Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1912-04-19

y
while" for the man who accompanies
you.
Indeed, some Of these self-styled
"interpreter-guides" have been resi-
dents of Paris for such short space
that their French vocabulary Is prac-
tically limited to those four words.
In the early hours of the morning.
after the guide has shaken hands
with the last cocher in front of your
hotel, you thank your companion for
his kindness in helping you to pass an
enjoyable evening. You may even
take pity on him on, account Of the
dull state of his business and surrep-
titiously slip half-louis into his re-
ceptive palm. He will not object. He
has spent twelve hours, more or less.
with you, and seems to have been
we'll acquainted wherever you went.
You are confident that he has saved
you money, and naturally you feel
grateful toward him.
The fact of the matter Is that he
has been driven all over the city at
your expense; he has lunched and
dined with you, to say nothing of the
midnight bite at the Cafe Weber; and
If you have spent the sum of 200
francs during the afternoon and eve
ming you may rest assured that gold
and silver amounting to some 80 or
100 francs-once yours-is safe in one
of the pockets of the guides fashion
ably cut trousers.
1t was one the privilege of the writ
er to listen to the absinthe inspired
condolences of a number Of American
guides" and panhandlers. A young
man wearing a frock coat and well
ironed silk topper approached the
table and begged for the privilege Of
a few words with me. His linen was
spotless-his story seemed flawless.
He had, so he said, been robbed in
Montmartre while seeing the town a
few nights before. He had cabled for
funds, but heartless landlord had
locked up his ten suits of clothing and
turned him into the street. Would
kindly come to his relief with small
loan for few days until the arrival
of his draft? He exhibited a typewrit-
ten cable message which looked prom
lsing, and the tears came to my eyes
as | thought of his predicament and
overpeppered my bouillon. r.
I'm sorry / can't help you out"
told him. you see, this happens to
De my third visit to Paris, and I've
heard all about these heartless land
, lords and delayed drafts before. Those
sleeve buttons Of yours ought to fetch
enough at the Mont de Piete to tide
you over for few days should you
be on the level"
The man in the frock coat was
about to stink away, when asked him
to join me and have an aperitif. Over
an absinthe-au-sucre he waxed conf.
Dental and told me his story.
You're wise, said he, as he sur
veyed the opalescent contents Of his
glass. There sure is bunch Of
American grafters over here having
pretty soft time. I've only been
over here two months. but some Of
the push have been here for years."
He helped himself to my cigarettes
and continued:
Paris is cheap place to live in. A
perfect dinner costs very little The
rent Of nice room is about half what
you have to pay in New York, less
than that once you can speak French
and know how to make a bargain.
Clothing of the best sort can be had
for song, and two-horse carriage
can be hired for about twice the price
Of carfare in the states.
"Pickings are good during the tour.
ist season, and the only kick that the
| boys have is on the French shoes and
cigarettes. Several Of the bunch i'm.
| port their own smokes. OF course,
the favorite graft is the American
tourist. He always has money, and is
over here to spend 1t and have a good
time. If We spin good yarn about
hard luck it's pretty easy to make a
touch" for louis, and most any
New Yorker will fall for a five-franc
piece"
81 used to keep a set of books in
Cleveland" another American CRATER
told me over glass Of Algerian "Bor.
deaux" in little brasserie in the Rue
Vignon. I'D saved a bit OF money and
felt too strong to push pen any long
er, so came over here to take in the
sights. went broke the third day
after my arrival, and as found 80
many people willing to help me I've
stayed here ever since. Paris Is all
right after you've lived here awhile
and know the ropes. I'm here going
on seven years now, and I expect to
| live here the rest Of my life."