The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-10-19
On Active Service
With the
American EHped'tionary Force
September rs, 1917.

September rs, 1917.
Dear Dad:
For the opening exercise we will
have Censorship" Your request for
some explanation Of our duties is one
of the most frequent occurrences to
all soldiers who receive letters.
can readily understand and sympa-
thize with you in your curiosity.
We who are here are perhaps as
anxious and willing to give you who
are curious, full particulars and de-
tails as you are anxious to receive
them. | have written two or three
letters and later torn them up for
fear that they would be censored, but
will endeavor considering the sit
uation, to make this letter as inter
esting as possible.
To begin with, | will give you some
idea OF the rural districts of France.
Perhaps / should begin with the soil,
which is chiefly of clay. but unlike
clay soil at home, it is quite fertile.
The French as farmers are entire
ly unlike the typical American farm
er, that is according to ideas of farm
ers. But an American, one who is
making his first tour of France, is in
stantly struck by the beauty of the
French farming districts. The French
farms are divided into small plots of
various products, the chief one of
which seems to be wheat.
Now just try to picture in your mind
field after field with no fences sepa.
rating them, of all farm products with
| the exception of corn, of which | have
seen very little and you will be able
to instantly grasp the idea OF its
superior beauty.
The wheat is practically all cut by
use of the old-fashioned (word omit
ted, binders being very rarely used.
The towns or villages, as one may
choose to call them. are numerous
being about one or two miles apart
In these towns, all the farmers make
their homes, it being very seldom
that a house is seen through the rural
districts. The towns are unusually
very old, containing structures which
were erected perhaps from one to
three hundred years ago. ! remem.
ber one in particular, it having been
built in 1869.
In all buildings one will see the
quaint old fireplace with its cheerful
fire blazing on the hearth. These
buildings are usually two-story struc-
lures, built solidly against one anoth-
er reminding one of the tenement
district of our American cities. They
are constructed chiefly of some sort
of cement which makes them very
substantial.
Well, so much for the rural dis
tricts and villages. The French people
are very Quaint folk, friendly and
seemingly happy, but usually with
that determined air about them which
this great world struggle alone has
taught them.
They usually travel, when going
from one town to another, by a two
wheeled conveyance and horse, or on
bicycles. The roads, being very
smooth, make it exceedingly pleasant
! travelling. The climate is about the
same as in Ohio making it unneces
: sary for me to become used to it.
, ! have tried to make this interest
/ ing and .hope that in return | shall
receive some interesting news from
, home. may add this morning, foT
! the first time, | discovered a fellow
: by the name of Long from Freder
icktown whom ! had known for about
/. two years. / had not recognized hin
{ but think he will prove to be an en-
| ioyable companion.
Bill" (referring to William Taylor
( his cousin) and | have spent seyera
} enjoyable hours together. We were
together nearly all day yesterday and
{ last evening. Well, it is about
. "chow" time, so will close.
Hoping this will interest you, re
} main
? Your son,
CLINTON COE.