The Tomahawk., 1918-08-08
HSSQZZzs1ES HTEaQ/T| d.
MZ1E T1z1H|hI4Z 9AZ4HOy.E
IN wATLIA ALNS

ture hall, reading. writing, lecture ah0 vespeI
rooms, with canteen where little articles can oe
bought At low prices.
All entertainments excepting to theater are
free and for q franc q s0ldts may reserve
+heater seat in the orchestra, which Is reserveu
for the military. The first night Of his arrVal
the American permissionaire is admitted Tree 10
the theater and the eanteen privileges.
When the American stan selected AK US TIC
leave center this year, the Y. M. C. A. omclals
won't 10 the resort and by vigorous work IN
duced the proprietors of five of the largest notels
IA omen their places in preparation Tor the amer.
tcan sodlers' arrival despite the protests tnat IL
WINS not the season and that they mlght s"nel
financial loss. - - ,,,s,o,-
One prodigal son among the first PERMISSION
aires voiced a sentiment which had supporters
among those tired car-cramped boys to the e1-
foct Tint he did not intend to be led around Dy
the hand while on leave. Before he LETT tnis pfo-
+estor paid handsome tribute to the T. M. ~ A.
arrangements. The truth 3D. tnas oe r"S ,,ate.
hours had passed the permissonaires had meta
phorically speaking, come and put their hands 70
no taken willing to be led anywhere IL was
deemed best.
This DEVELOPMENT showed not only apprecia'
ton but practical sense for all the arrangements
had been made by the association and whatever
there was to be done in the way OF entertain
ment could be done with less trouble and expense
bv taking advantage of the preliminary Y. NJ q
A. program.
Every peasant morning squads OF oacyciers
start out. Automobiles are requisitioned 10 make
visits to Chanbery and Challes.les-Eaux. the aux
tliary leave centcrs. Boating on Lake Bourget
attracts many. The negro band plays twice
week in the public square, and, In company WIN
the happy villagers, resembling those IN musica!
comedy, who always are ready to drop WORK anu
assist ut the dramatic moments, the soldiers SIT"
and suns himself, listening to his favorite melo"
dies. After dar5, In addition to the program
mentioned, he gives some of his own, wonderful
stunt nights costume balls and amateur the
atricals. ''.' ..-,s.5r-*.
Then there are diversions which never could
be put on any set program. because they are
hearts. Listen to bits of conversation In the Ca
sino and you will get sample smiling lad ii
olive drab is telling what he had been doing.
1--WE been having the time Of my life" he ex
plained, "Three of us fellows went down into tho
Village and we bought up a. little shop Of candy
and truck and took it up to the schoolhouse. WISE
Won could have seen those kids when we dis
tributed the stuff. You'd have thought we were
giving them something. And you ought to heaI
'em sing!" L.
One hears stories Of dugouts, of communicating
trenches Of lonely outposts, Of sallies into NC
Mans Land, but most Of oil one heard among the
first permissionaires violent references TO Inat
Hin which faces the sector into which they FIRST
were sent And their promise was I'VE are goins
to get it II It takes every one OF u.s.
Soft beds, baths meals one ordered personally
theaters, concerts rides, climbs. general relaxa
ton of the mental and physical strain-so went
the glorious eight days Of the first American per
missionaries. Then came the day to leave and
the words of appreciation were voiced by the men
whose business Is fighting. -5.ez ID. ...'
I'VE came here with a crouch because we
thought we ought to have been allowed to go to
Paris" said an old regular. "1ts been the great
est experience we ever had-not dull moment.
You treated us like home folks. We've lived like
kings. This is the most beautiful place God ever
made, guess"
HAS 1t been a good timer" echoed younger
permissionaire, one whose years betray that he
has not been long from the parental roof. '"roo
darn good! It's just like leaving home again!"
There are other speeches Of farewell delivered
In subdued tone.
you're sure that you're engaged? If you find
you amt, will you let me know?"
A shrill whistle put an end to the farewells a
shavetail shouted "An aboard!" which was bet
ter understood. The men crowded into the cars
and waved furiously from the windows to til.
hospitable townspeople as the train whirled ava.
carrying them back back to fight With rene
strength after week In Americas BE71..