The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1907-09-25
CELEBRATE ON 14TH
FRENCH INDEPENDENCE DAY
ALSO IN JULY.
Anniversary Not Heralde with Fir
inc OF Pistols and era .kers as
In America, But Rejoie-
inp 10 General.

Independence day in France 4,
celebrated In the same month-fervid
Juiy--as 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
excursionists-for 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 10 ..Jnade.
The cafe, the club Of midJle-class
Frenchman, is the center OF celebra-
ton. There is an atmosphere Of gen.
eral good humor even where the
crowd Is icoser; rude e'bOwing and
jos.i Z. az a., eMeiy rare and when
{ 10 cur the offender is not apt
" Of FRENCH nation Nifty.
ring the afternoon, n the dlrec'
ton of the suburbs, dl" ing in the
streets is frequently SEA. not only
middle-aged and even elderly people
Join the couples, whirling around with
genuine enjoyment. II little grace.
Here. too, are the games QUE would
expect to find at q 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 II and comical we're the fran.
tic struggles to reach the goal as one
after another made the attempt In
vain. At last, when these various I'M
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.
Pesls Of laughter from a neighbor.
Ing group drew attention to a little
party Of street gamins. From 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 to pull
them on with his teeth. The sight
OF the little urchins. their faces GOV.
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 II may be,
It 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
boulevards, whose wide expanse of
pavements is converted at short in
tervals into ir1provised bathrooms. As
the evening shadows close in rows of
small gaslights outline the facades
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
to be superb display OF fireworks.
Tho bridges. which would afford the
most unobstructed view of the whole
scene. are. unfortunately, closed to
the public, but all along the banks
stand crowds OF people. waiting with
imperturbable good nature for the
commencement Of the spectacle and
then watching with the same un.
rufi.ed patience the brilliant colors
reflected from sky and river till the
last tirge fades from the calm water.