The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-27

/ he said confidently.
Meanwhile. NJ. Des Champs was
having his day back with the car.
The populace had gathered around
him and he made a speech. Putting
his hand on Hartzells shoulder, ne
told them that the blushing lieuten-
| ant was the forerunner of the great
! American army that was coming up
the road. He told them, furthermore,
| they must give the army the proper
reception Everybody cheered voci-
| ferously. We distributed cigarettes
among the German soldiers, most OF
whom wore the ribbon of the iron
cross. They snatched eagerly at the
smokes They had not had much to-
bacco The captain declared they had
/ always had plenty to eat, because
they took IT with them. Then we
! left him reassembling his command
/ in the road and went back to NJ. Des
| Champs The Frenchman was leaning
| far out of the car. dropping bon Jouds
| Iavishly It was noticed that at no
| time did he go near the Germans. 1t
/ IL not to he wondered at He lost
son in this war.
In about twenty jerks OF the big
car, We were out Of Belgium over the
| border line of Luxembourg, sailing
! through the town OF Athus
Met More Germans.
There were a lot of German col
| diers still there iugging their stuff
out of the billets. Some of them sa-
| luted the car. An armed German
| guard stood on the bridge leading out
Of Athus, but paid no attention to us,
Belgian and French flags riuttered
from the windows, along with the
flags of Luxembourg, which is the
same as that of Holland, Here and
| there were home made American
| flags, done with coiored chalk. There
was one big, real American flag float
| ing from a store in Athus. They
were hosting 1t as we passed. They
had probably Just heard the Amert-
cans were coming.
| NJ. pes Champs did his best to let
| them all know. He shouted the news
at every group of loungers on the cor
ners and the people on the road
! Athus is a pretty prosperous looking
place.
/ Cameron Mackenzie eyed a butcher
shop window oiled with meat lie
eyed it lonringly. A fat butcher stood
/ in front of the place and waved as we
passed Now we were in town
called Petanges, a clean. brisk look
ing little place, where there was an
inviting looking cafe called Hotel Dn
( Chateau"
Afterward, We learned. ii is the
! famous eating place OF the grand
duchy of Luxembourg. We halted
4 there. just as We passed vehicle
exactly like an old-tine American
town hack passed with two German
soldiers on the seat beside the driver
& German officers, followed by order
lies, galioped down the road on good
looking horses. Occasionally a col
fyafa try
the cafe Du Chateau we were greeted
hv a young woman who said she was
the wife OF the proprietor. He was
away she said She almost wept al
the sight Of MS. They had seen no
Americans yet They had heard of
their coming only by rumor. She
brought forward little girl who
kissed each member Of the party sol
temnly.
Meanwhile, the population Of the
town was gathered about tho car
forcing its way into the cafe. We
were great shillahers for the place
Several German officers came in.
looked us over casually and sat down
ordering drinks.
Chief Musician Arrives.
NJ Des Champs WAS the center OF
81 attraction as he was narrating the
news or the day, tnterrupting him
self now and then 20 bon jour some
newcomcr. lieutenant Hartzen. who
t-elSs very good French. was also
surrounded telegraph message
came from a nearby town, called Ro-
DANCES saying they had heard OF the
arrival of our party and wanted us to
stop there and have reception.
Hartzell had all he could do to pre-
vent the burgomasfer from getting
, out the band in starting a celebration
at PetanGes They had even sent for
the chief musician. who came. bring
ing hts cornet, to consult about the
matter
There were rumors of food from
the kitchen. much to the delight of
Mackenzie Presently II came on
such a banquet as was never set be-
fore n king. in war time any way. II
Included meat, but blackish German
bread went with II. There was also
eane and vegetables. Madame, her
self set up a round of champagne.
She had It served by her little daugh-
; ter. whom she had dressed in costume
"a French costume--for the occa-
. sion.
Persons gathered around and told
us some OF their troubles during the
war They said the Germans had
worked everybody up to sixty years
The tables listened to the conversation
stoically. When 1t was time to go.
Rio harrison had n hard time getting
his car out OF the mob OF persons sur
rounding 1t. There were old men and
Young men, mere boys, young women
and old women and little girls. NJ.
nes Champs hand must be lame from
the exercise. Gigantic gendarmes, in
p Donald Brian costumes, lowered over
the heads Of all others. We passed
out of PetanGes. while the crowd
cheered, and went back down the
roads, lined with blocks of German
4 guns and other equipment, which
they had left In accordance with the
terms of the armistice. We had not
: gone far before some one was struck
! by n horrible thought.
"My God" they said, that dinner
we got in us probably was fixed for
, General Pershng or Geeral Dick
man or somebody"
Il don't give damn" said Mac
kenzie. sleepily. II would like to see
them get it away from me now"
Bon jour" called NJ. Des Champs
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