Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-10-29
Letters From theF Front
HARRISBURG BOY FINDS
LIFE IN FRANCE INTERESTING

, watch whose duty II was to keep
sharp lookout for submarines, ana
that made 1t a lot more interesting.
We saw q. school of sharks, one OF
porpoises and a whale. After a whlle'
however the deep blue ocean gradu-
ally lost it's charm and we became
anxious for the sight of land. 1t cer-
tainly was a grand and glorious
feeling" when the lookout finally
shouted Land no." L don't think
land ever looked so good.
The country around here is beauti-
rui and l only wish 1 had the time
to trave4 around and see everything
% be seen. The quaint white houses
with their red roofs stand out in vivid
contrast with the rich brown and
green of the landscape. Then, too,
the water right off the coast is filled
with small fishing boats which make
very pretty picture with their
brown, red and blue sails. Every
thing seems so odd-the houses, cos
tunes of the people, their ways and
manners, and last but not least. the
language. If you want man's-size
job, come over here and try to un-
derstand them; and if you think you
are real good try to talk to chem.
If l am ever unlucky enough to lose
both my hands over here, the good
Lord only knows how I'll get out OF
the country, for 1 certainly know L
couldn't get cut of the country on my
knowledge of French.
The first night we were in camp
We were given liberty to go into town
and it certainly was some experience
looking them over. You can get
plenty of French tobacco, bu it is too
strong and is enough to put you to
sleep and you can rest assured when
l can't get any American tobacco any
more, will quit smoking.
When you address my mail, make
it: Company d, First Telegraph Bat
talon United States Signal Reserve
Corps, American Expeditionary Force.
france, via New York City.
Prisoners COntented
Had my first view of the enemy in
the shape of German prisoners. They
certainly look contented and healthy
and seem to be we'll taken care of.
I may miss my guess. but l don't
think they would need anybody to
guard them, for L don't believe you
could drive them out of here with a
gun.
1 am writing this letter in the Y. NJ.
c. A. tent, and let me state l am for
them first. last and always. 1 never
knew what great work they were
doing until l entered the Army. You
to be able to walk into place thou
sands of miles from home and feel
perfectly at home. Be able to sit
down and read or write letters, hear
someone playing good old ragtime on
a piano and further be able to buy
candy and tobacco. There, too, dur
ing the day they have baseball games
and track meets between the various
companies and at night band con-
.Ng.s.
My advice is that one of the best
ways you can help the boys abroad"
is to back up" the Y. NJ. c. A.
Finds Boys From Home
Was handed quite a surprise the
first day 1 was aboard ship when I
ran into two boys from home. l
thought ! was going to be the first
Lebanon boy to set foot in France.
but had to divide the honor with the
other two. There are a number of
State College boys in camp and last
light we rounded them up and had a
reunion. One of the secretaries at
the Y. NJ. C. A. is a classmate of mine
and he had dinner for us at his
home. We sure had a mighty pleas
ant evening talking over old times.
and. best of all, we had a real square
meal.
sure do miss those old pinochle
games at the Lebanon Club. There
are quite a few of the boys" in the
outfit that can play pinochle and we
play quite often, but they aren't like
the games at the club. Please re-
member me to all the boys at the
club and tell them 1 am in the best
of health and hope to see some of
them over here before long. Write
whenever you can and if possible
send me some Lebanon papers.
GEORGE.