New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-12-27

The cafes for the most part closed The restaurants
have vands to offer 70 the pleasure and are
also Dramatically sealed We recognize the proprietor OF
one, at which some 80 years ago dined dearly and
badly. He is an "old, old man" now, but blum and
strong wthal He stands at his door smiling xedy,
as OF yore. We draw up and accost him. and he s i'm
mensey charmed" TO recognize He is sufficiently
hosptabe 10 invite to refresh ourselves which we
do accordingly, with the now popular bters anauseous
compound Of aloes and sham sherry which Is commonly
supposed 70 impsrt appetite, but which am honestly
bound to affirm took any had completely away. "Un-
fortunately" said host, have nothing TO offer you
TO eat: except horse" His smile ghastly. weshook
hands with.Ihim, somewhat doefully, and proceeded
on our way. / hope, nevertheless, to revisit my
friends establishment, when borse1esh is no more an
esteemed Wand and shall be replaced by civilized beef
calf, mutton Oh! for a good chop! On approaching
the POnt de Sevres lDd barrcade constructed OF
atone, earth, timber, and turf Here my friend pro
ceeded to the persons he had TO see and after SEINE two
hours investigation considers that the officer referred
20 establish defense which will lead to his acquittal
But by this time is late 10 return to Paris for the
gates viii be closed We, therefore, conclude TO dine
where can and our first impulse ia to beg meal Of
the officers duty in the town. As, however, every
body expected to contribute his quota to the feast we
first seek the whereabouts Of certain journalistic friends
and having discovered them, and been most heartily vel
coined returned ito the officers quarters confess
horseesh soup with abundance Of fresh vegetables
ad Lbiiun and gherkins, is not detestable Must
confess TO Tabitha Alas Pussy genuine pussy dressed
with mushrooms, and white wine, and onions, is excel
lent and when come dOwntO notover particular about
eating point again. shall know what game to select
Our entertainers literary men, all OF them, and
stationed here They belong to the scouts of the Seine
and make night excursions TO discover what the Prus
slams are about Many Of their comrades lie in the am
balances some in the grave. The survivors speak OF
hnt arpf
the same fate Coffee brings close TO 10 O'Clock, when
sOblot comes lin. Something up, captain" he says,
addressing host We hear shot, then two, then
several Beside my friend and myself we number seven
I'VE must what is doing yonder," observes
tie captain quietly. "win friend accompany us"
he continues, addressing my colleague. My reply
Affirmative. Ihave weapon, and if had should
probably it, Mycoeague is in the same position,
and we agree to follow friends dScreey. The party
except ourseves-duly armed, goout into the night.
There no moon the pursuing their ordi
nary avocaton and brightly shining for the reason
given the song We make Ourwayto the barrcade al
ready referred to- and the captain answering the chal
lenge Of the sentinel presently beckon forward st.
Cloud is before Climbing the nights opposite, and
the river where was yet daylight we saw smoke
arising from three houses close 10 the church We
the flames, which every now and thon, famed
by smart breeze, blaze up caprciOusy. High above
Oh the hillside nearly at the top, stands white house
u
my glass TO my eve, and fancy distinguish moving
shadow Just rs am going to ask my friend the cap
tain whether the form is OF substantial PrussaD,
am startled by bang my right, and almost instantly,
may say even simultaneously, the light disappears,
and all is darkness At the instant every man OF
our party ducks am unaware of any danger and don't
duck but am dragged down TO most uncomfortably fiat
position by a vigorous band behind at the same moment
when bullets driving through the air with
a peculiar whistle and whirr II if though big cock
roach, or multitude Of thom were buz2ing about your
ears Immediately after series OF reports reach us,
coming from each side, but no response is given
from the way We remain quiet for about fifteen
minutes, when, upon whisper from the captain, we
come 10 the perpendicular, and after few minutes
pause follow him. Our road is along the quay. We
meet friends Of the captains with whom he speaks In
whispers, and then pass We come TO an opening,
where the river is wide and where there is boat with
men ready their muied. The captain asks what is
going on and is told that everything is quiet but that
the enemy" has been at work "On the other side"
After parey he concludes 10 return and we reach
quarters somewhere about half past one. Our night
passed front Of huge fire Of logs, and not unpleas
antly Far into the small hours sleep overaRes u.s. and
we doze until knees begin 10 roast and our back TO
freeze Then wake up and presently doze again. and
thus remainder of the night passes until everybody
wakes himself with a shveI and becomes conscious IL
broad daylight and coffee would he desirable. The pre-
paraon OF this beverage is cOnded 10 practced hand
Having disposed Of breakfast at eight start on our
way back, via the Bots de BOulogne. Nothing can be
more desoate than the appearance presented by that
favorte resort Where the trees stood thick and flourish
ing in their green mantes ngy open spaces only are to
he seen the stumps OF the trees all sharpened point
as If they were prepared for general impaenent
The lake is deserted by its late aquatic inhabitants The
rare and the ducks geese, and wateTfowls OF
every kind been shot and eaten by the Mobiles and
the troops Soldiers encamped everywhere and as
ing coffee more are cleaning their weapons few
grooming the horses OF the officers. AS We reach the
Porte Maot number OF old women and many children
flock out and begin TO gather up brushwo0d. With the
yestauraeur Flets Gen Ducrothas taken up bis head
quarters Courers are already awaiting orders, and
others arriving. We inquire whether anything hesh
has occurred but the reply is negative. AS we
are outside we conclude TO make tour OF the barrier
II is simply impossible to recognize the localities Our
own habitation at LAvallos PerTet-quted past June
yeatago-has totally disappeared garden, trees every
yesge entire streets replaced by heaps OF rub
bish From 1.-THE ramparts the cannon frowns grllny'
and ehepdIde rise bar every passage 10 the gates,
which are not approached save by paisaded zg-zags
defended by immense and formidable barbados. AT
Saint Ouen we come upon three gun-Doats which have
sneakeddown from st. Cloud, and stationed here,
under the trees Of the park, awaiting orders Their fire
will make 1t rather hot for the Prussians at Argenteu,
and there is also battery of ship not far off which
will take time ana trouble 10 silence Leaving theee pe-
hind us push St Denis the principal streets OF
which are securely barred hut all the shops open
and business appears 10 be thriving Here the civilian
costume is the exception and one feels almost out Of
countenance under round hat aud in an overcost We
are surprised to find beef and mntton comparatively
abundant From st. Denis the way back TO Paris j. open
by rail- and adopting this mode OF conveyance We reach
our domcie late in the evening hut quite satisfied with
our trip and ready another at the very fret oppor
tunity.
One of the most curious features IN the present state Of
things is the IMMUNITY with which the maTketgardens
are robbed Within the last few days-only on the other
M P.is-lhe Prut.a took 90 firing upon The bands