El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-21
By WOODS HUTCHINSON. N. D.

JOHNSON, N. D.
touch with all the currents and in
terests OF ones kind. Here one can
stroll and be looked at or sit and
pass judgment, can hear the freshest
gossip, pick up the most confidential
OF news and SAVIOUR the spiciest OF
scandals.
communities hold this side Of life,
that they deliberately devote not
merely all the languorous summer eve
nings, but from two 10 three hours
in the middle Of the day, TO this form
of intellectual exercise and develop
ment And a mans standing IN the
community, even in so busy and
busting a city as Paris, is often de-
termined almost as much by his social
gifts or powers OF eloquence and
reasoning in these public forums, as
litical or professional abilities.
French Soldier at Play.
Everyone who lives among the
French people is struck by the fact
that they have 4 much greater ca
pacity for entertaining themselves
than have we more chilly and self
contained northern races. They are
less self conscious, are better con-
versationalists, and with much easier
and more natural social gifts and
manners. So that the mere society Of
their kind is to them a perpetual
feast, and a package Of tobacco. with
I a couple Of "maza grams OF cotfee or
light wine, and a dozen or fifteen Of
their comrades and cronies will pro-
vide never falling entertainment and
delight SOS nights out Of the year for
French soldiers
And the conversation in many Of
these camp fire causeries and dug
out debating societies is excellent
some Of the most entertaining and
informing that I have ever listened
to, even under the handicap of an
imperfect appreciation of all the sub
telties of the eloquent but elusive
Every grade Of intelligence, every
type OF interest, every social view
point is represented in the rank and
file of the French army The shaggy
poilu, in faded blue tunic and plough
boy boots, who sits on the cracker
box. may sit opposite a famous artist
with z score of successes in the salon
to his credit. The trim young SER
geant. proud Of his honor stripes,
who sits next 10 you, may be rising
poet and a darling of the cafes OF
the Quarter Latin; while the burly,
grizzled major on your LETT may be
a lecturer at the SOrbonne or an
eminent authority on international
All French Good Takers.
Even the rank and file Of the
French army are for the most part
surprisingly well read and well in
formed on most OF the subjects Of the
day. And they can weave the most
beautiful and animated and eloquent
evenings conversation out of a mere
handful Of modest facts, which would
scarce have provided material for a
dozen responsive grunts between
phlegmatic and unimaginative Anglo
Saxons.
The French camps have excellent
official theaters and moving picture
shows. and whole companies OF IA
nous actors and actresses and vaude-
vile stars volunteer 10 travel up and
down the lines to bring pleasure and
relaxation into the lives Of those who
have given themselves for the de-
fence of their country
Similar organizations and arrange
ments exist along both the English
and the Italian points, and one Of my
most picturesque memories is an open
air theatrical performance that at
tended in a beautiful little bowl
among the hills just at the foot Of the
CarsO, where a company Of actresses
and actors from Milan presented with
spirit and Vigor two charming little
comedies before almost half a divis-
ion Of Italian soldiers, over 1000
strong.
One musical hall favorite had
omitted one Of the saueiest verses Of
her song out OF Difference to the dig
nifty Of the generals Of the head /
quarters staff who filled up the front /
rows with their stars and ribbons. /
The soldiers noticed the omission /
~ once and when she came back /
for her encore they shouted loudly: |
Sing the other verse, Signoritai 1
Never mind the generals; they won't I
care and the censor isn't here,"