Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-08-14
THE RED TRIANGLE.
Y. NJ. C. A. Activities with the Allie
ia France.

4 = VI . - "a aEAfNRiAtS WIN tHt NAttNr
ia France.
TBS Rev Oscar B. Hawes. of Newton Center
Mass, and Hancock Point, uow Y. N, c. A
secretary Ia France
Dec, . - Last evening an automobile
rushed through the streets, sounding g
sir1n horn, the signal for an air rsid, i'm
medistely every light in the MOTEL was put
out, and CROPPED my way up four flights
OF stairs, secured my hat AMI coat and
went out with Others to see what could be
seen.
1t was 8 marvellous night. Tns moon
and stars were shining in a cloudiess sky.
There wss no wind the air was btscing
and cold As we went by the Madetaine,
the soft light gave il a wonderful beauty,
, the lower part dim, somewhat hidden by
the darkness and shadows of the street,
out the frieze and the upper part OF the
columns rising glorious into tee bright
moonlight.
We walked down TO the open space
OF the Palace de la Concord. A. hrst We
could zee nothing BOT the shining moon
and the stars in the clear sky Then for
an instant. over toward the Eiiel tower,
| high up in the air there was = moving
] blaze OF light. suddenly disappearing
again. Then other lights appeared 10
every direction, ana we realized that he
air ~as iull of French planes patrolling
the space over the city.
Soon one of the planes dropped a rocket,
as a signal, suppose; then another in s
different quarter let fall fne display
OF fireworks. II was fascinating to see
the lights disappear and sppes=. We
ssw absolutely no evidence OF any Ger
man zeppelin or war plane, bur all the
lights were out and we could not detect
the machines in the sky. They say it Is
very difficult for them to see each other
at night, even in bright moonlight, but
I should Judge it would hsve Jared i'll
for any hostile raider IL be had really
appeared over Paris. | see by the papers
this morning that there was a raid over
London, but that the Germsn craft did
not get over Paris.
After had watched the aeroplanes for
swhile, remembered that In little
French book | had read on the steamer
II was said that the cathedral OF Notre
Dame could be seen in its greatest beauty
wnen all the lights OF the city were out
anu the moon was clear. SO crossed
the Seine and walked to the cathedral,
passing the exquisite little chapel, Saint
Cbappelle, on the way, its delicate spire
rising in glowing beauty in the eiesr
Light above the surrounding buildings. I
Notre Dame itself was very impressive,
and was glad to see il in the midst OF
the quiet and charm OF that moment.
Christmas in Paris-The last two days !
here have been cold and dismal, with |
sleet and slippery streets and darkness
most of the time. Tue night before (
Christmas Paris was not gay. Inere was
rather an air of sadness over ali, and to-
day there has been no evidence anywhere |
Of the good cheer and Joy to which we are (
accustomed at home and which was so
of Paris before the war
Dec 25-My pass came Christmas morn |
ing, 50 ! spent this morning packing Up. 4
In he sfrsrnoon went to two missions /
" here the children were being given
good time. The French children were
bright and sang wonderfully, but they do
not have the gaiety and restIessness OF
bur youngsters. This evening | SEn of
Tor the French foyer, and glad to aegin
my work.
Chaions = Marp%, Dec. 81 arrived
here to-day, and shall go forward to-
morrow am glad to be nearer the work
am to undertake. Here are the divisi0n
headquarters from which snail NJ
assigned TO my particular foyer. II is
quaint little town, with one Of the famous
email rivers flowing through il. Having
had my luggage (includtng eed, sleeping
bag, blankets, eJc.l bronght TO the hotel,
A good three-q aarters of q mile from the f.
station, by porter who pushed them on .
little two " hceled rart, AKA nov sitting
With my overcoat and hat on in the cold I
and rather dismal writing room of the .
hotel I can now begin TO understand I
sonnet ing OF the suffering Of the French. /.
In this hotel there is no heat save one or .
two tiny stoves. The bedrooms are the (
worst Of all, as they have had absolutely /
no heat since the beginning OF winter.
And yet there does not seem to be any /
general shortage of food here in France. I
For lunch we were served arst mscaroni !
as course by itself, then tender veal cut
lets, with delicious green beans and tried
potatoes. Then course consisting OF a
good slice OF roast beef, slice OF ham
and some lettuce salad, after which came
cheese and fruit, and coffee.
Dec. 27-This morning the divisional
director assigned me to a certain foyer.
There is French director there now, and
/ am to cooperate with him him in &C
cordaDce with the general plan OF our
work. At o'clock went down to the
station to take the train. 1t was crowded
with officers and soldiers, went very slow
Iy, and stopped for an interminsble time
ct every station. There was no light at
all in the cars, as the trains are sometimes
| FsA1-0h aoIHrfra I am fnl1A