THE CHAPLAIN'S DILEMMA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 233, 26 June 1919, Page 8

THE CHAPLAIN'S DILEMMA

ENTERTAINED BY PRINCE NAPOLEON. thaphiin-Colonel l< , . J. Miles, D.5.0., senior 0.P.1), chaplain of the A.1.F., liad a unique, if amusing, experience recently. He was coming back to Oharleroi from Ostend and Zoebruggc,' and stepped off at Ghent to see the treasures of the Bayou Cathedral, which include the glorious paintings of tho brothers Van l'iyck and Rysbrouck. Going to thb station to catch tho express to Bnibsels, lie found the train crowded out. Every compartment, corridor, lavatory, packed as tightly as the proverbial sardines with men. ■ 13ut the chaplain was determined to get on, and finally found himself riding oh the footboard of a "Voiture salon."

He had journeyed out a short distance when ihe train came to a halt, and the guard called Chaplain Miles to a firstclass reserved compartment, where a. well-built gentleman with iron-grey hair and a dark, heavy, and flowing nious-' taelie, said, "I am sorry that you have no scat; please do como in with me!"

The chaplain thanked him and climbed up, and liis host continued: "I am sorry that I did not know before! You should then have como in at once." , His English was' good, though stilted and lie spoke with a pronounced French accent. They talked of all tilings, French, Belgian, and English. He told his guest that he was Freuch, his wife Belgian.

He left his home in Brussels one day before tlie Germans arrived, had been in' England ever since, and was only now returning for the first tjme to Brussets since the armistice. "I must attend to my affairs," he said, "they have taken our revenues, but they could not touch our securities."

The chaplain drew the conclusion that his host was a merchant pnnce. He told him that his wife loved England, eo that she asked'hiin not to return to Brussels). When thb train arrived at the Gare du Nord, Brussels, Die head porter rushed along a/id opened (fie door. Tlio Chef do Gare swept off his cap; half a dozen officials bowed, and another half a dozen silk hats were lifted. His kind friend interrupted the chaplain's ilow of gratitude -by thanking him for his company, shaking liands and saying '.'Good-bye."

Outside a sentry-guarded private entrance to the station stood a fine automobile with engine running, the arms of Alsace-Lorraine on the bonnet. "The chauffeur doffed hit \cap, the procession of. silk-hatted gentry doffed their hats, the chaplain's newly-made friend entered, and was followed by .the Mayor. As the ear rolled away tho occupant waved his hand, gaily to the chaplain'." Then, as the silk-hattejd throng dispersed, Chaplain Miles turned to the stationmaster and asked, "Pardon inn, but who is that gentleman?" "TJie Prince Napoleon," he replied. "Ah! woe is me!" sighed the chaplain, "and I had been 'talking down' to him lo euable him to understand my tongue." * There was a great reception at the Holpl de Ville at night in the Prince's honour, and a torchlight procession, led by uiassrd bauds.. '