The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-01-17

wines 10 Ine troops DiifeLeu all around.
Two estaminets (Frencn saloons)
were stili open and did thriving busl-
ness
occasionally a shell would burst
IN the village. but the civilians did not
seem TO mind ii; just carried on with
their farming and business as usual.
1--WE decided to make q thorough
search Of all houses, barns and build
ings for concealed wires, and did so,
but with barren results. Nothing sus-
picious was found. This search vast
ed five days, and we were I'm despera-
tion. Watch and question ais we would,
not single clue came to light.
During this time two large bodies
OF troops had passed through and each
time they were heavily shelled, with
dire results.
On the sixth night Of our assign
ment, utterly Disguised !, being In
charge, had decided to chuck up the
whole business and report back to
Old Pepper that we had made mess
out Of the investigation. My partner
pleaded with me to stick 1t out cou-
pie Of days more, and after he gave
me vivid description Of what Old
Pepper would hand out to us decld-
ed to stick II out for six months, IL
necessary. To celebrate this decision
my slde-klcker offered to blow to sew
eral rounds of drinks. Now, this fell
low had never, during my acquaint-
ance with him, offered to spend a ha'.
penny, so / quickly accepted his offer
and we went to the nearest estaminet.
Sitting around long table, drink
Ing French beer and smoking cigar
cites, was crowd of soldiers, laugh
ing, Joking, arguing and telling stories.
1--WE sat down at the end of the
table, and In low tone tried to work
impossible theories as to how the spy,
II there was one-by this time we
were doubtful-could get the informa-
tlon back to the German batteries.
Right across from us were two
soldiers arguing about farming. Sud-
denly my slde-klcker pinehed me on
the knee and whispered:
Listen to what those two fellows
across the table from us are saying. It
sounds good"
II listened for about minute and
then paid no further attention. AT
that time farming in no way interested
me. I wanted to catch that spy, and
started deyislng impossible theories as
to the ways and means of doing so.
AT last ! gave up In disgust. My part
ner was still attentively listening to
the two across the table from us. An
other poke in the knee from my part
ner and was all attention. One of the
fellows across the way was talking:
""Well, don't see why this French
blighter should change horses in his
plow every afternoon. I've watched
him for several days. Now, in the
morning he uses two grays, and then
about two In the afternoon he either
hooks up two blacks or gray and a
black. French ways may be different,
but this frog-eater is very partial to
the colors Of his team. He works the
grays all morning and then changes
them In the afternoon. Now, figure 1t
out for yourself. He starts work with
the two grays about six o'clock in the
morning; works the two beggars up
till noon. That's six hours straight.
Then he sticks them In the stable, lays
or for two hours. and in the afternoon
about two o'clock the new relay Of
animals comes on and works up till
four. Now, anybody with any brains
In their nappers knows that is no way
to keep horses in condition, working
one team over six hours and the other
team only two hours. l know, because
we have been farmers in our family
back In Blighty for generations"
" I was all excitement, and great
hope surged through me that at last
we had fallen on the clue that we were
looking for. Restraining my eager
ness as much as possible l addressed
the fellow who had just spoken:
"t"Well, mate, l don't like to intrude
into your conversation. but I've also
been farmer all my life and don't
see anything queer in the actions of
this French farmer"
"'He answered. "well, blime me,
there might be reason for this
bllghter doing this, but 1 can't figure
i out at all. If you can explain 1t, go
ahead"
At answered: "well, perhaps If
you can give little more details about
I. 1t would be easy enough to explain.
Who Is the farmer, and where is his
Farm locatedT
"He swallowed the bait, all right,
md informed me that the farmer was
blowing a field on a hill about 1--WE
yards west of the church at a |
POINT where our troops were being |
shelled.
Buying a round of drinks, I |
Judged my partner and he came In on
he conversation, The two OF us, by |
idroit questioning, got the exact loca- !
ion Of the field and description of |
Inc farmer.
81 pretended 10 be sleepy, and, |
fawning, got up from the table, say
ng that was going to turn Ia, and |