The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-12-06
CHAPTE Err xii.
lost-A War!

lost-A War!
A stranger-unmistaka American
-pedaled a decrepit bicycle up to the
very threshold OF the Lion dor before
he threw leg YEARLY over the rear
wheel and stood there, leaning heavily
upon the handle bars and saddle. 1t
was Charlie Brown, though his best
friend might not have recognized him
without some difficulty. He was both
dirty and dishevele 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 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"
II was like music in the innkeeper's
ears.
"A customer. and an American" he
exclaimed under his breath. "Oui.
monsieur he responded delightedy.
Il am very tired" Charlie explained
though he scarcely needed to dilate
upon that obvious fact. II desire a
chamber with--a bed, Immediately"
"Oui. monsieur have very good
room. ON the mezzanine floor-excel-
lent for monsieur. Ten francs
a day."
"Ten?" said Charlie Cheap enough
Go to it,
And while little Jeanne went to pre-
pare the room for him, he threw him
self into chair and cast a paper par
cel-his sole baggage-upon the table
in front OF him. Beyond a few fresh
collars its contents were negligible.
II want to 80 to my room now"
Charlie informed his host. I'm dead
To the world" Unconseiously he had
lapsed into his own vernacular. And
then he realized that n Belgian inn
keeper in u 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 French?" he
groaned.
but speak English. SIR" the inn
keeper interposed. He had decided
accent. ii was true. But to Charlie
Browns ears the words were as CRATE
full as the sound OF a ripping brook
upon a hot summers day.
"You do? Why didn't you say 500"
he demanded.
Pardon me. sir" the polite inn
keeper begged him. but SO many
Americans like to exhibit their knowl.
edge of French that have found 1t
wisest never TO speak English to an
American until am asked"
"Say-how did you know was an
American" Charlie asked him with
sudden suspicion. He would have liked
to know just what II was about his ap-
pearance that seemed TO stamp him as
Yankee, no matter where he went
"Oh. could tell at once. /.
The voice. the manner. Oh. |
cannot explain IL Is some
thing" Christophe CROPPED. IAN air
one can never mistake IL"
Mr.. Brown grinned at him.
Right there with that French gan,
aren't your" he said.
Henri Christophe smiled.
"Ah. msieu. | understand" he ex-
claimed. noddlng his head sagely. But
you do me an injustice. do not fat-
ter. | speak the truth"
All at once the American remem-
bered that he was newspaper man.
We'll then. have you seen anything
of war around here?" he asked.
mo, sir!'
Neither have IT, Charlie volun-
teered. And I've been looking for 1t
for a week.
"Oh, there will be no war here"
christophe assured him. 1T is always
like this-jast our peaceful little vii
lage! We harvest our crops: we brew
some beer; we make n little wine
good wine. Monsieur shall sample It
and see." he added parenthetically.
I'VE go to church on Sunday. We live
and die in the quiet sunshine.
There will be no war here"
Charlie Brown did not like to break
rudeiy in upon the good mans placid
dream. But at the same time he saw
no reason for assembling. II trouble
were comlng--as he belieyed-he con-
sidered It AZ well that the innkeeper