Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-07-14
BILL NYE In GAY PARIS
HIS FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE FRENCH
CAPITAL.
Psacs and Prosperity Hover Over the War-Scarsd
City-Tortured by Partisan Barber.
Annoyed by the Custom
House Officials.
Mem York Void.

EUROPE, LOOKING SOUTH, 1889. Paris
ia very gay. read in book many years
ago that Paris WAS very gay city. and
thought then that if ever visited the
place personally would speak of that
feature. l reside at the corner Of the
Bourse and the Rue de Hester street,
Northwest. II is quiet neighborhood.
More go than it was some years ago.
France at that time was engaged in totter-
ing OF her throne. The air was filled with
apprehension. Napoleon was attracting
attention in all its papers. John Darms
and dynasties rocked to and fro, Paris was
wild with excitement, war waged its wild
desolation, food became expensive, and
wild-eyed, panic-stricken Paris ate up one
livery stable after another.
Now peace and prosperity hover over
the war-scarred city. Beautiful bare
headed girls sail joyously down the won-
derful streets, and well-dressed French
gentlemen with good fodder under their
vests snap their fingers at dull care and
sit up till half past ten o'clock. Whether
the French initiates New York or New
York imitatee the French l cannot tell,
but of one thing am abso-
lutely certain, and that is that l
cannot tell the difference without hearing
the conversation. The prosperous French
man this summer wears pointed beard
and the very tough looking Daniel Web
ster plug hat seen on Broadway some
times 1t is the rockiest looking hat
ever saw, but it is gaining in favor every
moment, am sorry 10 say. The brim is
straight and wide, and, on the whole, it is
about as picturesque as bee-g gum struck
by club. If were to put one on and
wesr it across the Missouri river would
be Justly and righteously hanged before
night.
The young French women are generally
as pretty rs young American girls, l be-
lieye, and that is saying & good deal for
France, but the elderly French women are
not 60 picturesque, must cay. There are
too many of them VINO wear whlskers.
The BEARDED lady in sideshOw would not
attract attention in Paris, and am told
that many elderly French women shave. l
hope they have better luck with BARRIERS
than lad in Hsvre. Al the Hotel de
pEurope sent out for barber by using
some bosrding-school French and half a
franc on the garcon or hired man. made
him understand finally that l wanted
something done to my coughyour, as we
call it. My cOughyour is plain, as the
reader is perhaps aware.
Lately, in the language of L. G. Inger-
soil, it does not not take me so long to
comb my hair, bat good deal longer to
wash my face than i. used to. \ young
man came to the room bringing his weRp-
ons with him. We conversed with each
other pleasantly by means of signs for HI
teen or twenty minutes, with the under
standing on my part that what l said was
to 20 no further. Then lie took saucer
from the dressing-csse and stirred mp
some floating island" in it, This
he put on my face partly and psrtly OF
the inside Of it. After filing my mouth
and finding that he had considerable left
over he pat the rest on my face, and then
shaved me rapidly, but not so psinlessly
"a could wish. l have been shaved East,
West, North and South, and have also
been great sufferer from cyclones and
Indians, but there is az element Of cruelty
about French barber that we do not find
elsewhere.
The ride from Hayrs up the Valley OF
the Seine to Paris is delightful at this sea-
son of the year. Crops are looking we'll,
French huckwheaters are just getting in
their hay. 1. is heavy crop and is being
harvested without loss, the weather being
phenomenally fine. Farmers are feeling
q ute jubilant, as the prospects for good
Weld were never better. Crooknecked
squashes and all other tropical fruits are
exceptionally plentiful in France this year,
and, as l said before, the farmers are feel
Ing quite jubilant.