The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-27
1I.-No Room at the Inn.

Ais-iNo Nooifl dt tllC lllIl.
The ancien, inn in the town Of Ypres
on the road between Ostend and Bruges
in Flanders. the land of wondrous paint
ings and arch lecture, the land that
since Cgsar's time has echoed to the
armed tramp of unnumbered warriors
is on the direc, line of the march OF
the German armies. This inn on
Christmas eve was the scene Of many
festivities gay and sombre. Sturdy
German soldiers strong with the iron
of victory in their blood gathered in the
tdp,oom drinking To the future OF
Germany and toasting the health of the
Ilnhcnzollerns
Hail 10 the Emperor" shouted a
young Lieutenant, flushed with the con-
quest from the frontier To the sea.
"Ioch," echoed a hundred woes.
Hal 10 the morrow" shouted a
captain. fresh from the battles around
NprcS. and wearing the Iron Cross.
To Christmas rose voice above
the tumul," and then on To Paris"
The quaint walls Of the old inn shook
with mighty cheer.
"I'ar,s-on to Paris" A hundred
soldiers ciInktd their glasses.
"Und mach 81 Petcrsburg'" cried a
major from the Army Of the East.
"ro London" shouted spy. safely
home from the RI d on scarborough.
And Quebec" came back the reply.
The cheers rose like swelling biiows
and seemed To carry the soldiers high
on the tide of conquest Glasses clinked,
boots tapped the floor so dicrs threw
their arms around one another and
kissed in brotherly affection. Hoarse
NJ l. .t,,,
Of Deutschland uber Allies" echoed
far out into the night.
In the midst of the revclry. there
came "a gentle knock at the inn door.
Tho q or was pushed partly open. and
there stood Il sweet faced Belgian woman
il woman from DiNmude \ shabby
shawl was thrown over her head.
Cliugng to her torn skirts We're two
chidrcn-a lad II { years and a little
girl Of l. Ragg d and barefootcd numb
with the cold, Their faces pinched with
hunger. they perpcd wistfully into the
n.g ro m with It's blazing fire.
"Who comes here asked soldier
sruiny.
CLOSE the door" exclaimed an artil-
Ierymau; IT'S only a woman"
ITS only mc-a mother" replied TIE
woman 81 care not for myself, but my
children my little Constant and Celes-
tine. The soldiers burned our home to-
night and we were forced 10 flee into
the cold My children are hungry. My
husband is Gabriel. He is in the war.
am Marie. his Wife. He"
But what do YOU want here" inter-
rupted the innkeeper. This is no place
for woman"
Il ask only for "A bit II bread for my
children" pleaded the woman. land
place for them To sleep.
II am sorry. madame" answered the
innkecper politely, but we meet very
thing for the soldiers; there is no room
in the inn"
The door closed. The sounds Of
Christmas revclry could he heard
within. The mother bowed her head
and then drew her children closely to
her. \ gust of wind blew the snow in
their faces.
"Maman." exclaimed the boy, Juggling
at his mothers sleeve. was that -.
Nicholas"
Pooh, you silly boy" cried the girl,
that was not ST. Nicholas. 81, Mich
olas is out with his reindeer, riding
over the tops Of houses. climbing down
chmncys and filling the stockings of
every good little boy and girl in the LAND
isn't he. MOTHER"
The inn door opened. 4 soldier thrust
his head out as a stream of light fell
over the mother and her children.
Come, madame" he said, come with
me and | viii find YOU shelter"
Holding his lantern high as n beacon
light. the homeless ones followed. The
path led around to the rear of the inn
and to the stable. Swinging open the
huge hinged door the soldier bade the
mother and children enter, ana giving
the woman his lantern he bowed for
mally and returned to the inn.
Mother" exclaimed the little boy
that was st, Nicholas, wasn't it, ma
mere"
1T might have been st. Nicholas"
vcnturcd the little girl. but | think if
It were he would have given us some
bread"
The lad stood wondcringly for a mo-
mont and then remarked;
"f.h Ven, If it was not st, Nicrolas
thcn il was the King"
leone. mes chcrs cnfants." said the
mother tendcrly. I'VE have at least
place to sleep and We should he
thankful Ii Is warm here in the straw
beside the warm bodies of the cattle.
lie bon Dicu has sent us relief. Let
ms say our prayers
And knceling in the Manager. the
mother ana her children mumblcd the
Lords prayer. The mother drew some
milk from a meek and patient COW and
the hungry ones drank
Sow my dcIrs, my little Constant
and tplcStiuC," said the mother low
irgly, "lay your tired heads on the
warm belly of this gentle COW and go
to Steep
"Mam1n," cXc'a'm~l' the little girl
"Cnd is good, i-n'' llc?"
The mother paucd the soft yellow
cur7 soothingiy, The cNcIids closed
aud soon tho weary wanderers were in
Sunderland sweet sweet Sunderland