New-York tribune., 1904-05-29
FRENCH VEHICLES.
They 4re, as Rule, Far More
Hea0y than american Ones.
Written The Tribune by the United States Consul
Rouen-

Upon first coming to France one is generally
struck with the methods of Iocomotion, from
the wheeIbarrow up to the automobile and rail-
way carriage.
All carts and wagons in Northern France are
cIumsily constructed and unduly large 1t is
not uncommon to see cart twelve or even M
teen feet long. mounted on two wheels six feet
in diameter carrying a load that requires five
horses. harnessed tandem, to move Il the
axles are always well creased. unlike those OF
the Georgia cracker who when asked why ne
did not lubricate. replied. What furT
ITO make the cart draw more easily
-Shoo! This yere OK doan mind ds 'ua
doan' know"
but it would stop that squeaklns-
"squeakin' doan hurt"
TT would save the wheels
"Shoo! This OF cart amt wuth savlh-
Didn't you ever grease it?'
~Once. A Yankee rode to town with me ana
bought me box of stuh
How did it work?"
-Mighty slick; but we'uns dun spread II on
hoecake, an eat it all up IN week
| One of the greatest objections to the FTench
cart of two wheels is the danger OF Ine noi9
| falling and when this occurs the carI naS q"
| snnaarance very much like that OF caIneA
standing on its hind feet with It's knees Oh '-s
| ground Occupants Of combined driving anu
| hauling carts often h-o
| rious positions. -. 49,
| fa.y mornings ago = horse fell in front OF my
borconv In the cart o which ne vas hslucsSeu
were a man and his wife. Between theIn Oh 'l-e
seat was little dog. and IN the rear In lne DouS
| =, +bo vabicIe a muzzled calf being taken %
market 1t was early hour ana al |-ie p -
man woman, dog. horse, and even the Ga-1'
| norant Of its impending fate, seelleu ~ 'eA
the morning sunlight The horse was going a'
-Ta
seemed N catch a strain OF happiness can
,av,a- forqet the picture as thought how typlca'
- r,s of this grand old Normandy. The viva
,vas wearing taunty smile; the husband III Ine
endowment Of the ever present cigarette helo
the lines proudly: the black dog. Win al Ihe
couposure his little body could command sat Up
between the two though master OF Ill NC
SURVEYED while there seemed not one wave u
t-o,bIe TO roll across the peaceful breast OF the
, poor mute calf
= Pr, suddenly with 4 slip Of the horses foot.
,ba scene was most disastrously dsarranGed
The man sat astride the fallen horse, the ca-I
had rolled out upon the woman. and around ana
? over II all frisked and jumped and oarked the
,o, as II beseechIng his companions 20 regain
r their dignity quickly as possible ms WIS
not aas, OF accomplishment, but at the end Of
half an hour or more order was restored and
the marty. cast down in spirits as well as body.
lsf, vim very different expressions from those
r worn when coming The horse walked very
r SLOWLY: the man had 4 cross look and dirty
clothes; the woman. with disheveed hair.
; 1ursed a sprained wrist; the calf beated with a
broken leg and the little dog afraid to risk
again such an exalted position. trotted along IN
the rear, and all pondered upon the truth OF
Solomon's saying. Pride goeth before fall"
: The oIdtIme covered wagon. so well known in
the South and West Of the United States. IS