St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-10-10
rIr. CIapp's Letter.
The News of America as Europeans Get
1.-THE End of the ExpOsitiOn-A
Striking Review of Current Events.
Correspondence of the {

are wearing crowns Oh HcSu suoW, IhC
vines in the valleys have been blackened
with frost, the forests, mass OF green
in June, are now sprinkled with red,
brown, yellow and gold, and for days,
long professions of cattle and sheep,
with their musical bells, have wound
through the streets on their way from
the high mountain pastures to feed in
the valleys where the crops Of grass and
wheat have been gathered, and where
the fast ripening corn tells of other open
ings for focks and herds little later
on. The mercury at morning and evening
is getting toward the frost line, in the
zone of open fires and overcoats and so
we follow the lead of the shepherds, and
tonight sleep 1900 feet nearer the sea-
level at "Lourdes.'
This wild spot in the Pyrenees has
grown upon US in attraction, daily, and
we leave it with regret, but so resolved
to revisit it, that pet kitten OF rare
beauty and great talent, leased for the
season of an old peasant woman, has
been returned under a conditional renew
al contract for the season of 1901. Why
place lowered so richly with striking
natural scenery, so cool when other sum-
mer resorts are baking with heat, with
avn,,re;Oac and
charming, with hotel, the Baudot, so
clean, and a cuisine so excellent, why,
such place so accessible and at an atti-
tude of only $500 feet should be little fire.
quented, when places like "St. Morltz"
and "Cortina" higher by 5000 feet,
should be crowded is a freak of fashion
for which there is no logical solution. If
some Shakespeare had only been born here,
or if now some American millionaire
should find here cure for refractory
nerves or sluggish liver which had re-
sisted the healing virtues of Homburg or
Carlsbad or Vichy, then Faux Chaudes"
would come to the front, aud the fashion
able, but crowded and hot watering
places Of the continent would find in this
quiet corner OF Europe dangerous rival.
Not one American have we seen since our
arrival One was reported five miles
away, but as his name had German
flavor, we hardly think he could qualify
for membership in the New England So
ciety of New York. Some sensible and
cultured English and French families have
contributed their full share to the social
charm of our summer life. We have had
no casino or ball room designations, no
bicycle or automobile races, no golf tour
naments, no strolling musicians or tame
bears for diversion,
The morning and afternoon mail has
been our only excitement and this
has given us the Times SO hours old, the
New York Herald, Paris edition, "a
hours old, and the Malta Chronicle four
days old. The Times gives us in a
serious style the important news of the
world, but the Herald fills it's columns
with social gossip from Newport and Bar
Harbor and the names of rich Americans
who are daily seen dining at the swell
restaurants in London and Paris. One
day it tells us that the social relations
between Mrs. "Oil-Rich" and Mrs
Oyster" of Newport are severely strained
and that society is convulsed. The next
dav a cable to the Herald announces q
peace between these society leaders. that
they have been seen in friendly inter
course at the Casino. and all Newport
breathes easier. Another day the cable
announces that the beautiful and fashion
able Mrs. "Big.Swell" has been stung
by a bee and her swollen finger gives
her much pain. We have never learned
the condition of the bee or it's victim
since this sad item in the Herald. An
other day an important space is given tC
the "bubbling" performances of "Mr
Wander Billions" and it is stated that hi.
wife after his winning an automobile
race was so overcome with joy that sh'
rushed to him and embraced him will
kisses. This scene recalled my sensations
when was old enough to appreciate thu
story Of the prodigal son. The las
most important news was that "Mrs
Petroleum King" who had just returnee
from Europe wore the largest diamonds
and the most fetching costume" at {
recent ball at Newport. With so mucl
that can be said in favor of the Herald
it's wonderful enterprise in getting tn
earliest news, and in presenting it in tn
most readable form, it is pity that it
columns should be so largely absorbed
by trifing gossip regarding people Q
whom the great world knows little AM
, cares less. have not invented what
have written (the names only excepted
and it is this sort of journalism whic
: makes Americans the laughing stock {
the sensible world. 1t is refreshing afte
, reading such nonsense to turn to tn
| solid Times. 1t may lack the theatrics
and hysterical element which noder
. journalism thrives on, but is good soil
food, and for a steady diet, give me tn