Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-11
GRATITUDE FROM FRANCE.
Mrs. Bella p. Learned Thanked by Countess de Beaumont for Gifts of Yarn, Etc.

During October, Mrs. Bella P. Learn ed of Norwich read in a New York paper a letter from Countess Etienne de Beaumont of Paris appealing to American women to send yarn and knitting materials, remnants of yarn and wool. no matter how little, to her. that she might give it to the poor women coming out of the hospitals, re- covering from wounds and illness, and having nothing to do.
 There was no yarn to be had, the letter stated, and they were desperate with their idle hands. Countess de Beaumont gave her address, Rue Duroc, Paris, and said that every thing, no matter how small, would be most gratefully received and acknow- ledged, and photos sent also.
 Mrs. Learned, touched by the sor- rowful appeal, at once sent large box, not only of hanks of yarn, but scraps and half skeins and all she had left from her own knitting; also knitting needles of different sizes and kinds, steel, wood and ivory, besides some pieces of all wool flannel, baudages, etc. The box was sent by parcel post at a very small expense, something like 15 or 20 cents.
 This week Mrs. Learned has re- ceived a most grateful letter of ac- knoWledgment from Countess de Beau mont, with photographs telling better than any words could do of the horror and misery of the war results. The letter is. of course, in French, and, translated, follows:
 2 Rue Duroc, Paris. November 23, 1915. Pardon me if I reply in French; but, while I understand English well, fear writing incorrectly. And I want to thank you immediately, without waiting for the assistance of friends | more ready than I in your beautiful | language. I received yesterday a package con- | taining all that you promised in your | letter of Oct. 14th.
 We will be most grateful for the | needles especially, of which we never can get quite enough the ban6ages and the linen, for which I thank you. | Under conveyance of our hospital | ambulance, I am sending tomorrow | your box, to be given to the refugees | in the region about Rheims. Let me thank you again; you have generously | sent exactly the things which we need | and can make useful.
 i 1 am sending you with this an illus | trated prospectus which will give you l a good idea of the wagons of which we | have a hundred at the front, and | thanks to which we are able to aid ouI | poor sufferers. The photographs in the | pamphlet were taken in my yard, at | Rue Duroc.
 | I am sending also photographs oi | children in a cellar at Rheims. They are orphans whose mothers have beer | killed and whose fathers are at the 1 front, and whom we have rescued.
 The second picture shows my cousin 1 Prince de Chimay. who commands onC | section of the Belgian autocars. Int | tramway pictured at the back ha! served all winter to carry relief tC
 the wounded Belgians the entire lengtl
 of the fighting line of the Yser wher, | Her Majesty the Queen has a hospita | admirably organized.
 The third photograph represents al | unhappy waif whom I myself rescued
 in a house bombarded at Toperhinge
 The mother lay dead beside him, he
 head taken off either by a bomb or
 sword He is now well taken care O
 near St. Omer, where we have givel
 a chateau and beautiful park for ou
 refugees.
 Believe me, Madame. you have m!
 sincerest thanks. I will give you
 kind messages to our poor, unhapp.
 women.
 Yours,
 ETIENNE DE BEAUMONT.