Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-01-03
Copyright. 1917. by Tho Mcclure Sewspape per
JH0 synd!chtc)


1t was 1911. and the great world
war was on. and here was l in the
United States and neutral. For thir-
teen years I had been soldering hut
had never been under fire. In my
imagination ! could hear the guns
booming on The Western front 7 mi.
NIT l was trifc afraid: nevertheless
4 had great desire to get into the mix
up. How could get over? planned
out many ways, but none Of them
were practical.
Zone day while walking down Green
wich street, New York, / passed IN
employment agency. Staring me in
the face was IL great flaring sign,
"Horses for France" Under this
Men Wanted" Here was my chance.
Upon returning to my office immc-
diltely got in touch over the telephone
with two prominent men in New York
whom knew to be distinctly pro-ally.
After outlining my desire, IN appoint.
ment was made for me to meet Il ccr-
tain gentleman ut the Hotel Aston at
Tour O'Clock that afternoon. | met
him. He introduced me to French
man. AT that time in my eyes Il
FTcnchman was Il hero. Il man to be
looked up 10, :: man fighting in the
Great Cause. But now Il Frcnchman
to me is more than Il hero. After
being introduced | went up into the
FrcnchIanS rOUln and talked over
the matter of horses for France for
about twenty minutes.
Upon leaving the Frcnchman ] was
told to report To him three days later.
at the same time and place. | left.
buDbling over with enthusiasm and
anticipation.
During this interval of three days ]
mapped out Il story Of my Iif" to pre-
.cH; 20 him upon our second Interview.
The evcntful day at last came. and
once more | was cloSctcd with him. |
started to tell him my story. He
interrupted me by waving his right
hand to the right and left. 1t re-
minded me of the butts on target
range during rifle practice, when the
man marking the target wigwaGs
miss to the firing line. My heart sank.
Then he spoke, and ] was carried
from dependency to the greatest
height of expectation. His words:
"l'ardon me, monsieur. l already
know your life" and I'm an amazingly
short time he told me more than 1
knew about myself. / had been care
fully investigated.
My instructions received from him
Arc confidential so | will not go into
them. Anyway, he handed me an en-
vri0pc and told me to follow out care
fully all details as contained therein.
j Immediately went back to my Of
flee, opened the envelope and on Il
typewriter sheet I read: REPORT at
Goldsmith'S Employment agency. No.
- Greenwich street. Ship as IN
ordinary horscman and during voyage
carefully follow the verbal inStruc-
tionS received by you during our In
fcrvicw, making careful note Of all de-
tails Immediately after happening. BE
cautious in doing this. Upon lunIinS
in France report to the prefecture Of
police, Bordeaux. and 20 the letter
obey his instructions. Good luck"
l vert HON" ana put on my oldest
clothcS-an old black suit. olive drnh
shirt, pair Of heavy army shoes ana
WOODEN cap. ! had LET my beard grow
and certainly looked rough.
In passing through City Hall park.
New York, one secs many dCrclictS
of the human race sitting on the
benches. ! sat down between two of
these wrecks Of humanity ana en-
gagged them in conversation. trying To
blend into their atmosphere. About
ten minutes later Il policeman came
past md told the three Of us TO move
on. ] slOuCh"d away with the other
two. Telling them that | was going
out "panhandling," took my leave. but
not before one Of them made an APP
pcaling and successful touch for Il
nickel. The method used by him In sc.
curing that nickel would have done
credit to the greatest 1inancierS in the
country In putting through n deal in
volving millions.
Going down Greenwich street,
slOuching along, looking AT the ground,
j ran plump into II young lady Of my
acquaintance. ] had a feeling Of af-
lection for this particular young lady,
but IL coon died out upon hearing her
remark as | coIlIdcd with her, If you
cannot look whore You are going. ]
will have you arrested" OF course.
she did not recognize III" and ! took
no pains TO argue the matter with her.
was glad enough to stink by.
When ! came TO the agency there
was Tong line Of buns, two and three
deep. trying to snip as horsclncD FOR