New-York tribune., 1918-05-01
Songs, Kisses and Cigarettes
F or "Blue Devils on Shave.
French Heroes Roar Ballad of the Trenches as Bus Takes
Them on Sightseeing Tour-Mayor Receives
Visitors in City Hall

Private Albert Gcisser, chasseur-a-
pied in the French army before Verdun
and now "chasseur en- bus" up and
down New York City, leaned out from
a window Of the "blue devil bus" and
roared his love for Madelon; his COM
rades on top took up the chorus, and
SO they made their way up Fifth Ave-
New York became Gallo for an hour.
Cigarettes flew through the air and
small boys risked their lives a dozen
times plunging into the traffic to res
cue a box of cigarettes and receive the
thanks Of a grinning "blue devil"
There were roses in the bombardment,
too, which Albert Geiser kissed with a
flourish and distributed to his COM
, rades, SO that on each blue coat a pale
pink rose blossomed above the Croix
de Guerre.
Each time the bus was halted by the
traffic the crowd surged out into the
street, waving hapdkerchiefs and shout
ing. Once a sedatc, elderly woman in
an automobile, which stopped close be-
side the bus, leaned over and thrust
something into Albert Geisser's hand.
It was two SIS bills. Not that Private
Geisser knew what they were. He
is OF a strangeness, this American mon
ey However, there was too much 60
ing on to worry about it. He thrust
his booty into his pocket and leaned
out again to the sedate, elderly woman
IN the automobile.
"Vive pAmerique!" he shouted.
Truck Driver Gives Cigarettes
The driver OF a truck drew alongside.
He leaned over and threw a box of
cigarettes into the bus.
How're ya?" he said unexpectedly.
"How's the war;"
The "blue devils" assured him that
the war was yer fine" and went on
up the avenue to the Hotel Plaza meet
ing. still roaring for Madclon.
"Madelon, she good girl" said Pri-
vatc Geisscr. "She loves all soldiers"
It was a day, of ovations for the
visitors from the trenches, and the
broad grin never left the face of the
least understanding of them, for ex-
cited crowds cheered in a universal
language, and there were plenty of ex-
citable Latin temperaments along
Broadway and Fifth Avenue to get the
message across.
| More than once woman caught a
perspiring poilu in narrow lane in
the crowds and kissed him a hearty
smack-only to fall back to her en- ha
rassed friends murmuring ~ couldn't
help it. They're just too wonderful.' -
Man Whacks Injured Shoulder
| Once it was a man, who landed a
whack on the broad blue shoulders of
one of the French officers. He is a
hero of Verdun. and he wouldn't be in
this country to-day if it weren't for a
Yankees blow landed on the sensitive
shoulder and the hero of Verdun
WINGED, then smiled
That is the kind of pain which
gives pleasure" said he with Partisan
courtliness.
This was on the way to City Hall in
the early afternoon, where the French
American soldiers were received by
Mayor Hylan. General Claudon, head
Of the French military mission to the
United States, presented the French
heroes to the Mayor.
"All of the officers and men," he ex-
planned to the Mayor, "have done their
duty in gallant way. All of them,
officers and men, are here because, on
account either of grievous wounds or
patriated from Germany, where they
were prisoners, they are prevented
from being at the front.
-, Their first visit is for your great and
illustrious city, so strong in patriot
ism and in the will to win"
Then General Claudon turned to his
men. and addressing them in French
as my dear little friends" he told
them the story of Lafayette, which was
the first bond between America and
France. and then he reminded them
that young Americans of to-day have
already given their lives for France.
making an everlasting bond of love
between the two nations.
After the City Hall there were more
miles of cigarettes and frartically
happy Americans, and finally the
heroes reached a haven of rest in the
t9th Regiment Armory, where bayonets
barred a' admirers from their har
racks in the gymnasium, and there was
lull in the love feast.
"Poof!" sighed the last poilu. toll