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My Dear Parents:-
Well, the next time I write I hope to be able to tell you what Pres.
Wilson said and how he was received in Nancy. I have permission to go
there for Christmas and I see in today's paper that he is due to spend
Christmas Eve there. Funny we should decide on the same town, isn't it?
"Minds of great men," etc. Nancy is a good days truck ride from here. We
go from here to Toul on the mail truck and get dinner then catch another
one bound for Nancy. Our red Keystones guarantee us rides without trouble.
Haven't taken my regular Sun. walk today. It feels too good beside the
stove here. It rains incessantly and the mud is getting "deeper and
deeper". We still go to school each day and visit in the evening from one
billet to another. Yesterday we were in another battle, -not for our
ideals, but for the movies. We advanced under a real barrage and used
bombs, grenades, and everything to make it spectacular. This is how they
get the pictures you see at home. I have seen movie men and their cameras
at the real front, however.
One of my friends and co-workers is just now attempting to gas me by
eating some moldy cheese here on the same table. I can't go for that
stuff! The bread he is raving over has mold, magots, hair and something
mixed in to make it stink.
Well guess we don't go to Hunland. The latest is that we will remain right
here until such time as we start for home. One of our fellows spent last
week near Bordeaux and he reports that the congestion is great there. Men
camped in "pup" tents for miles awaiting their turn to embark. According
to that dope it will be 3 months at least before our records, etc. can be
set in shape for us to return. I'll be along one of these days! I dreamed
I was there last night. Saw the whole family.
Our fellows who were taken captive at Fismes are straggling back and have
a great many stories to tell of how they were treated by the Bosche. We
have subscribed over 1000 francs for the Christmas Fund to buy toys and
clothes for the French kids here and sent the "Y' man to Nancy for the
stuff. The "Y” is a great institution but the real people over here while
the fight was on were the Salvation Army workers. They were right along on
the front lines baking fries and making flap jacks. The S.A."Lassies" were
only a few miles away in their canteens. The "Y" never came that close.
I'm glad you received the stuff from Aix-les-Bains. Ethel told me you had
it. Her letter is the only one I have received for about two weeks. Surely
was glad when she told me it was a mistake about George Myers. Tell him I
said I was glad he was back pushing up trade instead of "daisies". I sent
Uncle Will and Florence both a souvenir in the same box but the girl in
the "Y" told me the box was too small and that I was taking a chance. I
sent it just the same and I suppose they have it by now. (I never allow
women to advise me, you know.) Have all the returned heroes told you how
disappointed they were that they didn't get over. It is too bad they were
so unfortunate. You can detect that old strain of sarcasm, I suppose. I'm
more cynical than ever and haven't signed up with any "mam.selles" yet.
Have seen some wonderful specimens including many handsome widows,
however. Well it's mess time now and I always report on time so will
close. The undersigned sends all his love to his family and kin.
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