The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1914-08-28
PARIS TRANSFORMED
INTO GAY CAMP
MEN ARE CONSPICUOUS BY
THEIR ABSENCE FROM
THE CITY.


the general mobilization orders in
stantly transformed the gay "ville
Lumiere" into a silent, intrenched
camp.
Such a lifetime budget of events
has so completely filled this period
that entire days have been crowded
out Of reckoning-we have frequently
consulted dates on newspapers to
make sure just where we were.
But now Paris has accustomed it.
self to the great change. Except for
the absence of it's entire male youth
and middle gaze, the city is itself
again. And it is glad. In spite of all
that may be written of Paris in tears,
in spite of sorrowful faces, the domi-
nant note today is ioy-joy that the
long years Of humiliation. bitter grief,
preparation, and waiting are over.
Thrill of OfficiaIdom.
This feeling is made poignant by
the official communiques telling that
France, which arose to a man "to
Withstand the shock of German arms, .
has advanced to deliver a shock in
turn, and that it is Germany that de-
tends itself.
This realization now sustaining the
city probably will be it's sole comfort
for the next few days, for the official
news bureau has locked most of its
doors and windows and promises lit
tie or nothing until the turning point
of the battle of millions is reached.
So Paris has come to its cafe ter
races again, and philosophically drinks
its bock-absinthe being prohibited
by the police.
Paris thus seen collectively again,
we note more distinctly it's shrunken
size. We have vaguely noted those
missing on succeeding days of mobili-
cation, have vaguely adapted ourselves
to the Inconvenience of their going.
Now we have an opportunity to list
them and speculate on how many we
may see again.
Concierge Warns Guests.
Three weeks ago Nine. la Concierge
assumed the keys of our apartment
building and informed us that the mil
itary orders we're that we were to be
sparing of water, gas, and electricity.
Her husband had been absorbed into
the vast, vague territory termed the
zone of operations"
The next morning the milk and the
papers were not on the doorstep, and
we learned that henceforth whatever
we purchased, even should we desire
piano, we must fetch home our
selves The next day, lunching at our
habitual cafe, our favorite garcon, as
he swept upon his pourboire, gayly
said EAU revoir," adding that he hoped
to establish a French restaurant in
Berlin.
A few days later a correspondent
called at the bank to ascertain the pos
sibilities of financial relief for strand
ed Americans. The paying teller
pushed his hand through the grille,
simply saying, Pm on in the morn
ing"
Barber Packs Tools.
The next day discovered the barber
blithely packing his trade impedi.
ments in the inside pockets and saying
he was going after Germon custom.
For few days we inquired If news
was received BY those, left behind. but
there never is any. Those who have
gone have just stepped out-been
swallowed up. Their families may
write to them, in special envelopes
addressed to the war office, but they
will never know where they are fight
ing unless they come home again, so
secretly, so silently, is the war being
waged
If they do not come home again a
card from the war office will come:
- Blank, belonging to you, has
fallen on the field of honor" That
Is all.