Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-21
The American Visitors. Go to
tSt. Cloud.
Some Scenes and Incidents Of the
Exposition.
4 Sample Of French Polisness- Marrisst .
by the Wholesale.
Paris. June Is.


New England woman. Here, their ver-
sion Of the fourth commandment APP
pears to be: Six days shalt thou seek
pleasure, and on the seventh pursue 1t
frantically by day and night. Nearly
all great "fetes" occur Sundays, and in
order to permit all classes to partici-
pate, the Grand Prix." the most IA
nous of French races, is always APP
pointed for that day. We were con-
sOled for not going, by being assured it
was impossible to see anything, unless
in the most favored position. Much
has been told us concerning the dis
courtesy of the French towards Amer
leans, as well as English. Our ex-
perience has been totally the reverse,
as the following incident proves. We
were standing in the Bots. watching
the innumerable throng Of carriages on
their way to the races, filled with men.
women and little children. Respondent
in purple and fine linen" We We're
Obliged to turn away our heads. dizzy
and blinded by the incessant passing.
when some one near US exclaimed.
They are making way for the Presi-
dent" Chairs We're not to be had, the
multitude filling thousands. We tip
toed, craned our necks, all to no pur-
pose. Then it was that French polite
ness rose to the occasion, in the person
Of a French woman and her escort.
Rising from their chairs, they not only
insisted upon our standing on them
but assisted us to do so. The mounted
guards passed. then in an open vic
toria, handsome, gray-bearded and
portly, President Loubet. his wife be-
side him imposing in black lace over
white silk, with hat and parasol to
match. both bowling right and left.
grave and stately With profuse
thanks We left our chance acquaint-
ances, reiterating with conviction:
THE most polite nation on earth is the
French"
After days of incessant sight seeing
in the Exposition and about Paris. the
delightful change and rest of an after
noon at st. Cloud may be imagined. 1t
was compulsory, that from the seven
days of the week We should select some
Saturday to make our excursion, 1t
mattered not which one, for the year
round on Saturday afternoons from
two until six, tout lie monde" If it
pleases, can see a sight most thorough
ly French. This is the day the Partisan
workmen weds the blanchissense of his
heart. For dozens e couples the priest
ties the nuptial knot III Paris, then in
cabs-or picnic wagons, if funds are
limited, off for St. Cloud to spend the
honeymoon, which is condensed into
the afternoon. all the time that can be
spared from business. We have made
the trip by land and water. and give
the preference decisively to the latter.
Choose such a day as fell to our lot:
overhead. fleecy clouds floating in blue
ether; leave all care and trouble be-
hind: for few centimes board a Seine
boat, glide by river banks shaded by
double rows OF trees, while in the near
background the wooded hills make
charming landscapes. The cry
"Sevres, Sevres." brought us to terra
f1rma, but not to the rush and hurry Of
1900. We were in a time long passed as
We walked slowly along the shaded
paths of the old forest, the sunlight
Pickering through the trees. casting
faint shadows about us. Up, up the
terraced garden and before US in all it's
marvel of bridges and buildings, Paris,
the beautiful. There they come" ex-
claimed f. and looking down we saw
the bride, radiant in white satin, whose
lifted train disclosed snowy. lace
trimmed skirts, the bridal veil profuse-
ly adorned with orange blossoms all as
dainty as possible. The groom, looking
uncomfortably conscious OF his new
clothes and added responsibilities, led
the procession, the bride clinging to his
left I'm. and both waving small tri-
colored flags. Following came brides
maid and best man. the parents and
hosts Of friends. all carrying long sticks
wound with ribbons. which when flour
ished before ones face, shot out
lunches of red. white and blue paper.
There's another and another" we
cried excitedly. counting fifteen pro-
cessions. Breathlessly. We followed to
the inn to see the dancing and merry
making. all most CONNIE il fault"
laughing heartily when the children
shook the bridal favors in our faces.
Then the different couples were photo
graphed in various stiff and unnatural
positions, the band played merrily, all
making a typical French holiday. One
of the charms of our life abroad is our
complete independence Our horizon is
bounded by no dinner bell. We COM
pretended more fully our blessed con-
dition when we tried to plan some
pleasure trips with a friend. It's cof-
fee and rolls at eight. dejeuner at
eleven, luncheon at two. dinner at
SEVEN How can I go?'' Lifting our
voices in devout thanksgiving that our
days were not SO hedged about with
meals. We went our way rejoicing more
than ever in our two cool comfortable
apartments. where we had the privi-
1ege Of brewing our special brand of
tea. night and morning. dining when
and where We pleased. meeting and
knowing people and their customs. in a
way not possible to hotel sojourners
None but thrifty housewife can I'M
derstand the satisfaction of buying a
pint bowl full of radishes no larger
round than the little finger and half
its length. fresh from the garden for
three cents. What feasts of straw
berries and cherries for a few centmes
have we not enjoyed in shady hooks.
1t wasin the garden of the Luxembourg
one Sunday afternoon. after feasting
on pictures and statuary in the gallery.
That We made our first acquaintance,
under the tree-lined walks, With hot,
wafer-like waffles. sugar-powdered.
Transparent in texture. their delicious