The spectator., 1919-03-04

United States and neutral. For thir- teen years I had been soldering but had never been under fire. In my imagination I could hear the guns booming on the western front. l ad- init I was a triie afraid; nevertheless ! had a great desire to get into the mix up. How could I get over? planned out many ways, but none of them were practical.
 One day while walking down Green wich street, New York, I passed an employment agency. Staring me in the face was great fiaring sign, 'AHorses for France" Under this 'Men Wanted" Here was my chance.
 Upon returning to my office I imme- diately got in touch over the telephone with two prominent men in New York whom I knew to be distinctly broadly. After outlining my desire. an appoint ment was made for me to meet cer- tain gentleman at the Hotel Astor at four o'clock that afternoon. l met him. He introduced me to a French ntan. At that time in my eyes a Frenchman was hero, a man to be looked up to, man fighting in the Great Cause. But now Frenchman te me is more than a hero. After being introduced I went up into the Frenchnan's room and talked over the matter of horses for France for about twenty minutes.
 Upon leaving the Frenchman I was told to report to him three days later, lof. bubbling over with enthusiasm and anticipation.
 During this interval of three days I mapped out story of my life to pre- sent to him upon our second interview. The eventful day at last came. and once more I was closeted with him. started to tell him my story. He Interrupted me by waving his right hand to the right and left. It re- minded me of the butts on a target range during rifle practice, when the man marking the target wigwagS a miss to the firing line. My heart sank. Then he spoke, and I was carried from despondency to the greatest height of expectation. His words "Pardon me, monsieur, I already Know your life,' and in an amazingly slaert time he told me more than I knew about myself. l had been care fully investigated.
 My instructions received from him are confidential, so I will not go into them. Anyway, he handed me an en- veiope and told me to follow out care fully all details as contained therein.
 I immediately went back to my of flee. opened the envelope and on a typewritten sheet I read: Report at Goldsmiths Employment agency. No. Greenwich street. Ship as an ordinary horseman and during voyage carefully follow the verbal instruc- fions received by you during our in- terview, making careful note of all de- tails immediately after happening. Be cautious in doing this. Upon landing in France report to the prefecture of police. Bordeaux, and to the letter obey his instructions. Good luck"
 l went home and put on my oldest clothes-an old black suit, olive drab shirt, pair of heavy army shoes and a woolen cap. 1 had let my beard grow and certainly looked rough.
 Going down Greenwich street slouching along, looking at the ground I ran plump into a young lady of my acquaintance. 1 had n feeling of af- fection for this particular young lady, but it soon. died out upon hearing her remark as I collided with her, 'If you cannot look where you are going, will have you arrested" Of course, she did not recognize me and l took no pains to argue the matter with her. I was glad enough to slink by.
 When I came to the agency there was long line of buns, two and three deep, trying to ship as horsemen for France.
 It would be impossible to get a rougher and more unkempt gathering of men. It looked as if some huge giant had taken a fine comb and care fully combed the gutters of New York.
 fell into this line and waited my turn. Upon arriving at the desk, in front of me sat little fat. greasy Jew. To describe his manner of han ding the men as being impolite would be great exaggeration. The way he handled that line of human cattle would do the kaiser's heart good.
 It came my turn, and this conversa- fiOn ensued:
 "What do you know about horsesY'
 answered: "Six years in the United States cavalry"
 The Agent: What regimentsT
 Eleventh and Twelfth"
 You're n liar. You never saw the cavalry"
 I felt like punching him on the nose but did not do so. l wanted to ship as q horseman. I showed him my