Evening star., 1918-05-26
AROUND THE CITY.

A vociferously patriotic multitude
paid tribute to France at Liberty
Hut the other night. It was an oc-
casfon of splendid features, with
Mother Nature in charge of the pro-
gram. And everything happened ex-
actfy as it wasn't arranged.
The Marine Band. of course. opened
per schedule. with a number in which
row of violins fraternized melodi-
ously with the brasses. And equally,
Of course, the assemblage demanded
an encore and got it. Then Chairman
Macfarland announced that the train
OH which the guests were travelling
had been delayed and would the band
kindly play another selection, which
the land kindly did.
But waiting means whiting, in spite
of rnusic's heavenly charm. per band ;
psychology claims as its own Percy
Foster. buoyed out on the platform
with a proposition that the audience
sing war song. 1t was a great idea,
which the crowd Endorsed with ap-
plause. Director Smith, who was
leading, kindly gave over his baton
to an enthusiastic young musician,
who made a Douglas Fairbanks leap
from auditorium to stage, and the
next thing that happened everybody
in the big place was helping to Keep
the Home Fires Burning" before
starting on a journey "Over There"
After that was through and another
lull seemed imminent the chairman
announced the arrival of guests and
speakers, and that aroused a pande-
monium of welcome that ragged like
wildfire through the hut. The audi
ence stood up and cheered and waved
handkerchiefs as heroes in French
blue and war decorations filed into
view, and as Gen. Vignal went down
the line. introducing his comrades.
might be lfkened to an avalanche
except that avalanches are cold. To
still the ovation Mr.. Macfarland lift
ed an arm-with two fingers raised
aloft as if in patriarchal blessing-and
began to introduce the general stand
ing beside him, when
The rain ratified down like mad.
Windows all oveF the roof were
open and people underneath raised
umbrellas, while ushers worked more
or less expertly with the ropes. The
French general smiled at NJ. Edouard
de Billy. and the deputy high COM
missioner from France to the United
States, smiled back. The French blue
Soldiers-eXcept for one handsome
youngster in red trousers. who, OBJ
VlOuSly, DelOHSeu 10 dHOtueT leg OF
the service, smiled at each other and
Mr.. Henry White and the dear chair
man just stood and beamed and
beamed. until the infectious humor
of the auditorium became too much
for the dignity of the platform, and
to 20 to the classics for a quotation
a good time was had by all
When the roof-patterings had
ceased. windows opened and drippy
umbrellas lowered. the chairman
again raised patriarchal fingers and
announced that, as the storm seemed
to have subsided enough for the
speakers to be heard, he would take
pleasure in introducing Gen.
The rain took a fresh start and
deluged down SO clamorously that
umbrellas again bobbed up into
active service; again the ushers had
to get busy along rope lines. and
the audience had to wait. But 1t was
all right. Everybody knew, that the
fusillade on the hut roof, the flashes
through the hut windows and the
thunder that banged around regard
less was simply Mother Natures way
of applauding-though it didn't seem
to occur to the chairman to ask a
vote Of thanks. However. 1t was only
spasmodic shower which left of
early enough to show that nature