The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-08-19
Story of a Little Trip Toward the Front

boring town. This little girl had since cared for her four little broth. CTS. aged g, z, and 3. She never left them and kept them in very good order. She was, indeed, a perfect lit tie mother. The kindly wife of ine
 prefect had found these refugees
 when the town was evacuated and had placed them in a tent with d number of others, and had then writ ten to our organization to care for them. telephoned to Paris to con- plete the necessary arrangements
 After an excellent lunch, accompanied by this lady. I went out to the camp and there found my sons company at retreat. He was given liberty un- til Sunday afternoon and returned with me to spend the night in the villa. It was very pleasant even. ing with the kindly family, an Eng fish Red Cross lady, who drives car for them, and one or two others. We slept in the chateau itself in couple of rooms reserved for the sous prefet's use. It was very old primitive place but we were very happy to be together. The next day, Sunday, the weather was very beau- tiful and We spent the morning walk ing through the woods and went to the little country church, but the cure was away and there were no masses. After an excellent lunch. We went back to the camp and found everything running admirably and ar engagements made to spend several weeks there while the men and Of fcers were schooled and equipped. We returned for quiet evening meal. Next day we went for the lit. tie children and started for Paris. The railroad journey proved very much longer than normal, owing to various unforeseen events. We spent A hours on the road, most of the time immobie. The children were very good and quiet all along the route. We were greeted by the bright, cheery faces of passing American troops. Among them found officer friends who told me interesting things, and it was strange sight to sec the various na- tionalities mingling together at the various stations. as though it We're the most natural thing in the world. It was evident to me that the Y. M. C. A. should extend its activity as the troops had to await many hours at some stations without being able to get lefreshment or a place to rest. write or read. The splendid morale of these fine American fel- lows was most impressive, as was their coolness and discipline and most of the people were delighted with them and spoke of their good manners in the highest terms.
 Two deputies returned with us, so that We had some interesting co:l- versation. and We arrived in Paris uh the morning of Tuesday the 1lth. weary but contented. Found Dr. Carrel just leaving for his hospital at the front The news seemed bet ter and the spirit was excellent though there was no denying the gravity of the German attempt to get through before sufficient Amer- can aid arrived. l left the children at the station in charge of the Red Cross depot where they had an ex- cellent breakfast, and returned with MT. Jaccaci who has taken them to one of the homes for few days and will then send them to the country keeping the family together. It is one of the most interesting little groups that have seen; bright, healthy, pleasant faced little blond children, and that little girl seemed remarkable in her maturity, intelli- gence and devotion to her little brothers. MT. Jaccaci will give them very special care.
 Dictated the 11th day of June, 1918, by F. R. c.