The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-09-27

(there wers plenty of them in the old
house). and SIT down for the spider to
come down and get him. But always 1
pictured myself in the same predica-
ment and rescued the fly just as the
spider was about to grab him. Several
times when things were dull l was
tempted to see the tragedy through,
but perhaps the same Providence that
guided me safely through all perils
was guarding, too. the destiny Of those
flies, for / always weakened and the
amusement.
The house was well supplied with
books-in fact, one Of the choicest IL
braries l think l ever saw-but they
were all written either in Flemish or
French. could read no Flemish and
very little French. I might have made
little Roadway with the latter. but
the books all seemed too deep for me
and gave 1t up. There was one thing
though that l did read and reread
from beginning to end; that was a
New York Herald which must have ar
rived just about the time war was de-
clared. Several things In this in
terested me, and particularly the base
ball scores, which / studied with as
much care as real fan possibly could
an up-to-date score. I couldn't refrain
from laughing when I came to an ac-
count Of Zimmerman (of the Cubs)
being benched for some spat with the
umpire, and it afforded me Just as
much interest three years after 1t had
appened-perhaps more-than some
current item of worldwide interest
had at that time.
l rummaged the house many times
from cellar to garnet in my search for
something to eat, but the harvest of
three years OF war had made any sue
cess along that line impossible. I was
like the man out in the ocean In boat
and thirsty with water everywhere but
not drop to drink.
l was tempted while In the city to
go to church one Sunday, but my better
judgment told me it would be q useless
risk. OF course, someone would surely
say something to me and 1 didn't
know how many Germans would be
there or what might happen, SO / gave
up that idea.
During all the time was concealed
In this house / saw but one automobile
and that was German STAFF officers
That same afternoon I had one OF the
frights of my young life.
had been gazing out of the keyhol,
as usual when heard coming dowr
the street the measured tread of Ger
man soldiers. 1t didn't sound like very
many. but there was no doubt In my
mind that German soldiers were
marching down the street. went up
stairs and peeked through the window
and sure enough squad of German In
fantry was coming down the street
accompanied by a military motol
truck. hadn't the slightest idea tina
they were coming after me, but still
the possibilities of the situation gave
me more or less alarm, and l consid
cred how I could make my escape Il
by chance I was the man they were
after. The idea Of hiding in the wine
cellar appealed to me as the mos
practical; there must have beer
plenty Of places among the wine keg!
and cases where man could concea
himself, but, as matter Of fact, dit
not believe that any such contingenc,
would arise.
The marching soldiers came nearer
l could hear them at the next house
In a moment l would see them pas
the keyhole through which 1 was look
ing.
Halt"
At the word of command shouted b,
a junior officer the squad came to at
tention right in front of the housed
waited no longer. Running down tn
stairs l flew into the wine cellar an
although it was almost pitch dark
the only light coming from a gratin
which led to the backyard 500
found a satisfactory hiding place i
the extreme rear Of the cellar. l ha
had the presence Of mind to leave tn
door of the wine cellar ajar, figurin
that If the soldiers found a closed doc
they would be more apt to search fo
fugitive behind it than if the doc
were open.
My decision to get away from tha
front door had been made and carrie
out none too soon, for had only jus
located myself between two big win
cases when l heard the tramp Of so
diers' feet marching up the front stool
crash at the front door, q few hast
words of command which I did not I'll
derstand, and then the noise of scu
rying feet from room to room and sue
banging and hammering and smasl
ing and crashing that I could not NAL
out what was going on.
If Euyliger had revealed my hidir
} place to the Huns, as 1 was now Co
fident he had, felt that there was u
tie prospect of their overlooking m
They would search the house from e
to bottom and, If necessary. raze it