The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-01
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By HENRY McLEMORE United Press Stan Correspondent)

United Press Stan Correspondent) | Paris, Aug 1.-(UP)-There are many versions of the origin of the Croix de Guerre, Frances most re- nowned decoration for bravery and achievement.
 Some say Louis the Sixteenth was its creator. Some favor Louis the Fifteenth. Others insist it was Louis the Fourteenth, while still others, left-wingers as they are called, swear Louis the Thirteenth thought it up.
 The most plausible version, how ever, is the one which omits any mention of the Louis boys. Ac- cording to this version the medal was first struck by an unknown American and presented to himself amidst great ceremony, as a re- barber shop without CD A bill those given condemned men and | (3) Two pints of perfume poured on his head.
 I believe this version because I went into a French barber shop. I went in to get a haircut and nothing else. Before I managed to escape l had been given every thing but a Doctor of Laws de- gree.
 When I asked for a haircut and | took my seat in the chair. the bar | Der, who looked like Rasputin at | the age of 31, smiled, nodded and then whistled.
 l The whistle brought eight peo- pie on the run. Two started to work shining my shoes. Two more grabbed my hands and started manicuring. Another went to work sharpening a razor. Another be- gan mixing father. | The remaining two feverishly be- gan pouring liquids from dozens of bottles into a great mixing bowl.
 Alarmed. I told the barber again that I wanted only haircut. Noth- ing else. He nodded. smiled. and spoke to his attendants who re- doubled their efforts. | Desperate, I fought to get up, but with two men holding my legs, two more my arms. and another standing by sharpening razor with a wicked motion and an even more wicked gleam in his eyes, I was helpless.
 Realizing I was overpowered, I relaxed and the barber smiled a smile that said: That's good. It's no use fighting. We've got you" | Occasionally he held up a mirror so I could follow his progress. One look aroused the suspicion that l was getting a sunfiower bob. An othre look confirmed the suspicion. Before a protest could be made | Rasputin ducked my head in a basin and began shampooing with a vigor that would have removed the hair of a great dane. A shave followed the shampoo.
 Then, as lay back weakly in the chair, Rasputin stepped off a distance and admired his handi- work as an artist would a paint ing.
 "You must have a drop of tonic for a finishing touch" he said. I told him I didn't want any; that couldn't stand the smell of the stuff.
 "It doesn't have any odor," he said. Tt is like water. Pure and clear. Just drop, eh!"
 Whereupon he summoned the two mixers. of the great bowl and, with a mighty flourish. sloshed enough on my head to christen a battle cruiser.
 The odor strangled me. It was everything = roses. violets, sweet peas, forget-me-nots, honeysuckle, bachelor buttons. petunias. carna- tions, and all the other flowers that ever blossomed in the world Dizzy. staggered to my feet. He gave me my bill.
 As he rendered it. he said. "I hope you got good trimming" I looked at the bill and knew I had. >