The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-08-31

these men or the town had seen and
they were overjoyed to greet some
Yankees on the job. We gave them
some cheers in return, fair ones, too.
Sunday was spent in honor of a
man who had been decorated with
the Legion of Honor and we had the
best dinner I've met since coming
to France. Decorations of boughs and
wild flowers were everywhere.
Uniforms Were Curiosity.
Our uniforms were a source of some
curiosity. For time, their resembl-
ance to that Of the English officer
confused the Frenchmen but the fact
that we were Americans must have
been spread about for on walking
down town, we were greeted as
Americans. Then one evening l found
myself surrounded by group OF
soldiers all talking at once. 1t was
impossible to get their drift and when
they saw this, one man was hurried
away. He returned with halfdressed
fellow who was greatly excited. Re-
turned? No, the half dressed one ran
with his hand outstretched
what the hell" he shouted. "1'm
from Frisco, where are you from?"
This was our introduction to
Frisco" who proved a great friend.
Questions were fired at us from all
sides, how many men will America
send over? How long do you think
the war will last? Questions relating
to every phase of Americas entrance
into the war. Every man who spoke
French had a group of men about
him and "Frisco" had to help out the
rest of u.s. So eager were they that
we were seldom out of the mess hall
before some one brought up Frisco"
to ask questions.
One of the cooks spoke English,
two words. His vocabulary consisted
of call right and very good" 1t was
funny as crutch to see him run
ming about over men at meal time
shouting: Cali right; very good!" as
he brought in the soup, meat or
salad.
During our stay, the soldiers show
ed us every attention, refusing to al
low us to do our own laundry work
or carry our baggage up to the am
balances when we left last night.
What amazed them was our drink
ing water when wine was to be had,
even "All Right, Very Good" gave
up English at the sight Of us lining up
at faucet. They made mighty good
use of the water in shower baths
which were a Joy, heaven knows
when we'll get another real bath.
49, Followed Some Music.
Another evening, Ed and I started
out to find some music and. followed
It into the next yard where there
was an orchestra of seventeen pieces
practicing. Our entrance was the sig
nal for applause and shouts of viva
pAmeriuue." The leader, a former
orchestra leader in New York, apollo
gized for the music because the men
were constantly changing and he was
likely to lose soloist over night.
The music was good, very good after
hearing none for months.
One of the mechanics has just LEFT,
after we had taught him to say mon
key-wrench" in English. He was
tjckled as a kid with new bean
shooter and is a friend of ours. 1t
seems probable that we shall pick
ND a lot of French in the three months
in the field with French officers, cooks
and mechanics.
1 hope to learn by your next letter
that my cablegram was received.
Your letter of July 4, arrived on July
"a rather good time. Please write as
often as you can and let me near
what news comes from the other men
7 know who are in the service.
So far, Jack Le'Claire is the only
Mankato man I've met, missed Louie
Collins and Rittenhouse in Paris