Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-05-22


town OF Cherbourg with a goodly
company of ship acquaintances."
1t was decidedly novel to find our
selves stranded in a strange land with
out cent OF French money and with
IA very limited knowledge OF the
French language. We we're careful not
to attempt to speak schoolgirl French.
tel conveyances Tor the great crowds
OF curious onlookers who had hurried
down to meet the tourists) responded
in the affirmative to the oft-repeated
query, Speak English?"
The experience proved quite as In.
teresting as 1t was novel, however, pro-
vidng helpful suggestions for future
travels and for other travellers, cor
respondent OF the Philadelphia Record,
writing from Paris. says. We really
delighted In the adventure, for we
were safely fortified with good
pocket edition OF a French dictionary
and travellers checks on the Bank of
England, and our great enjoyment was
to visit out-of-the-way places and to
encounter novel experiences and un-
usual adventures in strange lands.
While we knew that 1t would be to
our advantage to secure quantity
of French money from the purser OF
cur steamship, we were not at all
alarmed when told that we were too
late in soliciting the exchange for
American money An unusual number
of tourists had decided to land at
Cherbourg, and the purser's French
money had been exhausted long be-
fore the majority had been supplied.
Knowing that number OF the most
pleasing OF our ship acquaintances had
decided to land at Cherbourg. we an
ticipated many comrades being In the
same penniless state; some OF whom
could assist US in quickly finding an
"English-speaking hotel" where our
checks could be exchanged for the
coin of the realm.
Wanted TO Remain In cherbourg.
Imagine our CONSERVATION when,
after the tedious delay OF passing
through the custom inspection. our
ships acquaintances we're seen to
scramble for the steamer train" that
would take them to Paris. free OF
course. calling upon US in the mean
time not to be left.
But that steamer train was the very
thing that we did not want then. We
had been told. OF course. that by catch
ing It we could save the expense OF the
passage from Cherbourg to Paris at a
later date. But the descriptions OF
quaint and interesting old Cherbourg
had found us eager listeners.
Cherbourg hospitality in the form oi
hotel accommodations was then the
first consideration. The numerous ho
tel hackmen-we did not take the
trouble to ascertain what they were
called in French language-jabbered
on the merits OF their respective hos
telrles In an unknown tongue. After
repeated questioning along the line
had convinced US that not one OF the
drivers could speak English We at last
resorted to the little dictionary and on
pointing to the word hotel and adding
the important speak English" a fer
vent "oui" informed us that at last
our wants were understood.
The hotel selected at random (by
selecting the first hackman who
seemed sufficiently intelligent to un
derstand our wants. proved to be on,
Of the best In Chcrbourg, at rates con
siderably lower than at the decidedly
commonplace hotels Of American
cities. A few smiles. willingness {,
be pleased and generous scattering
Of ctntimes Ia coin that seemed ridlc
ulously small to us. as II represent,
only one.nfth OF our cent? would in
sure the most prompt and obllgln,
service.
The quaint, highsoated conveyance
with It's silent driver, shook adt
jostled us over the rough cobbl,
streets, past marvellous fortlncatIon
and wide basins OF commerce" witt
curious vessels dotting their expan
sive waters. past the arsenal. TO IN
Grand Hotel Dc LAigle ct D'Angl,
serre." Although this hotel, a epler
didly equipped six-story building. ha
quick and efficient service from smi
ing handmaidens and everything tina
heart could desire in tho form Of d,