and conduct the old man.

Unfortunately there was no daughter to give in matrimony so that they
might marry and live happily ever after. But on my last trip home I
caught a glimpse of an unknown girlish face behind Madame Lemot's
counter, and somebody told me it was her niece.

It would not only be unfair, but a gross error on my part to attempt to
depict life in our quarter without mentioning one of the most notable
inhabitants--namely Monsieur Alexandre Clouet, taylor, so read the sign
over the door of the shop belonging to this pompous little person--who
closed that shop on August 2nd, 1914, and rallied to the colours. But
unlike the vulgar herd he did not scribble in huge chalk letters all
over the blinds--"The boss has joined the army." No, indeed, not he!

Twenty four hours later appeared a most elaborate meticulous sign which
announced:

MONSIEUR CLOUET

wishes to inform his numerous
customers that he has joined the ranks
of the 169th infantry, and shall do
his duty as a Frenchman.

His wife returned to her father's home, and it was she who pasted up
the series of neat little bulletins. First we read:

MONSIEUR CLOUET

is in the trenches but his health is
excellent.

He begs his customers and friends
to send him news of themselves.
Postal Sector 24X.

I showed the little sign to my friends who grew to take an interest in
Monsieur Clouet's personal welfare, and passing by his shop they would
copy down the latest news and forward it to me, first at Villiers, and
afterwards to the States.

It is thus that I learned that Monsieur Clouet, gloriously wounded, had
been cared for at a hospital in Cahors, and later on that he had
recovered, rejoined his depot and finally returned to the front.

One of my first outings during my last trip sent me in the direction of
Monsieur Clouet's abode. I was decidedly anxious to know what had
become of him. To my surprise I found the shop open, but a huge
announcement hung just above the entrance.

MONSIEUR CLOUET

gloriously wounded and decorated
with the Military Medal, regrets to
state that in future it will be
impossible for him to continue giving his
personal attention to his business.

His wife and his father-in-law will
hereafter combine their efforts to give
every satisfaction to his numerous
customers.

I entered. For the moment the wife and the father-in-law were
combining their efforts to con