Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-01
eAMssrrA.s HOLIDAY.
HOW HE PLAYS SINE-PINs AND DTvERTs HIMSELF
IN SWITZERLAND.
fClarens Correspondence of the Parisian.]


IN SWITZERLAND.
fClarens Correspondence of the Parisian.l
Switzerland Is O country OF complete neutral[
ty, and equality is as much OF a reality here as
anywhere. NJ. Gambetta, as soon as he arrives
strips OF the public man with determination
thai would discourage the most persistent inter-
viewer There Is no of1icious mayor or advanced
ThnTmdcfen to foment village manifestations
which end In Bengal lights and a retrdite dnr
EaHbedu executed by the village DOUlDiers and
the local fanfare. The Swiss, with their soft
hats and imperturable gravity, and the tourists
with their hurry or their BBdeker, do not trouble
themselves much about NJ. Gambetta. They may
say among themselves, I'M. Gambetta the great
French orator, is here. He isat the Cretes All,
there he Il"
The Presidents life indeed Is as simple as it
can be. Challemel-Lacour and some few other
political men are at the chateau but they are
all bent on dstracting themselves. NJ Gam
BETA condescends without difficulty TO become
len, or to vflleneuve by the steamer just other
folks do. He wears loose gray sun ana
stra. hat, and loafs about great deal on Ioot.
when he is at Les Cretes. The house. too is
managed very modeStly. Mime. Arnaud is sim
plicity and goodness itself. She is much loved
IN the village, both for her bounty AMI sim
plicity and her amiability. AS for walking in
she garden of the chateau, M. Gambetta does SO
incessantly From morning to night he IS Ike
the Wandering jew, and when he talks he never
misses an opportunity OF bringing in his refrain
on the beauties of the site, and OF then march
ing off triumphantly TO play at nine-pinS. Play
ing at nine-pins is indeed the great object and
occupation Of life at Les Cretes From morning
until night you hear the shock OF the pins. Be
large lawn surrounded by splendid chestnut
trees. 1t is there that the pins are set up.
II is now some time since legend began TO form
its fantastic cryStalliZationS around the name
Gambetta- We may therefore, be pardoned 70
narrating legend which has grown up in tn
country relative to the way in which NJ. Gam
BETA conceived liking for nine-pinS He was
walking one day with his secretary when he
heard the gathering of the pins ''what is that!'
he asked Wit seems m to be some play
"Nine-pinS." Yes ''Where can they be play
ing?" Probably in the cafe yonder, behind the
hedge" NJ Gambetta, so says the legend, made
lOund, and was in the back yard OF the Cafe
du Nord in less than no time. 1t was a miser-
able little cafe; the President watched two or
three strokes, then he began to talk with the
players. There was the postlnan: boatman,
and two or three vine-dreSsers. ''Will you let me
play with your suddenly asked NJ. Gambetta.
''Certainy," said the poStman, who had recoy-
niZed him. so the master OF the house was
brought out to make the game square, and a bat
tie royal was begun. After half an hours wild,
side was beaten, but not ANONYMOUSLY. Beer
was brought out, and the President paid the
score. When Nine. Arnaud heard OF this esci-
pade she laughed heartily, and at once ordered a
frSt-claSS game OF nine pins to be brought up to
the chateau Since then NJ. Gambetta has never
passed a day at Les Cretes without battering
trees, for forgot to tell the reader that the
chateau is built on the very spot where the bos-
q1Get d. JUite used TO be shown.
Last year and the year before, NJ. GambettaS
presence at Les CreteS was the signal for several
political refugees TO come to ClarenS and to make
every effort TO meet NJ. Gambatta as II by a;ci
dent. People here say that Rochefort whom
Gill recently showed us in In LINE R)"sS',
patiently waiting his turn. will put himself out
OF the way to catch GambaSta on the Steamar or
in the road. 1t is quite possible. When Mr..
Thiers used to visit here and colsecrate his
days to the delights OF fishing with rod and linz,
he was not unfrequently disturbed by the gen
tlemen whose exploits have made them the COM
panionS In exile OF the author of Ii LIateT1l".
This is not the place to trace a full-lengGh por-
trait OF Gambetta- 1t has been done over and
over again, and will still be done over and over.
All we will attempt is rapid silhouette. He Is
large. heavy man of medium stature. His dark
eye, soft and fatigued, brightens up by SnatcheS
His neck is powerful and his shoulders broad
He has DantonS neck on Vergn1audS shoulders.
His brow, surmounted by hair that is just turn
ing IRON gray and combed q In Dia6le-that is to
say, not at all-is OF remarkable beauty. He
will complete his fortyfrst year on April 2, 1889,
so that he is In the very prime OF life. His walk,
owing TO his obesity, is not graceful or easy.
At present NJ. Gambetta Is in perfect health and
he will doubtless return to Paris with a new
stock OF vigOr and energy for his approaching
Parliamentary campaign.