Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 178, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1918 — Page 3

f— — OWN upon a beautiful French city D descended a foreign military force, capturing the place by storm, occupying it for eight days and then marching away, leaving the inhabitants cheering, and waving friendly _ adieux. For the foreign force was the first party of American permis- """"" slonaires —soldiers on leave —and the city was Aix-les-Bairis, the first American leave center in France. Here the French • saw the Americans at play and were satisfied. “Alx-les-Beans” the American boys pronounce it, at the imminent risk of the name being shortened to “The Beans.” Aix —a jewel, clear-cut, with brilliant facets set in a frame of gorgeous moonlight and of wonderful opaline sunsets and sunrises. This is the beauty spot to which are sent the boys in olive-drab, wearied by months in trench mud, under bursting shells. And this is the story of the first permissionaires to arrive in Aix —the American soldiers’ Blighty. On a certain bright Saturday a cosmopolitan crowd gathered at the railroad station all in a high state of anticipation. One could easily pick out the persons of prominence, the mayor, the doctors, lawyers and others of small but assured Incomes. And it might be noticed that the older women kept watchful eyes on the jeunne lilies who, tense with expectancy, gazed up the iron road along which the first permissionaires were to comet For who could tell what romance might not be on the way, romance excusing the fluttering of eyelids and the extra nicety of dress? As a special effort to make the incoming Americans feel right at home, the crowd featured a negro band and the local baseball nine, composed of small boys in scarlet jerseys and linen trousers, with legs bare as only a French boy ever dares wear them. The lads had small American flags tied around their arms, and their teeth were rattling with the cold, for the snow lay on the mountain sides and a refrigerated wind blew down from there. In the crowds also were American officers and visitors, Y. M. C. A. secretaries, canteen workers and uncatalogued spectators. Before the Americans arrived a dozen British aviators on their way to Italy changed trains and, seeing the throng, asked the reason. On being informed, they exclaimed with heartfelt approval: “Wish we were American permissionaires!” And well they might, for beautiful Aix, which in the happy days before 191 4 had attracted the discriminating visitors of all nations, was in more than gala dress this day, painting the lily, while military and civil representatives had assembled there to give welcome to the boys who had come from the Uest shores of the Atlantic to fight shoulder to shoulder with the French. These are the early arrivals of the American expeditionary force which landed In France last summer —regulars and volunteers. They had come from the trenches with scarcely an hour to prepare. They wore their trench helmets, their packs were on their backs, their clothes and boots covered with mud. their faces grimy, their hair disordered. Their train was two hours late, but the crowd has been waiting that time and the cold winds have not chilled the enthusiasm which greeted the appearance of the Yankees. . “It certainly did make an impression,” said one old regular of this reception. “We didn’t know what kind of a place it was and some of us were sore because we couldn’t go to Paris, while half of us didn’t have the money to see it through, or the right outfit. But I guess Uncle Sam had an Idea it would be just as well to let the French people know the American troops weren’t kept in bandboxes and tissue paper, but were in the fight.” There was no doubt in ‘the minds of those who watched the boys getting out of the cars that they had been at the front They were hungry and tired, having been 30 hours on the way, with only one stop-over, where the Red Cross unit had breakfast ready for them. But they were too accustomed to discipline to resist speech-making and hospitality, so they listened patiently to the provost marshal’s friendly admonitions to shun wine and women. No ban was? placed on song. Then-—on with the welcome! The negro band erupted into jazz and raggy noises, taking the Americans back home in spirit at least, following which a French orchestra swung gracefully into the strains of a “Suite de Massenete," and the permissionaires were escorted to their temporary homes. They were led through streets flanked by flag-draped balconies, from which pretty girls cried with familiar greeting : “Vive i’Amerique! Vive la Francg! Vive Oncie Sam 1” And that is how the first American permlsislonarles came to the A. E. F.’s Blighty, with a blare of trumpets, a Waving of flags, cheers, «mlles, sparkling eyes and, welcoming speech. Before them lay eight days of clean, delightful recreation amid beautiful scenes and —probably ibest of all —unlimited baths. “We’ve fed on mud," said one happy permlselonalre. “The rats come and sit on the edges of our straw and give usjb morning salute. We {haven’t had a real wash for so long that we’ve .almost forgotten how It feels to have that sense of self-respect that comes with the morning tub.” Aix, with its famous waters, baths and casinos, needs no Introduction to many men In the American expeditionary force. In the days before the •war it attracted thousands of Americans each reason, among them the late J. Pierpont Mor-

AMERICA'S BLIGHTY

gan, who spent his birthday, April 17, there year after year. ♦ j Pictures and descriptions of Aix have been printed often enough for those who never have been there, but the picture which lives in the memory of the first party of American permissionaires is more vivid .and alluring than any other. If yoii take a collection of clean, bright, well-built villas, with broad sidewalks and asphalted streets, such as are constructed in prosperous American mountain and lake resorts, deck them with charming French or Italian gardens, place them on the slopes of hills and the edge of an emerald lake, frame the picture in ranges of snow-capped mountains, through which run zig-zag -roads, and you have an idea of the vista awaiting the American.boys. Several of the Americans were housed in the Hotel Lamartine, on the edge of the Lamartine woods, where the celebrated author wrote “Raphael.” The philosophic. Intellectual fighter will be sure tb find on the outskirts of Chanbery. a suburb of Alx-les-Balns, “Les Charmettes." that delightfully located home where Jean Jacques Rousseau lived a romance with Madame Warens, received royalty as his friends and wrote books. The permlssionaire cannot escape history in Aix, for he passes a crumbling Roman arch when he takes his way to the great bath establishment, in which, special rates had been made for his plunge and shower. If. he does not seek to elude but to study the past, our soldier may find plenty of Roman relics in the museums. There also are relics of an era when a mountain toppled ovfer, burying 16 hamlets and partly filling Lake Bourget, from whose depths the treasures have been retrieved. He can row across the lake to Hautecombe abbey, which stands on the sole bit of ground in this province still controlled by Italy. It contains 200 marble statues and the mausoleums of the dukes of Savoy. He will see where Hanjrfbal, 200 B. C., started his passage of Mhe Alps. He will walk where walked Charlemagne, Henry of Navarre, the khedives of Egypt, Elizabeth of Austria, Marie Pia of Portugal, kings of Great Britain,' Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Spain and the kings of high finance. So much for the historic and scenic features. The permlssionaire, however, may be seeking less classic relaxation on his leave, and it Is in abundance in Aix. Leave does not mean license to him, and among the many good things that may be said to his credit—loyalty, amiability, -good looks —let us not forget to give him a good mark for this, and we have it on the word of the inhabitants of Aix. Temptation may follow qlose, and not always can the boy 3,000 miles from home resist, but to his eternal glory be it said that he does not seek it. Also to the credit of Aix and the department of Savoy be it added that all possible precautions are taken to safeguard him. A few gambling houses there will always be. a few women will follow an army anywhere; there will, in a word, be lawbreakers ready to lure him and, in spite of warnings, there were grocers who surreptitiously sold bottles of liquor—not much, because the customer, rendered loquacious, confessed the place of sale and the vendor* were haled to the bar of justice. It 1* hot the Intention of trying to represent the permissionaires as Sunday school boys. But they are alive with health, quickened by the sense of liberty, and the paths of this lead naturally to sane‘recreation. Few of them cared to seek entertainment in dreary gambling places or illicit resorts when they could enjoy the beauties of nature and the wealth of healthy entertainment made available. The boys did not have to be herded into the straight and narrow path, either. A few second lieutenants were sent with the men, but the pffi-

the EVENING REPUBLICAN. RENSSELAER. TND.

by Gertrude Lynch

ture hall, reading, writing, lecture , and vesper, rooms, with a canteen where little articles can be bought at low prices. . All entertainments excepting the theater are free, and for a franc a soldier may reserve a theater seat in the orchestra, which ls ; reserved for the military. The first night of his arrival the American permissionaire is admitted free to the theater and the canteen privileges. When the American staff selected Aix as the leave center this year, the Y. M. C. A. °^ went, to the resort and by vigorous work induced the proprietors of five of the largest hote s to opeir their places in preparation for the American soldiers’ arrival, despite the protests that it was not the season and .that they might suffer financial loss. z . . One prodigal son iimong the first permissionaires voiced a sentiment which had. supportera among those tired, car-cramped Ijoys, to theeffect that he did not Intend to be led aroufi(O>y the hand while on leave. Before he left this protestor paid a handsome tribute to the Y. M. C. A.s arrangements. The truth is, that before many hours had passed the permissionaires had, metaphorically speaking, come and put their hands to be taken, willing to be led anywhere it was deemed best. This development showed not only appreciation but practical sense, for all the arrangements had been made by the association and whatever there was to be done in the way of entertainment could be don# with less trouble and expense by taking advantage of the preliminary Y. M. C. A. program. - j Every pleasant morning squads of bicyclers start out. Automobiles are requisitioned to make visits to Chanbery and Challes-les-Eaux, the auxiliary leave centers. Boating on Lake Bourget attracts many. The negro band plays twice a week in the public square, and. in company with the happy villagers, resembling those in musical comedy, who always are ready to drop work and assist at the dramatic moments, the soldiers sits and suns himself, listening, to his favorite melodies. After dark, in addition to the program mentioned, he gives some of his own, wonderful stunt nights, costtime balls and amateur theatricals. K Then there are diversions which never could be put on any set program, because they are spontaneous, springing from the generosity of big hearts. Listen to bits of conversation in the Casino and you will get a sample. A smiling lad in olive drub is telling what he had been doing. “I’ve been having the time of my life,” he explained. “Three of us fellows went down into the village and we bought up a little shop of candy and truck and took it up to the schoolhouse. Wish you could have seen those kids when we distributed the stuff. You’d, have thought we were giving them something. And you ought to hear ’em sing!” One hears stories of dugouts, of communicating trenches, of lonely outposts, of salli&s into No Man’s Land, but most of all one heard among the first permissionaires violent reference* to That Hill which faces the sector into whicl hey first were sent. And their promise was, “We are going to get it if it takes every one of us.” Soft beds, baths, meals one ordered personally, theaters, concerts, rides, climbs, a general relaxation of the mental and physical strain —so went the glorious eight days of the first American permissionairies. Then came the day to leave, and the words of. appreciation were voiced by the men, whose business is fighting. J “We came here with a grouch because—we thought Ave ought to have been allowed to go to Paris,” said an old regular. “It’s been the greatest experience we ever had —not a dull moment. You treated us like home folks. We’ve lived like kings. -This is the most beautiful place God ever made, I guess.” % “Has It’ been a good time?” echoed a younger permlssionaire, one whose years Detray that he has not been long from the parental roof. “Too darn good! - It’s just like leaving home again!” There are other speeches of farewell delivered In subdued tone. “You’re sure that you’re engaged? If you, find you ain’t, will you let me know?” - A shrill whistle put an end to the farewell*. A shavetail shouted “All aboard!” which was better understood. The men crow<fed into the cars, and waved furiously from the windows to the hospitable townspeople as the train whirled away carrying them back, back to fight with renewed strength after a week In America’s BUghty.

cers showed discretion by not being obtrusive. The military police were equally wise. The Yankee was on his honor and responded nobly. By ifequest of the military authorities, the Y. M. C. A. has had charge of the entertainment of the men, this, it was understood tacitly, not to interfere with the men’s own ideas on the subject. To further this program, the Y. M. C. A. had leased the beautiful Casino, a veritabk house of recreation, its spacious roof covering a theater, a motion-pie-

STUDY HOLDING OF CAMERA

Successful Work With the Instrument • Depend* Largely on It* Being In Proper Position.

Successful hand-camera work de pends largely on the power to give slow shutter exposures with the camera held in the hand, and In this connection sufficient attention is rarely given to the matter of “grip.” It is not enough to hold the camera firmly against the chest or stomach. The best position 'must be found by trial, and this will vary with different individuals and different makes oi camera. In general it will be found that the most comfortable position is the steadiest. At waist level the hands will be usually placed symmetrically on either side of the-instru-ment, the right, near the release, forward, and the other a little behind. *When the camera is held at eye level, one hand is usually held rather under the instrument as a support, and the other grips the back or side, or with a folding type, of camera both hands may grip the back. With the very small types, one hand often almost incloses the instrument and releases the shutter, whilst the other is used as a support. At eye level it is often a great assistance to a steady aim to press the back of the camera against the cheek. Just as the feel of a favorite gun gives confidence, so the use of the camera should be familiar, and regular and systematic practice with the unloaded camera will be a great help in this. Trial exposures should be given from time to time, and the resulting negatives carefully examined. At first fairly short exposures only should be given, to gain confidence, gradually employing slower speeds as the hand is trained and nerve is acquired.

FIRST RECORDED AIR FIGHT

Frenchmen, Rivals In Love, Had Strange and Fatal Duel More Than One Hundred Years Ago. The first battle in the air and the strangest duel in the long history of the field of honor was fought 110 years ago near Paris. Two Frenchmen were ardent /ivals for the affections of a woman, and SP bitter did their quarrel become that only blood could wipe it out. Ordinary methods were too tame for these fiery spirts, so it was agreed that the duel should be fought from balloons. The cause of the trouble agreed to marry the victor. When the selected day arrived the two fighters and their seconds repaired to the meeting place, only to find a great crowd assembled, for word of the strange encounter had spread broadcast. The principals, however, were undeterred. Two balloons, precisely alike, had been prepared, and into these they stepped. To each was handed a carefully loaded blunderbuss. .. The word was given and the moorings cast off. Slowly the balloons ascended almost side by side. At the height of about half a mile, when the great bags were but 80 yards apart, the signal was given and both men opened fire. Soon one of the balloons collapsed and crashed to the earth. The record says the woman kept her promise and married the victor of the aerial battle.

Dog Recognizes Portrait

In his reminiscences "Spy” sketches my credulity. He had painted a fulllength portrait of his host at a country house. When it w’as just finished he came down early one morning to inspect it —and found his host’s dog sitting up begging before the portrait of his master. It was Apelles, the ancient painter, I think, who depicted grapes so realistically that the very birds pecked at them. But in a long association with dogs I have never found one who could recognize a figure or a landscape in a picture. The nearest approach to such intelligence is when I have set a looking glass on the floor and confronted a dog with his own likeness. He growls suspiciously, uncomfortably, until he walks behind to find the other dog—that isn’t there! —London Chronicle.

Easy Way to Measure Distances.

Boy scouts who are Interested in emulating deeds of their older friends are practicing many engineering stunts.- One of the most interesting is to measure distances without instruments and where the travel from point to point is impracticable. The method followed is one employed by Napoleon when his engineers sought to learn the distance across an unfordable river. The little corporal took a position on the‘bank at the water edge, gazed across the stream until the opposite shore line was just discernible below the visor of his cap, then turned on his heel and spotted a point at the same level up stream. After this he paced off the distance and had it approximately correct.

Common Heather Dying Out.

In the case of such a plant as the common heather of England and Scotland, found growing wild in Nova Scotia, it is a matter of curious interest to determine whether it is native to the soil or has been introduced from Europe. Lawson decided that the plant bad its home here. There was a time. It is thought, when the plant was abundant in our northern lands, and its present rare occurrence marks a dying out of the species on this side of the ocean. Its vigorous growth in Europe is due to the circumstance that there It is a young plant on virgin soil J

FLUFFY

By FLORENCE G. MEANEY.

{Copyright, 1918. by the McClure Newspa-' per Syndicate.) “Oh, dear, I Wish 1 looked like other girls; it’* no wonder nobody likes me. This old hair! Every time I look in that glass I just want to scream.” This outburst, arose from Virginia Ray, the youngest of three sisters, or Fluffy, as her school chums called her, owing to a wealth of auburn fluffy hgjr. “Why, my dear,” exclaimed her mother entering the room, “what’s worrying my little girl? Look at the pretty eyes all swollen!” “Oh, mother,” Virginia stormed, “1 just wish I didn't have this Old hair. I’ve brushed it and combed it fill I’m tired out and It doesn’t change one bit; I think I’ll be tempted to cut it all off one of these days if they plague me any more about it.” Then she told her mother how they had nicknamed her Fluffy, to match her hair. • Mrs. “some girls would be crazy to have those-curls.” At the supper table the main topic was the dance to be held that evening for the boys over there. “And,” chirped Helen, second eldest, “Capt. Arthur Harvey of the regiment Is going to be there; they say he 1* a stunner and unmarried.”

No one had noticed the pretty flush that had come to Virginia’s face nor that she had tasted very little supper, and on a pretense of being so tired she begged to be excused. Once out of their sight she gave way to her thoughts. “I wonder,” she mused, “could it be possible?” and tripping upstairs she made hdr way to her sister Mary’s wardrobe and selected a gray georgette crepe dress, the prettiest she could find. It would do no harm to try it on, she thought; then arranging her hair up high she viewed herself in the long mirror. “Gosh! I never knew I could look so nice," and trotting in delight to her own room. She decided to go to the dance. Eight o’clock found the hall quite crowded, orchestra playing, and Everybody bubbling over with happiness. In the farthest corner sat Virginia all alone and unnoticed, as she thought. She had seen her two sisters having the time of their Ilves and almost wished she hadn’t come, but then her thoughts strayed to the object of her presence there, and she started another neck-straining search, but of no avail. Suddenly the orchestra struck up a lively fox trot, and Virginia was lost In beating time* humming and watching the different steps and didn’t mind the time passing. “Pardon me,” came in a low voice. “Why aren't you enjoying yourself like yqur sisters and the rest?” Virginia turned suddenly to, find herself face to face with the man she had come purposely to see. “Oh, I —l—” she stammered. “Really, 1 most be going—” But she didn’t go alone, for Captain Harvey asked permission to escort her home, and after some hesitation she decided to allow him. It was a pleasant walk home, and when Virginia asked him, “How did you remember me after such a long time?” he replied: “Well, when, I came into the hall I glanced around to see if there was anybody I knew, and for the minute, I must confess, I was somewhat disappointed; you see the crowd seemed so strange to me. But when I happened to glance over in a certain corner I saw you, and stepping up to one of the fellows I inquired who the lady was with the fluffy hair. You know it is some time since we became acquainted, and for another minute 1 forgot we were friends (so careless of me); so finally putting on my cap I recollected everything.” He continued talking about the good times they had that sumpier they were together—the picnic, the little pool where they .had learned to swim—when suddenly he turned to see if Virginia was enjoying it, and to his amazement saw two big tears rolling down her cheeks. “Stop right where you are,” she cried. “You are like all the rest, and I thought you were so different. Oh, why does everybody ridicule my hair?” Captain Harvey had been so interested in talking over those times he forgot he had even mentioned her hair, and for answer he put one strong arm around her and, lifting the tearstained face, he said : “I’ve only known you a little while, girlie, but, I like you ; and, honest, I wasn't making fun of your hair.” Virginia looked up, eyes sparkling at hearing his humble confession, and then .to his surprise she told him how she happened to be there. “You see, Captain Harvey,” smiling through her tears, “I heard them say you were going to be there, so I was bound to go, even though I had to borrow a dress, and—” she stammered —“I guess l’m not disappointed, after all.” “Nor L” chimed in Harvey, “because I adore fluffy hair.”

Yellow Fever.

Dr. Walter Reid of the United States r.rmy discovered in 1900 that yellow fever was communicated to man through the. bite of a mosquito. During the nineteenth century deaths from yellow fever at Havana were frequently as high as 1.500 per annum, or at the rate of 428 per 100,000 Inhabitants. A year after Doctor Reid's discovery they had ceased altogether. Up to that year the mortality from yellow fever had been as follows: 1890, 308; 1891, 356; 1892, 357; 1894, 494 ; 1895, 553; 1896. 1.282; 1897, 858; 1898, 138 J 1899, 193 ; 1900. 310; 1901, 18.