New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-29
Whole Concern of People
Is for Relatives In
the Trenches.
THEATRES REDUCE
PRICES TO SOLDIERS
Boulevards, Despite the Wound
ed, Gay with Sunshine
and Flowers.
Nv NINE. JEAN ALCIDE PICARD.

Paris, April 28.-Fresh glimpses Oh
good humored Partisan life are pre-
cious things to take away to the
trenches and to remember during the
short respites allowed by the grim
fight. Before going back to the front
my husband suggested last stroll on
the Grands Boulevards.
The bright sun. the warm spring
breezes, seemed to have lured out all
the Parisians. Arm in arm, little
more serious than usual perhaps, for
in the immediate future looms the
great separation, which for the day we
try TO forget, we make our way
through the great, animated crowd; a
crowd looking happier than generally,
almost gay. for this beautiful sun,
these warm breezes, mean less suffering
for those in the trenches. All sensa-
tions of joy or pain have their origin
there.
The sober tints of the women's
dresses are relieved by the gay uni
forms of the numerous soldiers of all
kinds and nations French, Belgians,
clean shaver, happy looking Tommies,
Turcos with the "chechia" so boldly
planted at the back of their heads that
one wonders by what miracle it holds
there; Algerians, dignifed in their
long, flowing burnooses and their i'm
maculate turbans; Senegalese, showing
all their white teeth in their glowing
happiness of producing a sensation.
Many have been wounded and walk
with a stick or exhibit proudly an
empty sleeve. Looks of mingled sym
pathy and admiration follow them.
A woman with bright brown eyes,
nice, patient mouth, offers us
flowers. We take bunch Of violets, to
which she adds a sprig of mimosa.
This is for the soldier" says she, "to
bring him good luck. What would we
not do for the soldiers" We thank
her and ask if any of her relatives are
in army. yes" proudly, 81 have
three sons and a son-in-law!" "Have
you good news from them" "Pretty
good. Indeed, am rather lucky. They
are all alive. One is in Alsace, one in
the woods of Argonne. From another
we have not heard since November
He may still come back. The fourth
has been badly wounded Maybe he
shall lose leg, but he has been cited
for bravery and will have the Legion of
Honor. / think my family is doing
we'll for the country" And while we
congratulate her the wonderful little
woman leaves to attend to her Gus.
toners.
Suddenly the crowd seems electrified
All begin to run, the children shout,
few clarion notes are heard in the dis
lance. 1.-THE musicl the musc!" We
are carried away with others. On all
sides break happy ordinations. at
does one good to hear a military
march," "Why, it is a long time since
we have had any" And a great ova-
ton goes up when military band, at
its head the boys of the military pre-
paratory classes, marches by manfully.
In one of its sudden early spring
caprices the weather changed sudden
ly; black clouds have gathered over
the city, and the rain begins to pour.
We have found shelter under a porte
cOchere, where several soldiers have al
ready taken refuge; an elegant couple
come out and motion 10 their wait
ing automobile The woman gives
look to the wounded soldiers, their
sticks and crutches, hesitates mo-
ment, and says a few words quickly to
her companions; soon five of the SOL
diers are comfortably installed in the
limousine, while a taxicab takes the
four remaining, and the couple looking
happy starts on foot under their UNI
brella.
In the restaurant where we take our
dinner we are surprised to find 20 per
cent deducted from the addition; we
ask for explanations and receive the
pleasant answer that a reduction is
made for all the soldiers.
Everywhere is to be observed the
wish TO dc something; the same rever-
ent, grateful and kind feeling for the
soldiers, from the little boy who
salutes gravely and steps aside to let
wounded soldier pass, the woman
who gives him a flower, look of SYM
pathy, TO the old man touching his hat,
with a shade of regret on his face at
the idea that he can no more serve.
We come back home warmed up by
this great current Of sympathy, which |
brings all classes closer together, !
with a better understanding; it has
been worth while to come close to the !
people, and we feel happy to have our
part to play in the splendid fight.
After all, tomorrow does not seem
bad any more. Is it not beautiful to
be allowed to go back once more into
the struggle for the right and the JUS
tice and take an active part in it?
-o--