Mexico Missouri message., 1918-10-10
SLEEPS ON REAL BED"
Tells OF The Sea-rats-The French
People And Their Ways--Roads
Are Paved.

Lieutenant Paul B. Rowland, who |
is near the fighting line in France,
writes to his grandparents in Mex
leo, Mr.. and Mrs. w. P. Rowland,
as follows:'
Somewhere in France, Sept. IL,
1918.
My Dear Grandparents:
We have at last arrived at what
we may call, for while at least,
our destination. 1t indeed took
much time and travelling to reach
this spot of the Universe, for it is
certainly many miles from the
States. l sent you card stating
my safe arrival overseas and hope
you received it in due time. These
cards were addressed and signed on
the coast of the United States and
held there. Upon our safe arrival
here they were mailed. Therefore
they did not cross the ocean. Our
| trip was very pleasant considering
and much more so than was ex-
pected. We had no trouble with the
| little sea rats-as many OF them
have had, and therefore considered
ourselves fortunate. We were on
the water several days and it was
quite rocky. 1 wish might explain
in detail every occurrence and de-
scribe our present iocation-but
censorship forbids.
Our first impression of France
was anything but good, as we land
ed in a spot that does not do justice
to France. However, upon pene-
trating the interior of this beauti-
} full country we had a pleasant sur
prise and at once changed our i'm
pressions. We found it to be as
, beautiful as had been told us--ev-
cry inch garden spot. 1t is re-
t markable how we'll everything is
3 kept up, with so many men fighting
3 and leaving the women to do the
, work. Never did l see women do as
P much work. No matter what kind II
: may be you see them working at 1t
8 The French people stick to the
n old methods and antique ways ano
e seem slow to grasp anything mod
ern. Sometimes we feel that we
i have dropped back about a century
n We have not had the opportunit!
t to see a great deal of France ye
y but hope to see more of 1t In time
e The roads around here are in excel
o lent condition, everyone paved SO l
o makes travelling quite easy. The,
ii have but few automobiles, and thos
e they have are quite expensive, al
q tho they are even smaller than ou
st Fords. There are more bicycles t
IS travel on than any other convey
u ance. Nearly all of us officers sta
s. toned here have a bicycle to trave
III from one place to another, and a
lg most of us are located away frol
n our companies for sleeping accom-
modations they come in quite haI
Ut dy. We take trips to nearby towT
III and cities when off duty-so get
n see more of the country and enjC
eh visiting these French towns. A Gil
of about 10000 population is loca
ls ed near here, so can soon ride to
nu We are billeted in a fine section
le' the country, l myself rooming vii
IL French family in a town and ha'
~ dandy room. Sleeping on a re
'at bed is much different from sleepil
'es on the cots, as we have been doll
's' for so long. The company also n
ne fine place, being in buildings on
nu large estate. The people build
'A- their buildings of stone as wood
very scarce.
est We have the Germans on the ru
'H and expect to keep them on the
'he General Pershing will finish the X
lei ser at the earliest possible nome
of time.
o Remember it takes a letter
"N long time to make the trip oN
iau here, so write soon. Give the fol
IL my address, as letters are alwf
III appreciated lover here"
al Your loving grandson,
sun Hieut.) p. B. ROWLAND
A! ]. w. Coleman was called to X
lit sas city last week to attend the
s it neral OF his daughter, Mrs. May II