The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-08-15
CELEBRATE ON l4TH
FRENCH INDEPENDENCE DAY
ALSO w JULY,
Anniversary Not Heralded with Fir.
Ing Of Pistols and Crackers as
in America, But Reiole-
ing Is General.

~ FNNNNAN ANNN hHh NhlAAhF
ing Is General
independence day In France is
/ celebrated IN the same month-fervid
Juiy-qs in the sister republic with
whose early struggles she so cordially
sympathized. but on the 14th Instead
of the 4th. says the Cincinnati En-.
Quirer.
But no firing OF pistols and banging
of crackers arouses weary sleepers
before dawn and makes the air heavy
with the fumes OF powder. Early in
the morning, from all parts OF the
country. trains fairly packed with
Observation-Disclosures all the railroads OF.
fer reduced prices-bring crowds to
throng the streets OF Paris, which Is
adorned with flags for their reception.
Every shop is closed. Some Of the
theaters give free performances. The
little tables on the sidewalks outside
the cafes are crowded with people sip
( ping wine. beer. coffee or lemonade.
The cafe. the club OF middle-class
Freedman. Is the center Of celebra-
ton. There IS an atmosphere OF gen.
eral good humor even where the
crowd is denser; rude elbowing and
i0suing are extremely rare and when
they do occur the offender is not apt
10 be Of French nationality.
During the afternoon. IN the direc.
ton Of the suburbs. dancing In the
streets Is frequently seen. not only
by the lads and l~assies, but rotund
middleaged and even elderly people
joih'the couples, whirling around with
genuine enjoyment, If little grace.
Here. too, are the games one would
expect TO find at a rustic fair. At
the corner Of two streets near Mont
martre, at last years celebration. rose
a tall creased pole. surrounded near
the top by a circle. A prize was Of
fered to the lucky climber who
touched il and comical were the fran
TIC struggles &c reach the goal IS one
after another made the attempt ia
vain. At last. when these various IN
successful trials had doubtless rem
dered the pole less slippery. a slender
lad OF 16 came forward and slowly.
but surely. worked his way upward
till he touched the ring.
Peals OF laughter from a neighbour.
ing group drew attention 10 a little
party Of street gamins. From a beam
above their heads. hung. twisting
slowly. an iron saucepan. on whose
bottom. imbedded In half an inch OF
SCOT and grease, glittered small silver
coins, These were the prizes OF any
boy who. with his hands tied behind
his back. was agile enough 20 pull
them on with his teeth. The sight
Of the little urchins. their faces COW
cred with black streaks and smears.
as they jumped and bobbed for the
money swaying above their heads.
was one Of the most amusing sights
OF the day.
No matter how hot July Il may be.
II does not prevent the assembling OF
the pleasure seekers. and. as the long
summer twilight began, the crowds In
the streets grew greater. On this
one day OF the year. after a certain
hour. no cabs are allowed on the
~bouleyards. whose wide expanse Of
pavements Is converted at short In
tervals into improvised bathrooms. As
the evening shadows close In rows OF
small gaslights outline the facadcs
OF all the public buildings and. waver
ing In the light breeze. produce a
wonderfully beautiful effect
Now the crowd drifts in the direc-
ton Of the Seine. near which there Is
20 be a superb display OF fireworks
The bridges, which would AFFORD the
most unobstructod view Of the whole
scene, are. unfortunately. closed TO
the public. but all along the banks
stand crowds Of people. waiting with
importurbabio good nature for the
commencement OF tho spectacle and
then. watching with the same un.
rufhed patience the brilliant colors
reflected from sky and river I'm tho
last tinge fades from tho calm water.