Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-02-06
FROM OUR SOLDIER BOYS

by Roscoe w. Morgan, clerk, Chief Engi-
neer Officer. Staff of Gen Pershng A E.
F., France. Army Postoffice No. 706, Nouem-
Der 10, 1517.l
Dear Uncle Joe and Aunt Cora: guess
you think have forgotten TO write but far be
It IRON such. have been busy that
haynt had time to write to anyone EXCEPT
mother, and haven't even written to her as
often as should. But now | have a little
time and so VIII drop you few lines. / don't
know whether it will be a very interesting let
ter or not because the censorship of mail is
very strict over here and / don't want TO put
in anything that should not You know how
il is.
We had wonderful trip coming over. We
came on a transport and Of course didn't
have all the comforts of home, but neverthe-
less ! enjoyed it immensely. There were a
few little Inconvenience TO put up with but
we didn't mind them. The weather was won
derful, there was excitement or trouble
with the little submarines, and we had plenty
70 eat. Now what more could one desire /?
We slept three in stateroom. and the state
rooms were small, but we didn't mind All
we had to do was to eat, sleep and play cards
The novelty wore off after a few days and we
played cards most OF the time. We had
Abandon Ship" drills two or three times
every day so as to be ready in case of emer-
gency and 1t was a good thing, although
we didn't nave occasion to use it in reality
The lights on the ship went out shortly after
sunset and 50 by moonlight would sit on
the deck and sing, tell stories and watch the
light from the moon and stars playing on the
stand
watch the white-caps break over the crest of
huge wave and wonder just how cold the
water was. But as luck had it we didn't have
TO find out from experience. | took a salt
water shower bath on the boat and you can
believe that water was some cold One
day we ran through skule of porpoises and
other days we saw great many flying fish
One day some OF the boys saw what they
thought was whale but they weren't sure
| down in one of the stater6oms playing
cards and 50 | missed it. but | wasn't very
aFNrIft AWNA H. st ali
was that ! wasn't seasick a single bit of the
way. didn't miss meal and when l got
them kept them each and every one.
l am at headquarters but pervious TO
coming here | spent a week in Paris. My
what wonderful town. / worked every day
except the Sunday while there, from to g.
! off | went sightseeing. Twas well
named Gay Paree'' That was a wonderful
week. When ! got back to the hotel Sunday
night | was all in. We all of the best
part of town and believe me l was ready to
go TO bed. l won't go into details as to what
! saw, because in the first place it would take
too long to write all of it and in the second
place have to have time to let it sort of sink
in. l can't remember all of it now myself
there was so much of it. Everything in Paris
was high except taxi's. They were the only
cheap thing in the town. IL cost US between
three and four dollars a day to live while
therefor mere living expenses-not incud-
ing pleasure and You can believe me that cost
be like the dickens, but we knew would
only be there a few days and why should
worry. wanted TO see all there was to
see, and there wasn't much that we missed
There were 25 of and every was just
about broke when We left; some absolutely
broke. But l said we didn't care.
Here at headquarters we live in barracks
something similar to those we lived in while
in camp at Washington We get our meals
don't need much money We have to
pay for our meals but credit is good until
pay day, which isn't far away now. We are
allowed a dollar a day to live and it gives us
plenty of good food and a certain percentage
Of fuel. Our barracks are given to US. My
but this is dead place in comparison TO Paris.
Life is awfully monotonous. but like it, in
way. Guess l will make up some of the sleep
l lost while in Paris. Nothing like a simple
life for a time to make you feel good. And
feel fine now. There's nothing TO do here but
work, eat, sleep and go to work again in the
morning. But at that it is a great life /
am glad | am here. Il is against the censor
regulations to send picture postal cards be-
cause of the name OF the town on it. so |
have 20 write letters to everyone. That of
course takes a .ot of time. Tell the friends
ann relations ny address and tell them to
rite to me. TIL them that it is a lonesome
Lind of life ovt- here and letter is like
unto little ray of sunshine. Maybe you can
imagine how good it lois to get letter from
home from relatives or friends.
by Orvey Jerman, Reserve Company Sc Camp
Joseph f. Johnson. Jacksonville, Florida.
Dear Editor Just received the last two