The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-17
On & CO. III. P. WATSON & CO. H. P. WATSON & CO.

them, but there was Immediately an out
cry on behalf of those interested, which had
the result of obtaining a vote from the
Municipal Council disappearing of the de-
cree. The minister of public works has
now, consequently, allowed a delay of five
years for their gradual removal the reason
given for this measure being the increased
traffic on the river. A strong argument in
favor of removing them is to be found in
an accident which occurred only about ten
days ago, when the haWser of a barge be-
ing tugged up stream broke and the barge
was carried by the current against float
ing washhouse, which it swept away and
swamped. nearly drowning a whole batch CT
blanchisseuses. Len
That caiamIty, however. by no means rec
onciles the maids and matrons of the lie
de la Cite TO the prospective suppression of
their floating lavatories. Gervaise and
Ninette are furious against the authorities,
wishing that they had them on the beat
ing boards to pound and flatten with their
wooden bats. Five years is no doubt a long
time in such a place as Paris. and many
things might happen to save the wash
houses before their expiration. But the bare
apprehension of abolition oisturbs and in
furiates the ladies who have habitualy
used these curious constructions, and 4oud-
er to-day is the chatter and fiercer the clat-
ter all along both banks of the Seine: as
the garrulous Frenchwomen discuss their
official warning. and think darkly of a time
when the familiar and friendly river will
flow for them in vain.
And truly. all travellers must more or
less sympathize with Gervaise and Ninette,
and their companions. Municipal reform is
iShing from the face of modern life every
thing which was artistic and interesting.
IL runs the Stone-rOller of utility over all
the pretty old fashions and quaint daily
customs of city and country. 1T was a picA
ture ready made for the tourist when he
stood upon one of the Paris bridges or
sauntered along the quays of the Seine and
watched those rows of lively brave. indus
trious FrenchWcmen humping and sluicinS
and beating and twisting and folding the
Parish wash How they worked on their
strong knees, bare-headed and Short-skirt-
ed with the river sparkling along to carry
off their suds. laughing and chattering,
flashing loud scandal and jokes and keen
market repartees from blackboard to buck
board and fiinging back in merry scorn TO
the people on the harges and steamboats,
the badinage of PariSl Or you might wan
der along the bookstalls of the quay, and al
sunset see the girls and women troop up
the steps to carry their wash home stout
fearless. contented workers every one
with great arms and hips-clean as mother
of-pearl with the constant ablutionS of the
day. and sure of a pot-au-feu and bowls of
ca fe-au-iait for the household Are all these
honest folk, with their bright groupings and
picturesque ways, to vanish from the banks
of the Seine, in order that the Mouches-
the two-sous steamboats-may have more
room and the wood and wine barges pass
more easily We shall not believe i'll the
abolition until we see it effected