Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1915-01-06
CHAPTER XIII.
Each a Flaming Center.

~UCH was the last state of Paris,
and such on larger scale was
the condition Of affairs in Chi
cagO, and the same fate had
overtaken Berlin, Moscow, Tokyo, the
eastern half of London, Toulon. kiel
and two hundred and eighteen other
centers of population or armament.
Each was a flaming center Of radiant
destruction that only time could
quench. that indeed in many instances
time has still to quench. To this day,
though indeed with a constantly dimin-
1shing uproar and vigor, these explo-
sions continue. In the way Of nearly
every country OF the world three or four
more red circles, score of miles in
diameter, mark the position of the dy-
ing atomic bombs and the death areas
that men have been forced to abandon
around them. Within these areas per-
ished museums, cathedrals, palaces,
libraries, galleries Of masterpieces and
vast accumulation of human achieve
ment, whose charred remains lie buried
Il legacy Of curious material that only
future generations may hope to ex-
anime.
The state Of mind Of the dispossessed
urban population which swarmed and
persisted so abundantly over the coun-
tryside during the dark days of the
autumnal months that followed the
last war was one Of blank despair.
Barnet gives sketch after sketch Of
groups of these people camped among
the vineyards of Champagne as he saw
them during his period of service with
the army of pacification.
There was, for example, that "man
milliner" who came out from q field
beside the road that rises up eastward
out of Epernay and asked how things
were going in Paris. He was, says
Barnet, a round faced man dressed
very neatly in black, so neatly that it
was amazing to discover he was living
close at hand in a tent made Of car
pets, and he had ian urbane but insist
ent manner" carefully trimmed mus
tache and beard, expressive eyebrows
and hair very neatly brushed.
mo one goes into Paris" said Bar
net
But, monsieur, that is very unen-
terprising," the man by the wayside
submitted
'The danger is too great The radia-
tons eat into peoples SKINS
The eyebrows protested. But is
nothing to be done?''
Nothing can be DONE"
But, monsieur, it is extraordinarily
inconvenient. this living in exile and
waiting. My wife and my little boy
suffer extremely. There is a lack of
amenity. And the season advances.
say nothing of the expense and diff
Guilty TN obtaining provisions. When
does monsieur think that something
will be done to render Paris-pos-
sible?"
Barnet considered his interlocutor.
'I'm told" said Barnet, "that Paris
is not likely to lie possible again for
several generations
"Oh! but this is preposterous! Con-
slider, monsieur! What are people like
ourselves to do in the meanwhile? |
am costumier. All my connections
and interests, above all my style, de-
mand Paris"
Barnet considered the sky, from
which a light rain was beginning to
fall, the wide fields about them from
which the harvest had been taken, the
trimmed poplars by the wayside.
Naturally" he agreed, you want t.
go to Paris. But Paris is over"
"Over!'
"Finished."
"But then, monsieur-what is to be
cOme-Of me?'
Barnet turned his face westward
whittier the white road led.
where else, for example, may ]
hope to Independently"
Barnet made no reply.
perhaps on the Riviera. Or at some
such place as Homburg Or some
place perhaps"
Cali that" said Barnet, accepting
for the first time facts that had lain
evident in his mind for weeks; "all
that must be over too"
There was a pause. Then the voice
beside him broke out: But, monsieur,
it is impossible! 1t leaves-nothing.'
mo. Not very much
Zone cannot suddenly begin to grow
potatoes!'
1T would be good if monsieur could
bring himself
ITO the life of peasant! And my
wife You do not know the distingu-
ished delicacy of my wife. refined
helplessness, a peculiar dependent
charm. Like some slender tropical
creeper-with great white flowers. But
all this is foolish talk. 1t is impossible
that Paris, which has survived so many
misfortunes, should not presently re-
vive."
II do not think it will ever revive
Paris is finished. London, too, l an
told-Berlin. All the great capitals
were stricken"
"But-monsieur must permit me tc
differ"
1T is so.''
1T is impossible. Civilizations do MOI
end in this manner. Mankind viii
insist"
ION PARISH"
ION Paris"
Monsieur, you might as we'll hope
to 20 down the maelstrom and resume
business there"
II am content, monsieur, with my
own faith
1.-THE winter comes on. Would MOI
monsieur be wiser to seek house"
Further from Paris? No, monsieur