Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-01-17

was rich harvest to be reaped fron
the sale Of farm produce, beer AM
wines to the troops billeted all around
Two estamfnets Frencn saloons
were stin open and did a thriving busi
ness.
Occasionally a shell would burs
in the village, but the civilians did no
seem to mind it; just carried on will
their farming and business as usual.
1--WE decided to make a 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 in despera
ton. Watch and question as 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, I, being In
charge, had decided to chuck up the
whole business and report back to
Old Pepper that we had made a mess
out Of the investigation. Ny partner
pleaded with me to stick It out a cou-
pie of days more, and after he gave
me vivid description Of what Old
Pepper would hand out to us I decid-
ed to stick it out for six months, if
necessary. To celebrate this decision
my side-kicker 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 I quickly accepted his offer
and we went to the nearest estaminet.
"'Sitting around long table, drink
ing French beer and smoking cigar
cites, was a crowd Of soldiers, laugh
ing, joking, arguing and telling stories.
"'We sat down at the end of the
table, and in a low tone tried to work
impossible theories as to how the spy,
if there was one-by this time we
were doubtful-could get the informa-
ton back to the German batteries.
fright across from US were two
soldiers arguing about farming. Sud
denly my side-kicker pinched me on
the knee and whispered:
'"Listen to what those two fellows
across the table from US are saying. It
sounds good"
"I listened for about a minute and
then paid no further attention. At
that time farming in no way interested
me. I wanted to catch that spy, and
started devising impossible theories as
to the ways and means of doing So
At last I gave up in disgust My part
ner was still attentively listening to
he 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 |
0lighter should change horses in his
'low every afternoon. I've watched |
MIN for several days. Now, in the |
morning he uses two grays, and then
lbout two in the afternoon he either
hooks up two blacks or a gray and
black. French ways may be different,
ut this frog-eater is very partial to
he colors of his team. He works the
rays all morning and then changes
hem in the afternoon. Now, figure it
'ut for yourself. He starts work with
he two grays about six o'clock in the
morning; works the two beggars up
i'll noon. That's six hours straight.
Then he sticks them in the stable, lays
If for two hours, and in the afternoon
bout two o'clock the new relay of
nimals comes on and works up till
our. Now, anybody with any brains
4 their nappers knows that is no way
0 keep horses in condition, working
ne team over six hours and the other
cam only two hours. know, because
re have been farmers in our family
ack in Blighty for generations"
at was all excitement, and a great
ope surged through me that at last !
e had fallen on the clue that we were {
'oking for. Restraining my eager (
ess as much as possible 1 addressed I
lie fellow who had just spoken:
go Jewell, mate, don't like to intrude {
Ito your conversation, but I've also f
cen a farmer all my life and I don't @
e anything queer in the actions of q
lis French farmer. S
" He answered: swell, blime me, 4
ere might be q reason for this L
lighter doing this, but I can't figure
out at all. If you can explain it. go {
Iead." n
"T answered: "Well, perhaps If
u can give little more details about l.
it would be easy enough to explain. a
no is theI farmer, and where is his Il
RIM locatedT ii
. He swallowed the bait, all right,
d informed me that the farmer was c,
owing a field on a hill about five el
ndred yards west of the church at q.
int where our troops were being W
eHed. o,
Buying a round of drinks, I al
dyed my partner and he came in on ST
: conversation. The two Of US, by 81
rott questioning. got the exact loca- 81
% of the field and n Dissertation of