Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-06
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American. but a bountiful repast to boys
who had Jared they.
The theaters. OF course. were the attrac-
tons at night. and although II seemed
tortuous way at first into the pit. they
were soon well enough acquainted with
the ropes to be able to cope successfully
in the frantic struggle for front row
seats with the gangs Of burly cockneys
who infest the theaters and are seen night
after night at the same one. II the partic-
ular star playing happens TO obtain their
stamp of approval.
The eleven DAYS were only too short
Cor us" continued the wanderer. and
only because OF the sights We knew were
across the channel waiting FOR us to
visit did leave England for France.
The short trip across to the continent was
uneventful and we landed In France about
IL o'clock in the morning. We went i'm
mediately to Paris. Although the trip by
rail to the French capital was short. We
had our troubles and | for one wished
that | had put Just little more time
each evening on my French lessons while
al high school last winter.
Both Washington boys had made fairly
good averages in this language. and both
were confident that they could at least
make themselves understood when they
wished to ask question. but theE were
the appalled, recipients or a number or
large jolts to their pardonahle pride when
II only by the most pristine and abo-
riSinal methods of sign talk and gestures
hat they finally landed In Paris some
he was satisfied that the reason French
man shrugs his shoulders so frequently
while talking. and is so eloquent In II. IL
because he first becomes nervous, witch
ing wreck trying to make the thousands
Of foreigners who visit his country under
stand him. After the habit becomes fixed
he acquires the eloquence of movement.
Troubles in Paris.
I'VE registered at a small lodging house
lust around the corner from the station
we hadn't the nerve to go too far away
immediately-and secured two rooms at
three francs a day When the landlord
learned that we were together. and his
house becoming crowded, he let us both
STAY in a room for a sum which amounts
to 60 cents American money.
Our first real difficulty. which turned
out humorously. happened the night we
landed and decided to go to a theater.
Securing seats at a French playhouse Is
a tedious and killing performance.
The lines are formed by attendants and
each purchaser of q seat Is required TO
sign his name to a check which is kept by
the man in the box office and another
which is given to him for the identinca-
ton of his seat
.'Chaney got into line and finally reached
the window. He tried to make himself
understood, and after listening patiently
to a few minutes jargon said:
Tn take two
again he listened to what he thought
was the same tale from the ticket seller
and again lie answered:
"'All right. let me have two of them.
This happened third time. and he was
about to make the same reply when an
American. who evidently understood the
language came forward and said:
The ticket seller Is trying to tell you
that there is no performance tonight. The
show opens tomorrow.
I'VE had better luck at the next
theater."
The time was soon up. and on August
Is the boys stepped aboard a passenger
ship for home. thinking Of and planning
for the good times they expected to have
doing nothing but 'fussing" on the home
voyage. Here again they were doomed
to a bitter disappointment. They were
accompanied down into the hold in the
forward part of the vessel. and. having
been assigned to a single large room with
three antiquated and inhabited cots. were
informed sternly that they would not be
allowed abaft the bridge. However, they
took it phiosophically and were soon sell
tied The food. while nothing to boast or.
and of the kind that would cause much
growing IL served at home. was far, Tar
better than salt horse and 'cobs.
AS they journeyed to New York each re-
counted many times the experiences OF
the pat fortnight, and as they landed at
the wharf, Dick says he turned to Chaney
and said
We'll I've had a great time and am
glad l went but never again for mine. IL
I ever have son and he complains or MS
home surroundings, I'll send him abroad
on a cattle ship. No. don't think I'll stop
and sleep in a real bed and eat real
meal"