The Washington herald., 1922-11-05
Wickedness, Like That of
New York Chinatown,
Posed for Visitor.
FINDS LIFE MERRY
France Impoverished, But
Has Many Charms
For Americans.
By o. o. MCINTYRE.

/ II was the long and convenient
arm Of coincidence that brought my
wayward steps to a little awning
covered terrasse on Boulevard Ras-
pail. At tiny table near the
spreading branches of an elm tree
] sat down to pun a cigarette and
ip a cup Of choclat.
lie Matin that day had rumbled
iof -. A weighty conference was
On - 10 Downing street In Lon
don. President Millerand was there
Papa Gaspard stood near my table
end I detected a CLINT Of recogni-
tion.
From American" he finally ask.
ed. I nodded. II know re face
You come to my pace in thirty
eighth street. New York.
| / recalled his little French table
d'hote a few steps westward from
Seventh avenue. Then l noticed an
empty sleeve tucked neatly in hii
white jacket.
'Ccst lie suerre!" he shrugged.
| Perhaps we war again" he con-
inued. Who knows. There are
strange things. Msieu. Europe is
in chaos. The sapres rattfes. My
CASTOR. my Charlot--you remem.
ber the leetle boys that play with
the black cat on the floor? They
sleep in Flanders"
Expects More Trouble.
This crystallizes the collective
thoughts of France. Somehow they
lcxpect more trouble. The diplomat
says II Is foolish. Nothing is 60
ing to happen. But among the
peasantry there is doubt. That.
believe. is why France is not settling
down to business and putting its
shoulder to the wheel.
However. I did not 60 to France
TO study such heavy questions.
do not understand them nor have
I the gift to chronicle or interpret
the surface conditions. But as a
mere onlooker there was something c
depressingly intangible. Despite
the fact that Paris 10 the gayest
city in the world.
From Papa Gaspard's place
strolled to another sidewalk cafe.
1t was mid afternoon and all Paris
was strolling. One finds smartIy
dressed people in Montmartre as
well as along the few blocks known
as the Rue de la Paix.
SpVdA Lu&uBhs
Paris shows its elegance in the
afternoon. 1t reflects the glory of
! its shops-robes. hats. stockings.
snoes. gloves. furs. Jewels. per-
fumes-designed and confected for
! the setting off of just such attrac-
tiveness as the afternoon reveals.
At such a time, war seems indeed
| far away.
1t is along the Rue de Rivoli that
one finds the Americans. The spic
and span little shops are there and
here one may try out his or her
kokomo French. only TO learn be-
fore leaving that all the clerks
speak excellent English.
1t Is quite Disappointing for the
Berlitz graduate who has toiIed
patiently for many months before
crossing.
II Paris wickedness could be
transported to New York. the Gym
ical metropolis would dub 1T "the
bunk" Take the Lapin Agile. for
instance. where throat -cutti in Q
Apaches used to foreeather. Only
it's furniture and settings are hide
Gus. The old proprietor with basgy
pants and red sash has the face of
a kindly curate.
"Wickedness' Merely Posed.
II a Bowery tough should enter
the place, bang on the table for
beer and shout a few choice cpl
thets there might be somebody hurt
! but 1t would be in the scramble for
the exits.
! Paris wick edness" is like the
J Chinatown wickedness Of New York
and San Francisco-posed for the
visitor.
Rat Mort. L'Abbaye and the other
places spoken of in whispers are as
dangerous as a bargain counter rush
in a Ave and ten. There Is only one
] menace to life in Paris and that Il
in crossing the streets. To cross a
Paris street Is a gift.
(! The Parisians tell you that all
the Apaches were killed in the war.
! France. IL seems. sent them to the
f1ring line early.