Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-01-30

would like 10 buy some vine, but he
said he would not sell it to us but
that we might have all that we
wanted and that the pleasure would
all be his. He took us in on the
ground floor, opened up two bottles
of vim rouge and then insisted on us
going up stairs and seeing the rest
of his house, or cave. On the next
floor he kept his horses, wagons etc,
there being good road up to the
place. Then on the next floor was
his living quarters. He was an old
bachelor about sixty or seventy
years old, and live in the place all
by himself. He had been nom
commissioned officer in the French
army about thirty years ago, and
had an honorable discharge framed
over the fireplace. He had also sew
eral pictures and drawing of himself
in uniform, and various relics Of his
former war days. His living room
was very cosy looking, and was a
great deal better than our own quar-
tiers. He wanted to open up bottle
of cognac, but we knew that it
wouldn't do to mix the drinks, and
/ then we hated to bum too much off
Of him.
We walked quite distance fur
Their and finally came to a little cafe,
about two o'clock, and as we were
very hungry decided to try for some
thing to eat. There was an old lady
and middle aged lady in charge Of
/ the place and we asked them if we
could get dinner. They said yes,
and brought out some pork chops
and asked If that would be all right.
We told them yes so they kindled up
fire in the CRATE at one end of the
room and started to get dinner for
u.s. To pass the time away we start
ed in to play cards, but it was not
long until the first course was ready.
Whenever they serve meal any
where in France 1t has to 90 in
courses just the same as a swell ban
quet in the states, and it takes any
where from one to three hours to
get through with a meal The first
course consisted of bread, butter, cell
cry, porkchops and two bottles Of
vim blanc. By the time we had fin
ished that we got big dish Of
French fried potatoes, which had
been fried in butter These, with
bread and butter and omelette, made
4 up the second course. The third was
an egg omelette, made out of twelve
or fifteen nice fresh eggs. Then
came course Of bread, butter and
jam, and of course more wine Next
we got cake of cheese and a big
\ dish Of nuts. She wanted to make
coffee for us, but we didn't care for
it. We began to get a little uneasy
about the price after we had been
eating for an hour, and at the end Of
two hours when the meal was hnish-
ed we were real nervous. It appear
ed to us that it would cost anywhere
from ten to fifty francs per plate,
the latter being about the price you
would have to pay for it in Tours.
We asked her what it was worth and
you can imagine our surprise when
she said four francs per plate, or A.
bout three dollars and sixty cents for.
all OF us. We then played cards for
a little while to let our dinner rest,
and directly ordered another bottle.
OF wine. When we tried to pay for!
this she insisted that it had been
paid for with the dinner.
Neither Of the women could spean
English, but we managed to find out
a good many things of interest about
the place and promised her that we
would be back and see her again
when we got good and hungry. We
started back for the car line, but had
! TO stop at the caves where we had
nrst been in the morning, as the old
man spotted us and insisted that we
must take drink with him. We fin
ally landed back at camp about seven
o'clock.,l think shall spend every
sunday out there after this.
This has been very nice dav n
Just ralned wee little bit early in
me morning, to keep up the reputa-
ton OF the place. Think / shall take
IL easy tomorrow as / am getting.
iazy after my rambles of the past
two days. Am really and truly going
TO nave some pictures taken tomor-
row. and will probably be able to get
them as soon as get back from nv
leave. viii then send you one.
Sincerity,
A FRIEND