Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-08-30
CLOSE TOUCHES
-. Of CAMP LIFE
DEMOCRATS LETTER FROM MRS
NORTON SHOWS PERSONAL
TOUCHES OF CAMP.
DELICAClEs CLOSELY GUARDED
Soldiers Take Better Care of Food
Than They Do Of
Own Life. ...
(EDITH F. NORTON.)

Own Life.
(EDITH F. NORTON.)
The first day of our stay at L
Panne. running across the dunes to
ward US, we met one Of our boys
Rene. He hailed us joyfully. Faith
er and mother. I am so glad to se'
you" Thus Rene was glad to se
us; he was on "grande repos" in Ii
Panne, so had the full benefit Of oul
stay there. Every day and night h'
spent with US. usually accompanied
by his friend, the corporal. Severa
nights he arrived quite late. but hi
explained this detection. two Of thu
cooks in the kitchen here are from
my little village" he said, "and they
have so much to do that l pare thu
potatoes for them" Eyes, and they
give you good dinner for your trou.
ble," / remarked, which Rene would
not truthfuuIy deny. F.
Rene was most anxious for US to
visit his particular villa. where he
and twenty-five others were quarter
ed. So one day we arrived unan.
nounced. What we saw was shell
Of house. with all the partitions
knocked out. and the boards covered
with straw. Here most Of the twenty
* were gathered. Some sleeping,
some repairing their clothing, others
playing games, group among whom
was Pierre, busy with the manufac-
ture Of rings. Rene met US and
proudly showed us to his particular
corner. Mother, would you like to
try some of our bread% he politely
asked. had heard much of their sour
"Jotfre" bread, so was willing to make
the experiment. Rene disappeared,
and soon returned with two wafer like
sli ces, spread with bacon grease (the
soldiers most common substitute for
butter). why Rene, it's not at all
bad" ! could truthfully say this. l
was shown a feast which a soldier had
prepared for himself and a boon COM
rade, a round pen filled with sparrows
quite nicely cleaned and dressed and
prepared for roasting. He has trap
and catches them all the time"
was informed.
Then had happy thought. With
a soldier friend I disappeared from
the villa. In about fifteen minutes
we were back. Eager eyes regarded
the packages as they were opened.
There was raisin bread, four pounds
of real butter, cakes, chocolate, jam
and golden syrup. The bread was cut.
buttered and handed out, as were the
cakes and chocolate. But Rene gave
1t as his opinion that the jam and
syrup should be reserved for the fol-
lowing morning.
That night Rene paid US his accus-
tom ed visit. "Rene," l said to him,
"how about that jam and syrup? It
wouldn't surprise me at all if the
other boys would find it nd eat it
all while you are away tonight" "Oh
mother, have seen to all that" he
ans wered earnestly, II have left
Pierre standing guard over it,"
The next day l asked Rene how he
and his friends had enjoyed the
sweets. Rene chuckled, I'VE had each
of us, six or eight slices apiece" he
confessed, "and ate up our ration Of
bread or the whole day."
1t was proud Rene, when one day
when with him he encountered his
friend and officer, the Count. The in
PRODUCTION was Of the most informal.
but we all entered into the spirit Of
the occasion and not the least de-
lighted with the encounter was the
Count. But / am afraid the bad boy
spends so much time with you that
he doesnn't keep me clean," he laugh
ingly said to us Creme was doing or
derly duty for him). "Yes, and I get
back to my quarters so late at night,
that give him an hour more OF sleep
ip the morning" Rene added.
am afraid what made Rene late
TO his quarters one night was dif-
ferena affair. He could scarcely tell
me about it for laughing. He and
Corporal Franssen. crossing the dunes
in the darkness, the night before had
found an officer ahead Of them trying
to find his way by means Of tiny
fashlight. Just then stray horse
happened by, following leisurely
course in the darkness. For the next
fifteen minutes these two chased the
horse upon the hapless officer, and
each time he would turn to investi-
gate with his tiny light, they would be
convulsed with silent spasms Of mirth.
But Rene was only the forerunner
Of many Of our soldier guests. 1t be-
came highly exciting as the days pass
ed by, to hear the heavy footsteps Of
approaching soldier feet, as they drew
near oVr door, and as the knock fell
upon our door, to say to each other,
II wonder which one 1t is?"
One of the earliest to arrive was
Jean. His beaming face as he assured
US he could pass two whole days with
his beloved "Pere and Petite Maman,"
we shall never forget. He showed us
proudly his autho-isation, granting
him permission to visit his parents"
during two days, at La Panne. "Your
little Jean is highly esteemed by his
officers" he confided to us. How high
ly, we were to learn later.
Then early one afternoon came