Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1907-08-24
CELEBRATE ON 18th
FRENCH INDEPENDENCE DAY
ALSO IN JULY.
Anniversary Not HeraIded with Fir
ing of Pistols and Crackers as
in America, But Rejoic-
ing Is General.


celebrated in the same month
July-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-.
'uuireT.
] sBit no firing of pistols and banging
of crackers arousea weary sleepers
before dawn and Elakes 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
ping wine, beer, coffee OF lemonade.
The cafe, the club of middle-class
Frenchman, is the center of celebra-
ton. There is an atmosphere of gen.
eral good humor even where the
crowd is denser; rude elbowing and
jostling are extremely rare and when
they do occur the offender is not apt
to 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 lassies, but rotund
middle-aged and even elderly people
join 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 circle A prize was Of
fered to the lucky climber who
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, slender
lad of 16 came forward and slowly.
but surely, worked his way upward
till he touched the ring.
Peals of laughter from a neighbor-
ing group drew attention to 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 off 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 IA 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
is converted at short in
tervals into improvised 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
beautiful effect.
Now the crowd drifts in the direc-
ton of the Seine, near which there is
to be a superb display of fireworks.
The 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
good nature for the
of the spectacle and
then watching with the same I'M
ruffled patience the brilliant colors
reflected from sky and river till the
last tinge fades from the calm water.