The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1915-03-12

D
wonders never cease?-these Ger
mans had actually paid even over
paid, ma foi-for one Of them flung q
golden half ouis on the counter and
stalked from the place, refusing
change
OF course al the Hotel de VILE the
invaders behaved differently There
the mayor was called upon for one
million fNncs-war indemnity But
that was a matter for the city's con
! Germ and not the individual Madame
still had that golden half louis and
would show It II We cared to see. Gold
was scarce and exceedingly precious,
The sight Of II was good
Unanlmity Of the War;
Now the Germans we're gone
forced out, grace a Dieu so the good
citizens no longer lived in the cellars
They were gain IN their places at the
Lion dor, slipping vermouth and offer
ing gratitude to the military regime
that had the decency to allow cafes
open until eight o'clock Outside the
night was cold and a fine drizzle beat
against the windows. Several new
comers shivered and remarked that It
must be terrible in the trenches But
the electric lights, the clinking glasses
on the marble tables, the rafting
coins soon brought them into the gen
eral line Of speculation on how long it
would take 10 drive the Germans from
France.
For a hundred years the cafes have
been the forum of France The Lion
dor had for that entire period been
the scene of fierce verbal encounters
between members of more political and
religious faiths than exist in any other
nation of the world. Every Frenchman
no matter how humble in position or
purse has decided opinions about
something. But now the voices in the
Lion dor arose only in appellations
concerning les Boches There was
unanimity of opinion on the absorbing
subject Of the war.
The members Of the American am.
bulance column sat at a table near
the door Our khaki always brought |
looks of friendly interest Almost |
everyone thought us to be English,
and those who learned the truth were
always distinctly pleased We finished .
the aperitif and consulted about din.
ner We we're off duty-we might
either return for the army mess or
buy our own meal at the restaurant
We paid the garcon and decided upon
the restaurant-a few doors away
Several of the men were struggling
into their rubber coats. ! told them
that l would follow shortly had
Just caught a sentence that thrilled
me. 1t held a note of mystery-or
tragedy. 1t brought life out of the
normality of the apertif
lour at the Lion dor.
Where the Tragedy Comes.
The speakers were two Frenchmen
If middle age-fat and bearded. They
we're dressed in ordinary black, but
wore it with ceremonial rather than
manner. The atmosphere
If the city did not seem upon them.
They might rather be the butcher and
he grocer of a small town One of
he pair had sat alone for some time
,efore the second arrived ! had no.
iced him. He seemed to have no
in the place-which
vas unusual He drank two cognacs
n rapid succession-which was still
more unusual. One drink always sat
SIZES a Frenchman at the aperitif
Iour-and it is very seldom cognac.
When the second man entered the
ther started from his seat and held
ut both hands eagerly 80 you got
ut safe?" were the words ] heard, but
ur crowd was hurrying toward the
oor and lost the actual greeting.
ordered another vermouth and
,aited
The two men we're seated opposite =,
ach other. The first man nervously !
lotioned to the waiter and the new
omer gave his order. 1t was plain
nat they we're both excited, but the
lble adjoining was unoccupied, so
ley caused no attention, The noisy
alter, slapping bottles on the table, I
rowned out the next few sentences. ?
hen l heard the second man: $50 | o
ot out first, but you managed to get q
ere yesterdays day in advance" I
he other replied: Il was lucky
lough to get a horse, They we're
lelling the market place when left.
he second man gulped his drink and p
tucked nervously at the others Il
eeve. my wife is at the hotel" he b
most mumbled the words 81 must 81