New Britain herald., 1930-06-23

On the Atlantic. June 23.-About three months ago I mentioned in this column incidentally, and, l suppose. d little airily, I was going to Europe. Things held me up .and I kept hanging around New York. Friends were tolerant at first. Too bad and all that. But ] became un- comforta bla>
 When I entered a room people grew suddenly silent. I heard whis- pers along the street and if I am not mistaken many became indig- nant and began 10 point. I expected any day for some one to step out ot the crowd and sock-1ne in the jaw. mumblng: 50 you won't go to Europe,'
 Finally I collected my wife and dog and, emblazoned with French line stickers, taxled to the pier and here we are on A, Deck, Cabin 2S2 in the He de France. begging through rather placid sea, al though now and then there are q few agile aquatic antics that cause mo to gaze apprehensively at the life preserver.
 But there was really no sense in crossing the ocean again. I've cross ed it sixteen times and there is no particular reason for being in Eu rope. I don't drink and I don't care for foreign cooking. The only pos sible excuse for being here is that l talked out of turn, 4 failing of mine.
 an wondering if that IS not why thousands go abroad. They talk big and have to make good. The only errand I have over there is to dellT- CT q corn pone recipe 10 Will Hose which could be sent for 3. nickel, And this trip already has cost me plenty Of nick Is.
 There is, for instance that piratical custom ot handling hand ! luggage at the New York docks. Il required the services of two brig, ards 70 carry I portfolio and a type writer from the taxi to an escalator. From then On until they reached my cabin four different men had ,o be tipped.
 4 belief is somewhat general that the French are indifferent seamen, Tn the great crisis they are sup posed 10 he ternperamentally unfit
 -too excitable I was on a French vessel in one of the heaviest storms the Atlantic has ever known and saw them in action. They were superb.
 The dog Billy is in charge of a7 cid friend for his airings. He is plnk-faced 15-year- old chausssur m q flaming. red suit and tal.bourne 1 cap named Chariot Billy jumped all over him in glad welcome anl 1 Chariot beamed Chariot three years ! ago spoke only q few words Of ErT5 i l.sh. Today he talks with scarcely ! any accent. He expects some day 10 1 be a marine lawyer. l have q nlent1l i bet on Chariot.
 The var.egated crowd Of passsn- gers on an ocaan liner are at first i intensely interesting Romance. glamour and the flush of excitement are bound up with them But fam!l- iarity brings the inevitable con- nmpt. Within few days your own | little circle has formed and all the rest become mere persons. The ship was held up an hour in sailing, The rumor was il was 10 take movies Of departing daWe:. i but I am inclined to believe it WIS the heavy fog, for we nosed out 10 sea at 9 snail pace-*e dolorous fog horn groanlng at minute inter vals.
 l peeked into the bar to se the rush when the ship reached the three-mile limit. After waiting tlt.
 teen minutes, gentleman sumter ! eG in and ordered a pot ot coffee the lone customer. The truth $,
 however. that the bon voyage coci<-
 tail parties in'cabins had left those
 The Little Scorp;on'