The Washington herald., 1912-08-25

This Is the fifth letter to be printed
In The Washington Herald, telling oil
the experiences of a party OF nine
American students in Eutope. The boys
are making their expenses as they go,
and have many interesting narratives 10
tell Of their trip. Their experiences VIII
continue to be a feature of the Sunday
edition of The Washington Herald.
Yesterday the cold and dampness
woke US early, and we were on the road
by half past four, riding twelve miles
or more without seeing q town. When
at last we coasted into Chantilly, moth
ing figured in our thoughts but break
fast, and the quickest way TO get It
As we rode about looking for an inn,
Mac got separated from the rest OF the
party, but soon reappeared Joyfuiiy
with the news that he had discovered
a splendid place Just around the corner.
That sounded pretty good, and We foi'
lowed him hungrily. He led us straight
TO an official looking building In the
center OF the town. on the front OF
which were emblazened the arms OF
France, and underneath. In large. gilt
letters, the sign that had excited Mac
stomach so much, Hotel de VILE. At
this point our feelings overcame US
After the maledictions we heaped upon
him L don't think Mac will confuse the
town hall with restaurant again.
We found another "hotel' finally, and
yot our b-cakfa being charged the ex-
orbitant price OF one franc and seventy
five centimes each, but remembering
that We were still in the vicinity OF
Paris. We paid up without murmur.
This was the day OF overchargtng,
which almost eliminated in pitched
battle at Beauvais, where the price of
cherry pie took a rise OF 80 per cent In
the course Of consumption. We left the
baker loudly bawling for gendarme,
but as none materialized. / expect we
were right in putting it down to bluff
Sleeping in a 'haystack that night
Serb dreamed that the proprietor OF
the field appeared before him with a
gun, and demanded fifty francs for
lodging. He woke up, he says, in cold
sweat.
Had Argument with Gendarme.
We breakfasted next morning at a
little inn beyond Beauvais, where every
thing was wonderfully good, and no less
wonderfully cheap. Woody finished
breakfast before the rest Of US, and
took his pipe out on the steps. about
which our nine bicycles were stacked in
an imposing heap. Presently We heard
some excited conversation under the
breakfast window, and looked out. A
gendarme was inspecting our wheels,
and was asking Woody Why they had
no license tags or plaques" Woody,
whose knowledge is limited TO a few
stock phrases, was wishing him good
morning.
The Frenchman insisted that each BIZ
cycle should show a license number, and
Woody admitted that II was fine day,
but showed signs Of rain. Thereupon
l.ss ~ar1a nd fnl H.
ing the Virginian that he was under
arrest, beckoned him to follow, while
Woody expressed his thanks. but stated
that he never drank at that hour OF
: the morning. What the outcome would
have been we never knew, for George,
fearing a catastrophe, promptly inter-
Tered. and explained that as members
of the Cyclists Touring Club 1--WE had
joined it in London). We were not re-
quired TO license our machines. A
glance at our customs tickets was suf-
ficient evidence, and the incident was
closed, except for woody's puzzled in
quiry as TO what II was all about.
More Efforts Mt Conversntion.
Lille, Aug live left Acheux yes
terday in three parties with the under
standing that We would meet for lunch
in Arras at some restaurant near the
railroad station. Two attachments ar
rived before noon, but George and Doc
Cook one of the Virginians, were no
where to be found.
The meal was nearly over when George
showed up at last, with the news that
Doc had punctured his rear tire and after
many vain attempts to mend it had re-
signed himself to pushing his wheel into
town. George snatched a few hasty
mouthfuls bought new inner tube for
Doc at a nearby shop, and did the Good
Samaritan act by riding out to meet him.
II appears that he had stopped at
cafe after pushing his bike up a paticu-
larly long hill, and started telling his
troubles to his host as well as his French
would permit. AS his French consisted
altogether, however, of few words writ |
ten by George on the back Of an envelope, |
he did not get along very famously and |
relapsed into silence. He was about to |
depart when one Of the bystanders, who |
had been regarding him with interest. APP |
preached and with some effect wished |
him good morning in English.
What 'ees re mataire?' he asked by |
way of further conversation. Doc pointed |
10 his fiat tire.
'Engiishman?' inquired the linguist |
doubtfully.
NO. American" replied Doc and as
the stranger did not seem to understand.
America, America, the States, States.
you know"
oh ze States" cried the other waving 7
his hands excitedly, whereupon off he
rushes like mad. Back he sped with a
piece Of rubber, OFF came the outer tube,
out came the mucfiage, on went the
patch. and in less than two minutes the
tire was as hard as a rock
How nuch?" gasped Doc reaching in
his pocket But his only answer was
wave Of the hand as his savior jumped
nn his bicycle and disappeared in a cloud
oc dust.
The strong sea breeze which we fought
going into Ostend was at our backs when
we left, and We slid over the velvety
sidewalks to Bruges with hardly turn
of the pedal The Belgian high roads,
Icing paved with the roughest cobbles
in Christendom, the authorities have con-
yerted the sidewalks into cycle paths.
and the poor pedestrian has no rights
on them at all. We reached Bruges
about in the evening and dined quite
at the Hotel du Roi d'Es-
payne. There was a young chap sitting
near us who seemed TO take consider
able interest in our conversation and |
presently introduced himself. 1t appear
Cd that he was a Hungarian by birth, /
but was being educated in England and
was an interesting fellow.
We made Client the following morning
and Brussels in the evening. Just be-
fore reaching the latter city George met
with an accident Large heaps of dirt