The Washington herald., 1912-09-15
Students Spend Day
In Historic Luxembourg
Interesting Adventures BefaH american Boys
Who Are Touring Europe on Bicycles-Thief
Steals Razor and Guide Book.

The following is the sixth of a series
of letters being written by nine Ameri-
can students who are travelling through
Europe on bicycles:
Luxembourg. July q. 1872
We left weIlin about $50 o lock in the
morning, expecting TO reach Neufcha-
teau for lunch. The first signboard told
us that we still had forty-three kilome-
ters to go.
Good" said George. Wen make it
early"
About 80 yards further on we passed
another signboard. This one read, "Neuf-
chateau-l kiiometers.
We sure are tearing OF the miles.
rnurrnured Mac. and shot away in tbs
lead. He presently rounded bend and
was lost to sight. Three miles more
and we found him leaning against his
bicycle dejectedly. while sign on the
outer side of the road explained his
attitude.
.'Neufchateau-H Kilometers," said the
sign.
Come on" We told Mac. There >
l'some mistake here. that's all" And we
rode hopefully to the next signpost.
which proclaimed in freshly-painted let
ters that Neufchateau was forty-fivs
kilometers distant We all dismounted,
and Jack proceeded to roll a cigarette.
Wed better give these signboards
chance to catch up with US he muir
INJURED. Mac and agreed with him. but
George took the opposite view.
No chance" he declared. you've all
got the wrong dope. Those signs have
somehow gotten ahead OF us, and It $
up to US to beat them out"
After a lengthy argument, We decided
that Jacks plan had been sufficiently
tried out, and getting on our bikes again
We rode to the next signpost at top
speed by way OF testing Georges. 1t
came Just before a long climb. and read.
'Neufchateau-45 Kilometers."
We're holding our own" Sasped
somebody, as We pedaled madly up the
hill.
On the other side was a coast of three
miles. Here we caught up with the sign
posts at last, and from there on the dis
tance to Neufchateau steadily declined.
Coast followed coast in rapid succession.
for we were now emerging from the
mountains and forest of the Ardennes
and descending to the comparatively
level plain on which Luxembourg is
found. Much as we looked forward to
sight of this grand duchy. so seldom
disturbed by tourists, we were sorry to
see the last Of the forest, which is alto
gether worthy to be the original Of the
mythical Forest Of Arden. From the
top of the last ridge we caught sight OF
Luxembourg on the far horizon, and
from then on the grand duchy figured
largely in our conversation.
Day In Luxembourg.
Before leaving Luxembourg We took a
look at the old Spanish towers. They
were not particularly worth seeing. but
an elderly gentleman. of whom We in
quired the way, gave US some very inter-
esting information about the fortifica-
tions.
They were, he said. the work Of many
centuries. and had by the middle of the
nineteenth century, assumed such pro-
portions that they were universally re-
garded as impregnable. earning Luxem-
bourg the proud title Of Gibraltar Of
the North" In 1857 France and Prussia,
fearing each that the other was about
to obtain possession OF this strategic
point, agreed by treaty that the fortih-
cations should be dismantled and a large
part OF them completely demolished
Hence their venerable appearance.
From fortificationD our talk drtfted to
more modern affairs. and, speaking OF
these, our friend gave us an interesting
little story of contemporary Luxembourg
history. 1t seems that there is large
fair held here annually. which is q neat
source Of profit to the city. and that last
year Its celebration was seriously threat
ened by the critical illness of the grand
duke Everybody prayed that his grace s
death would not bring the festivities and
money making to an untimely close, and
the old Duke William. patriotically join
ing In the general desire. succeeded, by
heroic efforts. in delaying his decease
until after the end OF the fete.
Here we said good-by to scrib. whose