The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1906-06-27

from young man of twenty with his
mother, unless it is arranged with the
family beforehand. The hostess, woman
of at least forty years, is teacher; one OF
her pupils is boy fourteen years old and
she must have maid in the room during
his lessons or the proprieties would be
outraged. Going to call on French
woman, we are requested to walk on
tiptoe and speak softly when passing a
closed door, as the pet cat is asleep. At
the close of our call the madame said,
"Fitine will probably waken about two
o'clock; if you come then you may see
herr" so, as it would be considered al
most insulting to neglect such an invita-
tion, we return in state to pay our re-
spects to the cat AS housekeepers we
are interested in the laundry operations.
In high tub, under spigot of cold
water, is inserted one end of long
plank. On this plank is spread soiled
garment which is soaped thoroughly,
then scrubbed with a scrubbing brush.
A tter this it is rinsed in very blue water
aud hung up, no hot water being used.
The clothes are soon washed to bits, but
the ironing is beautifully done.
One great charm of Partisan life in
sumner is the number of attractive little
excursions possible. One afternoon our
party went with some friends to st.
Cloud. An hours ride on one of the
little steamboats, plying up and down the
Seine brought us to the picturesque spot.
The Seine is crooked stream, winding
through lovely country dotted with
villages and summer cottages and villas,
the latter looking like toy houses or like
over-dressed French giils with their
elaborate decorations. One we noticed
had roof garden with vines hanging
from the caves far down the walls. From
another on the brow of hill the Ameri-
can and French flags were flying. The
grounds of the old palace of st. Cloud are
preserved much as in the days of the
Bonapartes, except that the fountains
play only on two Sundays of the month
and on certain holidays, while many of
the statues from the gardens were de-
stroyed when the palace was burned in
1871. Aside from its historic interest,
the place is now noted for its military
school and school for the propagation of
system of international weights and
measures, the institution being opened
by France, though the leading nations
of the continent contribute TO its support.
The terrace adjoining the palace grounds
overlooks Paris and miles of the beau
tiful Seine country. After resting here
an hou- and being photographed by one
of the party, we started, as the sun was
setting, for walk through the magniti-
cent forest. Bride paths running every
where brought vividly before our imagi
nation the former occupants of the place,
and we seemed to see Marie Antoinette
and her court of beautiful women and
knightly men riding or strolling under
the great trees or lettering by the lakes or
fountains dotted here and there. After a
half hours walk we came upon little
hut; outside, under a wide spreading
bush, was tiny charcoal stove with ta-
BILE of cooking utensils beside it, while
under clump of horse chestnuts was an
oil cloth covered table, with chairs and
benches. Here, facing the gorgeous sun
set and listening to the birds even song,
we ate our simple but deliciously cooked
dinner, prepared before our eyes. AS
the shadows heightened the old woman
blew up the charcoal fire with hand
bellows and the glow on her face and re-
Elected from her copper saucepans made
picture for an artist. While waiting for
our salad, one of the party stepped into
the afterglow and sang sweetly French
ballad. Our woman moved gently and
gathered the dishes quietly and when the
singer returned complimented her and
spoke understandingly ofthe song. After
our coffee and many smiling farewells
and good wishes from our entertainer, we
strolled back through the forest by
moonlight to the little village. Then on
the top of an electric car or tram we fol-
lowed the lights of the river to the city
we have all learned to love.
II ~