The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-18
BY Robert welles Richie.


London. March 17.--Theys got a
new game over here since the war
began. and for real thrills and sus-
pense the stiffest game OF "stud'
poker ever played in the back room OF
the most famous Denver gambling
house of twenty years ago drops
down to the level Of jack -straws and
fiddle -de-winks In comparison. 1t is
called NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. got wise ;"
The only requirement TO become a
player in this new and exotic sport is
that you wish to go from one country
10 another country in a hurry; that
and temper like that of Job OF old
You know, the kind of temper which
takes everything that comes and
makes no more bones about it than
Job did. Since Job---or somebody for
him-~set his thoughts on his aff1ic-
| tions down in writing, there's excuse
| for a modern sufferer from this start
| ling form of trial by fire known as
the wise game TO do likewise One
may talk OF being gassed in the Ar
Gonne or having shrapnel fra gments
extracted from his person with an
electro magnet; but the real hero of
events and circumstances on this side
Of the Atlantic is he who's been sue
cessfuIly vised out Of France and still
has strength left to recite the tale OF
his experiences
Boss Thinks Is Easy.
Surprising your boss in New York;
had sent you a cable ordering you to
get from France TO London immedi-
ately, and supposing the aforesaid
boss labors under the delusion that
crossing the channel is about the same
thing az taking the tube to Hoboken ?
Granted. Now, as to editors pre-
face TO the continued tale reads. Go
or with the s,sfs. +>....4 W. ........
You know there are three ways of
crossing the channel--theoretica at
least-via Havre, via Boulogne or by
Calais. Upon receipt OF orders to
proceed from Paris 10 London YOU
make inquiry of the first friend YOU
meet ss to which of these tree ave-
nues of exit to chose
But my dear fellow" that friend
means. "of course You know there's
no way open except the Havre route.
which is an all-nisht trip on the
CHANNEL hope you're not subject to
any distress at sea, YOU understand -~-
but the British have closed the
Boulogne and Calais routes to all but
the military
Reconciled to six hours OF seasick-
ness. YOU play your first card in the
game. You go 10 the American en-
hassy~ passport bureau taking with
YOU your precious passport and an
abiding faith in all mankind. The
ante-room OF this passport bureau Ia
a nice. cheerful place as ante-rooms
go. You learn to feel quite honey
therein after two hours wait. OF
course It boots not-as the writer's OF
historical novels say--that you see
the Rev Mica1ah Smedeley. European
crusade for the Home Purity league,
get passed through the doors ahead
nf Won and out of his turn. The Rev.
deserves to have the first call, IL he's
really leaving France.
Could He Indicted.
A. length you are in the sanctihed
inner chamber and have filled our
two blanks These certificates tell
all of your secret history that the in
teurance companies already know and
a good deal more. They are. in short.
comprehensive so Any
body could be indicted back in the
states for the confessions he makes
In these two documents.
But well and good! You have the
passport bureaus wise stamped on
the inside OF your passport and Hre
taking n swift slant at the old wrist
watch 10 see IL you have time to buy
that ticket via Havro when young
lady with a eAvere smile says:
Now II you'll Just go to the French
prefecture of police and then the
British passport bureau you'll be all
fixedsup."
All, brother. tina. little word ''just-s
From the American passport bureau
TO ths prefecture Of police Ia forty
three miles by taxi, but only three by
Metro. Being reckless devil with
the boss's coin. you take the forty
three mile route
Now, the prefecture of police il To-
cate In a very roou.y building which
the Terrorists With admirable judy
ment chose ~ a prison for their VIC
TINS back In the Revolution. No es--
Gaping prisoner in those interestinn
times could have found his way out
OF the building even IL he had broken
bis cell. The only person In Paris nos
having an Office in the prefecture 10
the well known real-estater, A. Louer
Turn 10 the Left"
The gendarme at the entrance you