Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-09-20

upon the handle bars and saddle. Ii
was Charlie Brown, though his best
friend might not have recognized him
without some difficulty He was both
dirty and disheveled, and hot and tired
as well. Dust lay thick upon his
shoes. And now he gazed mournfully
into the inn, somewhat as a thirst
| parched wanderer in a desert might
have looked upon an oasis, with its
| promise of shade and cooling water.
Henri Christophe did not see him at
first, for his broad back was toward
the street. But he sprang up quickly
as Mr.. Brown called to him in very
bad French
Musseer lie proprietor
IL was like music in the innkeeper's
ears.
"A customer, and an American he
exclaimed under his breath. "Oui,
monsieur he responded dellghtedly.
81 am very tired" Charlie explained
though he scarcely needed to dilate
upon that obvious fact 81 desire a
chamber with--a bed Immediately"
"Oui, monsieur have a very good
room, on the mezzanlne fioor-excel-
lent for monsieur! Ten francs
a day.
''Ten?" said Charlie. Cheap enough
Go to itr'
And while little Jeanne went to pre-
pare the room for him, he threw him
self into a chair and cast paper par
cel-his sole baggage-upOn the table
in front of him. Beyond a few fresh
collars its contents were negligible.
81 want to go TO my room now"
Charlie informed his host. I'm dead
to the world" UncOnsciously he had
lapsed into his own vernacular. And
then he realized that a Belgian inn
keeper in a country town could by no
manner or means comprehend him.
"Oh. how the devil do you say I want
to go to my room in FrenchY' he
groaned.
But / speak English. sir" the inn
keeper interposed. He had a decided
accent. it was true. But to Charlie
Browns ears the words were as CRATE
full as the sound of ripping brook
upon a hot summers day.
you do? Why didn't you say SOP"
he demanded.
Pardon me, sir!" the polite inn
keeper begged him. But so many
Americans like to exhibit their knowl-
edge Of French that l have found it
wisest never to speak English to an
American until | am asked"
"Say-how did you know I was an
Americana" Charlie asked him with
sudden suspicion. He would have liked
to know just what it was about his ap-
pearance that seemed TO stamp him as
a Yankee, no matter where he went
"Ohl / could tell at once. i.
The voice, the manner Oh! l
thing" Christophe CROPPED, "an air
one can never mistake it,"
Mr. Brown grinned at him.
Fright there with that French 'gaff,
aren't youf" he said.
Henri Christophe smiled.
"Ah, m'sieu. l understand" be ex-
claimed, nodding his head sagely. But
you do me an injustice. l do not fat
ter. / speak the truth"
All at once the American remem-
bered that he was newspaper man.
"well, then, have you seen anything
of war around here?" he asked.
mo, sirr'
Neither have r. Charlie volun-
teered "And I've been looking for it
for a week"
"Oh, there will be no war here"
1 III t. oIx
like this-.just our peaceful little viii
lage! We harvest our crops; we brew
some beer; we make little wine
] good wine. Monsieur shall sample it
and see,v he added parenthetically.
I'VE go to church on Sunday, we live
and die in the quiet sunshine. e.
There will be no war here"
Charlie Brown did not like TO break
rudely in upon the good mans placid
dream. But at the same time he saw
no reason for descending. If trouble
were coming-as he believed-he con-
sidered it as well that the innkeeper
should be prepared for it as well as
might be.
Put they say the Germans are COM
ing through Belgium" he ventured.
Henri Christophe picked up the
checkerboard that the two peasants
had used to amuse themselves. and
placed 1t upon the counter.
"Ah, no, m'sieul And even should
they. our people are good people. They
will not touch u.s. he said as optimis-
tically as he could.
"Well-I hope not" Charlie agreed.
But at least I'd like to see some of
the beggars. It's id irritating TO
look for a war and not be able to
find it." He rose stiffiy from his chair
and strolled to the cigar counter. Got
anything to smoker he asked leaning
over the glass case. The innkeeper
fumbled inside the showcase and laid
his wares out for his guests inspec-
| ton.
Gosh, Peterw Mr.. Brown exclaimed
\ in delight. "And a real ciga- counter,
too, Where on earth did you get
thatY'
"oh, was in New York" the other
told him proudly. 81 educated my
daughter there. / was a waiter at
the Beaux Arts"
Charlie Brown stuck his hand out.
The Beaux Arts was one Of his special
weaknesses.
Greetings he exclaimed. "And you
brought this with you?" He looked al
| most IovfuoIv unon that familiar cop-