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Dear Dad:-
It is Sunday morning and the last day of my furlough. I have had a great
rest and seen many beautiful sights. It is just the time of year now when
all the trees are turning and the scenery is wonderful. It was hard to get
used to the first few days here. Everything was so quiet and peaceful.
Hardly knew how to act. Our Gov't. has taken over most all these famous
resorts and we are put up in the same way as the millionaires were who
used to frequent them. This building where I am writing from was at one
time one of the greatest gambling houses in Europe. They say Harry Thaw
lost a cool half million here in less than an hour. It covers almost an
acre and has theaters, dance halls and everything that pertains to the
entertainment of the idle rich under the same roof. At present it is the
home of our Y.M.C.A. In the billiard room some of the old signs are still
on the walls. We play for nothing on the same tables that those birds used
to pay 1000 francs per cue. It was here yesterday I heard two doughboys
argueing. One says, "They tell me H. K. Thaw used to stay at the same
hotel you are in." The other replies "Well that's nothing, he has nothing
on me, I've done more for the world that that ever did." Pretty fair logic
at that. ---
Our Division is getting a warm welcome here and everywhere. Here in the
"Y" they have a poster with Pershing's speech on it calling the boys from
Penna. The "Iron Men". He gave us Keystones some sendoff. When I recall
some of the sights and some of the stuff I saw many of the boys pull I
think maybe he knows, because old Penna. you know always did turn them
out. And these foreigners in our Division, they are great warriors. I'll
tell you of one small instance I witnessed with my own eyes and that was a
little Dago go forward himself with three hand grenades and bomb a German
M. G. emplacement and bring back the gun and nine prisoners. I also heard
of an Irishman from Erie who was on a small excursion of his own in
search of souvenirs. He had four grenades and in a search for trouble he
found a German dugout. He called down the entrance "Is there anyone in
there?" The ans. came back, "Ya"! "How many"? says Pat. "Eight" said the
German. "Well, divide these up among you" says he and threw the bombs down
the chute. We have all nationalities and I'll hand it to these foreigners
they are fearless.
On our way back we had a long hike and were covered with mud. No one had
shaved for weeks, our clothes were in shreds and we were a hard lot. Well
we came back thru the S.O.S. (service of supply) area. That is the fellows
who work behind the lines. You know it takes eight men behind the lines to
every one on the lines. As I was going to tell you, though, the fellows
all lined up to see the guys come back and buy their souvenirs. We came
along in our dilapidated condition and were resting where a company of
niggers were repairing the road. Of course, our bunch started to hand it
to the coons and we were having a great time. One shine however pulled the
best yet. He gave us a careful scrutinizing and after he had run his eye
up and down this hard looking gang he said to one of our fellows. "Say,
boss, does anybody in that outfit speak English"? When we came to the rail
head some of our bunch were singing a song which one had composed and
which almost caused a grand free for all. It was something about, "Mothers
take down your service flag, your son's in S.O.S." You would have enjoyed
the minstrel the
coons put on here last night. Talk about playing and singing buck &
winging & ball in the jack. They are having the time of their life. It was
some show.
I'm only sorry that Hump was so unlucky or we might have been together for
good because his transfer to our section was on its way through when he
was knocked out. I would like to hear from him or of him soon.
I had a few pictures taken and they are not so good because it was a
flashlight and the noise frightened me. Sort of shell shocked, you know.
I'll have to go eat now for tomorrow I'll be on my way back where the
meals are not very regular. Pass around the kisses dad, and give my love
to all. Here's hoping I can soon be with you and tell you about it all.
I'm figuring next spring!
So long!
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