The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1918-12-20

A Letter from Milbank Boy.
Still it is a wonderful structure and
fully in keeping with all of Frances
traditions.
Great columns in the nave sup
port the high vaulted ceiling. In
the choir loft WHICH i at the rear
and high above is a pipe organ,
The singers, who shortly appear
there, seemed ever so far away, SO
high was the loft. Fully a third of
the church was occupied by the fore
part (the name Of which slips my
memory which rose by a success
sion of wide carpeted steps to a
great gilded altar. Small colon
nades, and much ornamented, mas
sive columns supported the arch :
ed roof here. The edifce is built
on the remains of an old abbey
founded by st. Marten in the 5th
century, and believe houses his
tomb.
If | read the printed circulars
Tin French Alright, the llth the day
Of the signing of the armistice,
was st. Martens day, and he is al
so a sort of patron saint of the
Army SO there was double cause for
the service.
Suddenly there was a blaze Of
trumpets accompanied by the
drums and down the aisle formed
by the Marines came a procession
headed by the cross behind which
were the flags of the Allies, French
American. British, Belgian, Italian,
each decorated with wreaths.
Then came a half dozen or more
bishops and priests and notables OF
the church. 1t was an impressive
! sight.
When all had assembled the steps
the organ began a thunderous hymn
in which the people Joined. A
short address, in French of course,
Of which | could understand but
little, was next.
Then the flags were assembled
before the high bishop, an old man
with q gaunt face and thin gray
hair. resplendident in his red and
lace garments and cape Of purple.
who raised his hands in blessing.
The flags were borne back to
their respective stations and while
every soldier stood rightly at atten-
ton, the band played the Star
Spangled Banner and the Marseill-
aise. The procession was formed
and marched slowly out again,
The bells in the tower were just
striking the hour Of three and the
sound echoed back and forth in the
narrow street rs we came ont. ]
walked down towards the Rue-Na-
tionale and it was then I first no.
ticed on every building and hang
ing from every balcony the count
less flags. They were everywhere
more than ] had ever seen display.
ed before. 1t was too late to do as
had intended 50 went to the mus
cum and spent an hour looking over
the paintings and statuary in this
old structure which adjoins the
cathedral Of St. Gatien and which
used to be the palace Of the grounds.
too are beautiful and ere interest.
ing also for the reason that the
high curved wall 1t the rear Of the
gardens 10 the wall Of the old am.
pitheaters built BY the Romans.
who called the town "Ceasarodun-
nm that was built on the banks Of
the Loire near the spot where the
cathedral stands.
The sight OF some fellows high
up on the tower Of the cathedral
and the knowledge that today was I
hne day TO secure : good view led
M 70 20 up there. The sight Of
this wonderful old cathedral Of st.
Gatien 6lls No with awe every time
20 usor .it and wholeaome respect
Or thoso architscts That designed
4 eonturies go. Il was bsgun 10
lilo md finished n l6l7-thtse
eoaturis6. The tWo towers ete