Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-08-31

are all named after dead animals
and there are a whole lot of streets.
Have not picked mine out yet. From
the looks of the streets am not sure
if its an honor.
This is our third day here and we
have spent all that time collecting
equipment Everything but our
badges, which consists of a wreath
with one wing and gold star in the
center. It's quite appropriate and
reminds me of q chicken with one
wing cut. He's a bum tiierl When
you pass your tests, another wing
is added to the wreath.
Plank For Bed
Beds consist of an inch plank, 6
feet long by feet wide, raised off
the floor 1 foot by three horses. A
tick filled with straw is laid on top
of this together with a canvas COW
er, two heavy blankets and straw
pillow. / lost no time in spreading
camphor all through that straw and
was not bitten so tar.
In the line of clothing we receive
a cap, two heavy shirts. two pair
underwear, pair of hob-nailed
shoes, one light, the other heavy;
pair of baggy blue corduroy
coat No socks given me so am
glad l brought some along. 1t took
us all day to get that. Oh, l for
got, we got our feathers" too which
consisted of black leather coat and
pants, also "casque" "a heavy-ap-
pearing helmet to protect your
head,) which is very light. A wool
en- cap, which covers the head, neck,
in fact every thing but the nose and
eyes, and is worn under the helmet.
A dandy pair of goggles, which are
Ia IL al l., Il
Trousers were too large for me, so
took them back this A. M. and by
sign language, few words of French
and the enormous tip of 20 centime es
a cents) secured a pair that fit and
button at the knee which are the
envy of the whole bunch. l fear
I'll have to sleep with them under
my pillow as several fellows have
threatened to steal them.
Am drawing undue attention to
myself as Stickney just came past
and noticing me writing, loudly re-
marked page IA and he's still writ
ing" and went on to propose that
/ divide the letter up among the
bunch as letters come hard with
them. One fellow wanted to know
what / was going to name the book
Stamps are not necessary, the
initials, f. M. (French Militaire)
carrying the letter. They say cents
are required at the other end. Let
me know If that is so, and 1 will
put stamp on them hereafter.
Just got my badge but have no
pin which to fasten it on. Hope 1
get one soon as it means months
in Jail If you lose 1t. Speaking about
Jail, one gets days crossing any
flying field by any other way except
the road. l know, because 1 nearly
broke the rule in my ignorance.
Have not yet learned who and
who not to salute. l don't like to
start as goodness knows where Ill
end, as even these servants Anamis
are above me in military rank, they
being first class privates, where l am
only second-class. However avia-
tors get a lot of privileges in the mil
itary line.
Rain Stops Drill
Went to drill this A. NJ and after
executing a few maneuvers and ball
ing up several more, a rain storm
dispersed the company in disorder.
Drill was therefore called off. We
were to report at 11.15 again, but
as it was still raining we were all
excused. Report again at $50
p. M. for flying class. Hope it
stops raining as l want to get
started. Supper is at s, so it looks
as if we miss the eats. However
we can eat again at and 10, SO
should worry.
Have to stop now. Ink Is nearly
all. Hurry up and answer please.
Yes, am fed very well, thank you.
WALTER