Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-10-24

have rain and then the next day we
have more rain and much. deeper, mud.
I suppose from my writing you folks
have gotten the idea that 1t rains at
least "a hours of the: day. It isn't
quite as bad as. all that but can safely
say that we still have the same show
er which started a week ago and viii
continue to have-tfle same until next
may. The information that the boys
gave me who were here last winter
was that the temperature never gets
much below zero but that it is always
cold and damp. The days are. begin
ming to get quite gcoQl especially the
nights Mother's old feather bed
wouldn't feel so bad right now and
about. a half dozen of my football
sweaters. ] have been sorry ever
since | left the states that | didn't
bring some of those sweaters with me
The one which was given me for Xmas
last year is surely seeing service and
is just the thing for this outdoor life
as it can be worn both night and day.
When winter comes l am afraid there
wont be much of a difference in our
night and day manner of clothing. I
dentsthink | have said anything late
lX about wash day, we have things
quite nice at present to- boil cur
clothes. Sunday morning my friend
Shrlvers. and [ take our dirty clothes
to the shop and boil them good en-
the blacksmithshop forge which saves
a lot of scrubbing. The first time
L tried it the fire got rather hot and
all that was left of my underwear was
the buttons and the holes.
:. Fsoar. yoaf daay readings in the
t lade -t.iesWy3spapers and magazines.I sup
Epose your opinion of this war situa-
ton is that the final end has just
about been reached. The news we
| have received the last few weeks from
the boys at the Verdun front and a.
round Metz has been very encourag-
ing and We all are hoping for the
best and are doing our utmost to help
the good work along. This affair
can't end one day too soon to suit me
and all the boys feel the same way.
T -wish.s1 could tell. you more about
things over here but you know the
circumstances. =
Last week we heard splendid lee
ttre given by a professor from Chi
| cage: He told US about things that
were~happening at:home and the work
which was being done by the home
people to help the U. S. in this affair
zFThe. one thing which pleased me in his
talk was the words of praise. he gave
to the. fellows:swho= are stationed in
the depots and1belnnd the lines. He
mentioned the fact that the people at
home only. read and think very little
1 about oYr work and the Importance
'of It. !, don't won't to be giving my
Self any self-praise, but really think
that some of the thingsshe said were
true. His talk was very encouraging
I for us and Sort of put a.little pep ir
the camp. By a special request he
was asked to speak a second night but
for some reason che didn't appear
There is nothing that enjoy anymore
in the line of entertainment than t.
hear an interesting speaker and
never miss the opportunity Of hear
ing "a lecture when a good speaker
comes to-camp. Several times a week
We haVe=the chance to see real Amer.
lcan:z movies : 1t seems good to see
AmeMcan. scenery and American Deo
pie IN pictures and will seem a whole
t lot better to: seerfhe real thing. The
Fast week my working hours have
oe zee, So sort OF Irregular | am now as
slstant engineer at the shop and whe1
.WeSwork two shifts L am the nigh
engineerand work nights. This is a
bout an | can tell you about nv worl
at present.
| think that told you oncetbefor,
that after we were: in. this counts
for SIX months weswere. eptitled to .
few days leave. A couple of dav
ago my friend spoke to our Lieut.
IN regard to a pass and was told tina
ne would see to it, that we would ge
| on: the next leave which will be tn
later part of October. The us. ha
: taken over big French resort knows
, as AK Les Bains for sort. of res
camp. If everything plans out sat
; isfactorilys we intend to spend on
: leave at-rhis place. !.
William j: :Metzger
Advanced Ord: Depot. No, 1 :
A. P..sO. TIP ,xsez
American E. F. -.
by1Tx- L