The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-12-21
Letters from Soldiers
THE FRENCH GIRLS GER
TAINLY HAVE PRETTY EYES


Another letter has been received
from Elmer NJ. Johnson, a former
Meridian boy who was for two years
employed by the Beaver River Power
company and later with the Idaho
Power company. He enlisted in
New York and had varied expert
ence with the French army, although
now with the American forces. He
is well known by many in Meridian
Headquarters American Expedi-
tionary Forces. Office of Chief Quar-
termaster, transport Division
France, Nov. "a. 1917
II was perfectly satisfied with the
French army, but they offered the
fellows honorable discharges if they
wished to join the American forces.
! wished to get little local color OF
the American army, so tried to get
in / am now located in the Office
OF the transport division of the quar-
termaster corps, but do not know
whether it is permanent or not. My
work is altogether different from
that in the French service. In the
French army we worked like very
devils, and had the great outdoors in
which to carry on our activities; here
working hours are regulated al
most sedate-and everything is 'un-
In a a
makes enough to afford him diver
sity of amusement, while on our sal
airy of 25 centimes daily, we had to
depend upon our private fortunes for
extra needs, amusement, etc.
The mere fact that l am located
here at eadquarters-THE head
quarters-which is the fountainhead
OF all American activities, and rep
resents more or less the hopes OF a
world of nations in a tangible man
ner, is enough TO keep me enthused.
1t is an immensely inspiring thought
to feel that one is located and TAX
ing an active part-small though il
may beat the headquarters of such
an organization OF might and right
as the great American army.
Insofar as their effect upon the
soldier is concerned the eyes of the
French damsels are as deadly as one
of their gas explosive shells.On &C.
count of constant exercise, ! am real
" able to twist my neck in much
the same manner as those little rat
tle-snake owls back in the Idaho
sagebrush. While l must admit thai
/ prefer American girls in general
to French girls in general
the latter have by far the mos
beautiful eyes. don't know why
but / have always been very suacep
tible to dark, eyed beauties.
1t is too bad that some OF my Ida
no friends have not been able to ge
in one of the branches Of the serv
icas but don't forget that one OF tn
purposes of the selective draft is I,
: keep a bunch of the right sort 0
citizens at home where they can d
their bit as effectively as they cal
out where the pungent, acrid smok
of battle ereeps along the ground
A chap with executive ability an
a knack at organization should b
y able to perform wonders in conser
walton, etc., which are so essential a
this time. Don't think because 20
can't get in the army that you car
not help. Chances are many can d
more out of the army than in it.
We have a plentiful supply {
magazines shipped in here of all tn
popular ones ranging from the "A
lantic Monthly" to the 'Snappy Str
ries," and the Y. M. C. A. is openin
I'D with a good supply of books.LC
cal news from home is so. interesting
Yours truly,
Sergt. Elmer NJ Johnson,
o. G. O. NJ, H. A. E. F.,
Transport Division, France.