A FRENCH VILLAGE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 183, 16 June 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

A FRENCH VILLAGE.

AUSTRALIANS BILLETED. BEWARE OF SPIES! (By A.J.8.) FRANCE. April 16. In Frame we find coffee the national beverage. As soon as a soddier steps inside the house in which he is billeted the good lady of the home says : "C.ile, monsieur-" It being considered an offence m these parts to decline such an invitation, the soldier says "Mcrcimadanie " and is immediately handed a small i>owi containing black coffee, in which lias been dropped just enough cognac to mnk » the coffee tasty. The seen,- of tlie-e meetings between soldiers and French people over coffee is usually a country kitchen. 'J he floor is composed ol flags, and on the walls are pictures of Napoleon, New ihe local priest, and a few British troops who, having been billeted :n the house in Moils days, left Madame their photographs. A curious old stove adjoins tiie table, which is usually covered with white oilcloth, and the rest of the fittings include a chair and a che.M of drawers. This room serves as kitchen, (Filing-room, parlour arid oiiice. It is here soldiers eat. write letters, drink coffee, and clean their button-- before being shifted or returned to the trenches. Wlii'e performing these duties they keep up a more or le'ri disjointed conversation 111 French, Engli-h and Arabic.

The village in which we are (|iiartered is a typical sleepy spot. Wo have a pump or two, a ehunli. a village priest, a village idiot, and a post-offic,\ to which is attached a store. 1"or those who imbibe there are six small places called cstaniiucts (publichouses.>

French ltecr costs Id. a izl:ir-s. and English beer or stout 3d. For a franc (l(>d.) a man can have live drinks, and 'Shout" for a fcl'ow-soldier. Englsh and French soldiers use the local entertainment.-; a* a cluli more than a liar. Tallies are scattered about the room, and in the centre is a .stove. All tho windows are kept closed, and as every other man is smoking, the atmosphere is fur from clear. The walls are pla--tered with lntices. calling on soldL'rs to refrain from discussing matters of military importance in public places. In spite of this precaution on the part of the military authorities, one catches wafts of conversation about Gallipoli, Salonika, Suez Canal and the early lighting in France. There its no doubt, however, the warning precludes men from talking «o extravagantly as_ they used to do in the Cairo cafes. A\ e are told that tlictio parts are thick with spies, and are always on the qui vive. On Sunday morning the village turns out spic and span. Everybody, from tlio vnungc*t to tho oldest, (loiks »i blivk mil'and walks solemnly to the church. It is difficult to find a Protestant m the district, and what the Cure says carries great weight. A\ e are to'd that lie has warned the young ladies against walk ng pronunad:ng. it is called here with soldier*. If this is so, we can give all tho young ladies a. cerificate for faithful adherence to his edict. They never take a walk with soldiers. Some of tho Australian troops have invited ~-irls to do so, but the universal answer on the part of the girls :s "Apres la guerre." Tho habits of the peoplo oh Sundays are much like those of other rural communities. After church tliev ta'k outside the church, gossip about each othor, the crops and oho pics, and then walk home by the longest routi'. Sunday driving is unknown lure anions certain classes, but there i-> soin» <mnihling, indulged in by the young men of the plnco. who throw cent nines (pennies) at a lino <ut :n the ca'"lii. He who throws nearest, s-cips the pool. Apropos of gainoiinfr it is sad to relate that enterpnsj„,r \ustralians have introduced "twoto the French: and white soldiers —with an Indian Syce added as a cosmopolitan touch—throw two pennies into the air tune and again. •• VII the men are as happy a* possible* delighted to be among white pcon'e a (r ain, and iusfc longing to partiin the Big Push, wh.'.i u ovent nates."