The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-12
GAYETY ABOUNDED
THO SHELL SHRIEKED
Associated Press Correspondent Tells Of
Visit To Underground Cave House
on the Firing Line in
Europe.

Northern France, June l2.-To the
seeker after sensations is commended a
luncheon at the German iron in an ''un-
terstand' or protected underground cave
house occupied by some officer in the i'm
mediate neighborhood OF a battery OF
heavy artillery.
Let him preferably come directly to
| the cave from the front trenches at a
| time when the firing line has been heavy,
and where he has been able to see rows
upon rows OF dead between the German
and French lines; and where also he has
been given a glimpse of real warfare
and some Of its hardships. and if possible
let him choose the coloners wedding an
niyersary for the day of his visit, for
then there will be, out in the veritable
Wilderness, champagne in honor of the
occasion and perhaps lively piano to
offset the shrieking of the shells as they
rtear overhead.
This opportunity to make a study in
contrasts was afforded an Associated
Press correspondent on recent tour OF
northern France.
The morning had been devoted to in
speeding the remarkable trenches that
form veritable underground city, with
houses" that have "aH the comforts of
home" Overhead the German shells
shreked continuously and their devastat
ing effect could be seen in part by cir
cumspect glimpses over the top of the
trenches.
The way led by the Bavarian colonel
was through the winding, twisting seem
ingly interminsbIe "laufgraben" or CON
Meeting trenches, and led out suddenly
into little wooded chmp less than 1000
yards from the French trenches and not
twice that from their batteries. just be-
hind the trees was German battery
that one could hear but not see.
With a twinkle in his eye the Bavar-
ian colonel turned sharply to the right,
down neat and well built pair OF steps
and along path banked by flowers.
The path led into a spacious room, the
ceiling of which was about on level
with the ground, perhaps little lower.
At the entrance stood a mahogany
piano. Comfortable chairs stood about.
On one wall was a bookcase. and on an
other big map with the German lines
by little flags. In the center
was long table. with spotless linen
,ud cleaning white china. A vase of
lowers added the final touch
Smiling, the colonel took his place at
he head Of the festive board invited
he correspondent TO a seat at las side,
Ind waved To his accompanying officers
o take their seats He admitted. little
lifidently that IL was his wedding an
liVersary and that he felt like celebrat-
ng.
His officers were in the midst of con
when bang -wcnt one OF
he guns in the battery just to the rear /
nd the shell could he plainly heard as /,
I tore over the roof OF the little dwell 4
ne, so homogeneous in the midst OF all
he evidences OF active warfare. Il
For reply one of the musically talent I
d officers jumped up and ran to the '
isno and struck mp the wedding march. 9
Is strains doomed out in the little room {
nd were drowned for a second a. anoth. q
: boom sounded from the battery. G
No luncheon in big city could have q
cen more tastefully arranged could
ave hAetcu one haiI ~ kvods FROM some
Mysterious recess q servsnt-summoned
v an improyiscd electric beli-drew
,rtlr red and white wine and their cham
agne. The colonel palogized for the
portage Of rlasses'' only one apiece, and
ist champagne had 10 be drunk from Q
aret glass rinsed out with spring water Z
fter serving its first purpose.
To the tune Of booming cannon and q
Irieking shells the health Of the colonel 7
hi that of his wife we're drunk IN ice I
ia champagne that tasted fully 100 per /"
mt. better than u wound have tasted
served from a silver cooler. The col j
lel responded with graceful words - 2
riding the American press. The lunch =
N was oser, 10 the regret of evsrvone. d
4 boarded up entrance 20 shat ap- ?
AIRED a. b. = closrt ~ chest caught the Q
10 II tie correspondent. y
That" explained the colonel. 'is the
.tranfe 70 another room. = deeper one
q have e. 70 down there when she
-enrh berin usinR Thea heavy guns -
,sirst us This room - only proof =
.siHst tho lighter shells" l.-