Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-09-01

OF living with her facing her across
the breakfast table, for instance, put
a vague fear into him. Up to the pres,
ent time, however, he had always sue
ceeded in Kidding himself of such mis-
givings.
"And who do you think is going to
win, Mr.. Brewn?' Sir George put the
question abruptly. He, as we'll as
Streetman, perceived that their some
what bizarre guest from the other side
of the Atlantic had gathered unto him
self a surprising fund Of information
during his short stay in their midst.
Before Charlie Brown could reply,
the spy Streetman threw himself into
the conversational gap.
"I'm sure from what Mr.. Brown has
said he agrees with me that the Ger
mans have the best chance" he inter-
posed.
Mr.. Brown himself merely smiled at
the interruption. He may have
thought Streetman a cad-a lobster,
he would probably have termed him.
But whatever his feelings might have
been, he concealed them admirably.
"Well, I'll tell you" he said as he
turned his back squarely upon Street.
man and faced Sir George. "When
was drinking Munich beer, was rath-
err pro-German. But now that I'm
switched to tea, I've sort of swung
over to the allies"
A burst of laughter, punctuated
with cries of "Bravo" greeted the an
swer.
} Turning to them all again, "You
see," he explained, II like the English
as individuals, and l like a lot of
their general ways, too. 1 admire the
easy-going fashion in which they do
, business. I commend the fact that
they won't talk shop over a luncheon.
I like their afternoon tea" He smiled
at Miss Willoughby as he said that.
81 like the fact that knights and ladies',
clerks and shopgirls take their half
hour off for 1t. / like the way they
, respect their own laws-when they de-
eide to make one they decide at the
same time to keep 1t. But, collectively,
the English irritate me, because they're
so blamed sure they're little bit SUI
perior to all the rest Of the world
That's annoying, personally, but l can
and l do admire it as great racial
quality that's made 'em win out a
thousand times. If England goes to
war, it'll take the English about a
year before they realize they have q
war-they really are slow, you know
but once they wake up to it they'll
raise the deuce, and think they'll
win"
Sage holdings of various heads and
the exchange Of approving glances on
J the part Of the members of the little
, party-or of all but Henry Streetman
set seal of appreciation upon
Charlie Browns views.
, "Please God, you're right" Sill
George Wagstaff cried fervently, witt
show of emotion that was, for him
: most unusual.
"Please God, he ISL Mrs. Falconel
agreed.
Il do hope SO! The Germans are sc
e aggressive!" Ethel Willoughby OBJ
I served.
"And so rudew Georgy added. She
could not forget-much less forgive
having been shouldered off a Sidewalk
in Berlin by the kaisers naughty Off
GERS.
> "Ah! But fancy that pride In ones
: country is a universal trait in every
. nation" her more moderate father said
Exactly! And as Mr. Brown has
:, pointed out, we English have tenden
#, cy to be somewhat superior also" A!
a he spoke, Streetman rose. He was be
coming restless under the calling o.
. that one-sided discussion Of the merits
i of the nations.
"Well, hope there isn't any warv
Guy Falconer said fervently. IF there
y is, you can bet your boots I'm no
going near it,
Guy" Sir George turned upon hin
l with incredulity writ large upon hi
I fine face.
ooh, l mean 1t, Sir George" Gu!
. insisted shamelessly. "If 1t comes t.
y war, this will be a war of millions
If there are a thousand men killed il
battle or only nine hundred ant
: ninety-nine, what difference does /
= make except to the thousandth man
None! But If l happened t.
e be he, it'd represent a deuce of 10
|. to me, and, with my luck, I'd be til,
e first man shot anyhow. No
h sir! Military service is not compul
sorry in England, thank heaven Ant
d If there is a war, Pm going to 81
;. home at my club and discuss yer!
: harshly the mistakes of the war office.
: Guys mother regarded him with n,
d less amazement than did Sir George
MY son-you're not serious?" sh,
i exclaimed, scarcely believing what sh,
g heard.
{ "Of course he isw said Georgy. "