The Washington herald., 1912-09-22
By Kate carew.


r oNDoN in August, and wet Au-
gust at that, got to be more than
IL your Aunt Kate could bear. 30 she
packed up her sketch book one terribly
rainy day and set sail for Paris
My, but was excited about 1t. girls
Going to the Gay City all alone. you
know-seeing for myself the gilded vice
that stalks rampant all over the place.
watching the effervescent gayety OF the
Parisians. Why, really had to hoid
myself in With very firm hand lest my
face should betray the fact that / was
on the verge of a great adventure.
had selected a nice, quiet little hotel.
or, rather. It had been selected for me.
and from this each day meant to saunter
forth and interview Paris
Isn't 1t funny the changes you notice as
soon as you've safely. II uncomfortably,
crossed that billowy, tossing piece of salt
water known as the Channel? Why, the
French atmosphere seized me the moment
I landed at Boulogne. and the fever OF
Paris companioned me all the way up In
the train.
-, Unconsciously I adjusted my hat at a
more becoming angle and pulled out the
( ends of the bow at my neck before l
stepped gracefully on to the platform OF
the Care du Nord.
Here was more observation-disclosures OF
it. There was great excitement. for the
customs had to be faced and pacineo De-
fore We could go further.
DISTRESS OF A PERFECT LADY.
Naturally, it's an everyday affair. and
several times . day, but there's always
the same stir and commotion connected
with II.
Every one shouted and shrieked. Every
one gesticulated wildly and rushed to and
fro No one seemed likely to accomplish
anything beyond argument and l don
know quite enough Of the language to go
: far in that so felt sort Of out Of it all.
Timidly I touched an imposing official
on the arm and pointed out TO him that
my trunk was there waiting to be ex-
amined, and that also was there walt
ing for him TO let me seek shelter. FIRST
he scowled ferociously down upon me-
then he murmured a sort Of eena, meena'
nina mo chant. which ended In ailu-
mettes and cigarettes"
1t was most embarrassing. really! Just
fancy your Aunt Kate suspected OF
smuggling matches into France! l say
nothing of cigarettes, being perfect lady.
I shook my head Indignantly and vio-
lently for his reinsurance. and he put
mystic sign on my baggage and let me
pass.
Then all of a sudden I remembered In
a crevice of my little trunk there was
small but eficacious pair Of curling tongs
and with them a box of matches.
The hot flush of shame mantled me
cheek.
: Suppose he had looked into the trunk!
Suppose had been signed and sealed a
smuggler and disgraced my country!
Gracious me! / nearly turned round and
confessed my awful secret TO that Of
fcial just to get it off my mind.
Don't tell me that women are born
smugglers, because / can't believe It
They're made ones made by the exi-
gencies of circumstances over which they
have no control
ONE ADVANTAGE OF FEMINlNITY.
Well, anyway. French customs officials
are very gallant because, while most OF
the men had to open their luggage.
woman's word was enough to get her
away without further trouble.
Mercy me. what a noise there is in the
streets of Paris nowadays. Talk about
little old New York. why. it's as quiet as