The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-20

vent my going. providing I can get accommodations. I might be able to help you with the language, too Finish up in Holland, you said. eh?"
 T don't know as you'd care to go that far with me MT. Schreed said there, either. You might wait in Paris"
 Mir Cray smiled beatifically.
 Paris" he murmured. Gee, think I'll go, schreed!"
 MT. Otto Schreed was both sur prised and eratified at his com panion's proficiency in the French language and his capacity for mak- ing travelling endurable. Their jour ney to Paris was accomplished under the most favorable circumstances and by dint of a long argument and great tact the very inferior accom- modation which had been secured for them was cancelled and rooms with q small salon and bathrooms en suite provided at a Well-known hotel. AS q guide to Paris itself, except to the American bars and the restau- rants pure and simple, Mr. Cray was perhaps a little disappointing, but his companion was restless and eager to be off on their quest. On the third day, MT. Cray announced their imminent departure.
 Say, I've done better for you than these Cooks charabancs." he +announced triumphantly. I've en- gagged a private car, and we can get out to Chateau Thierry, see the whole of that part of the line. visit the village you were speaking of and get back before nightfall How's that?"
 "Fine" MT. schreed declared. showing over impatience to depart. ''Does the man speak any English?"
 "I don't know as he does" MT. Gray admitted. but that doesn't matter any, l guess. as long as I'm around all the time" MT. Schreed seemed little disappointed.
 in these small grocer's shops or whatever you call them?"
 T shall be along" MT. Cray re- minded him. You can stand by my side and hear what they say"
 So the pilgrimage started. MT. him as he stood once more on we'll remembered ground. It was bright day in early October, and the fla miliar landmarks for many miles were visible. Behind that remnant of wood thousand Americans had been ambushed.
 On the hillside there a great mine had been sprung. Down in the val ley below. the bodies of his country men had lain so thick that MT. Cray found himself remembering that one awful night when every spare hand, he himself included, had been pressed into the stretcher- bearers service. lie grew more and more silent as they neared their journeys end. MT. Schreed appeared to be trifle bored.
 "Lutaples is the name of the vil- lage we want" he announced, as they began to pass few white plastered cottages.
 MT. Cray nodded.
 q know" he said reminiscently. Our canteen was in the hollow, Just at the bottom there" s
 peated
 "The American canteen." Mir. Cray explained I've been making in quiries for you. So far as l can gather. there was only one shop in Lutaples at the time, and its up at this end of the village. However. we'll soon find out all about 1t now.
 They stopped at a small estaminet, and here trouble nearly came, for no disguise could conceal from the warm hearted little landlord the kindly man in tight-fitting uni form who had fed him and his wire and children and left them money as well to make a fresh start. Fortu- nately, however, Schreed had lin- gered behind, making vain attempt to converse with the chauffeur, ana Cray had time. in few rapid sen fore his friend Pierre. So when Schreed returned and took his seat by Crays side before the marble table in the village street, Pierre was able to serve them with nquors and speak as though to strangers. MT. Cray conversed with hlm TOT some time.
 Well. what does he say?" Schreed asked eagerly when he had gone 1n'
 "There was only one grocer's shop in the village at the time we were in occupation" MT. Cray explained, and the majority of the goods dis tributed by the Americans were handed over to him for distribution. There's the store. plumb opposite Henri LaFarge. Epicier."
 That means grocer?" Otto Schreed asked.
 Some of 1t does. Let's be getting along"
 Mr. Cray led the way across the cobbled street. Monsieur Lelarge was short, fat and black -whiskered. As they entered his shop, the landlord from the estaminet opposite issued from the back quarters.
 "What's he been doing over here?" Schreed demanded suspiciously.
 Mr. Cray shrugged his shoulders.
 T suppose these fellows all live on one another's doorsteps," he ob- served.
 The result of the landlords visit. however, was that although the tears of welcome glistened in the eyes of the warm-h hearted Monsieur Lelarge, he greeted the two men as strangers. MT. Cray having satis- fled himself as to his companions absolute ignorance of the language, talked fluently to the grocer in rapid l. 1 rnd Cnf isfied and turned to Schreed.
 He says he had 50 cans," he ex-