The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1918-10-10
STORY ABOUT BIG DRIVE
Continued from Page u

times that He brought me through un
scathed. During the period of action
IN really realizes the serious
ness or the viciousness of the fph,
he's Unexpectedly SO in the artillery
Such was the case in the battle tina,
started July 14th, although we knew
there was no retreating for us, per
chance the. Boche broke through. It
was stick to the last man" according
to orders. We stopped him and stop
ped him hard. I've seer lots of ac-
ton in the last month and half and
am glad Of it. | feel as though | am
a veteran. We spent ITO days of con
can see why a rest m in pretty
handy. During that time I've seen
action on the Lorraine, Champagne
and Marine front. Lots OF travelling,
Ell?
August "a, 1918. Just returned
from doing some washing, SO now for
another letter. The rain drove me in.
1t seems as though fate DEGREES that
| remain dirty. but I'll fool her yet.
You'd laugh to see me kneeling at the
washing trough scrubbing away with
five or six French women for com
panions and all of them j%abbering
away for all they're worth. They sure
do "parle" too fast for me. Every
once in awhile one would get chum-
and pour put a line of talk to me
and all | could say was "oui" and "uh
huh" and look intelligent. I can talk
much better than / can understand
and, believe me, | talk some rotten.
Every one of these small farming
towns has its public washing trough.
1t is usually made of stone in the
shape Of a rectangle, about a foot and
half deep and the edge on top about
a foot wide and slanting, SO as to
give you a sort of a w%ashboard. You
kneel down and go to it. I'm afraid
you'd never sanction washing clothes
in the water, but then you can't be
too particular over here. | washed
out a shirt, two suits of underwear,
Some washing, Ell?
| was just thinking the other night
what a change this war will make in
some fellows. For myself, know be-
fore | always wanted to be free to do
just what l pleased. To settle down
to a quiet life surely appeals to me
now, as I've had all the experience
and adventure | want.
This rain today is some pleasant
change to the hot weather we've been
Talk about scorchers! Yes
was one of them and I walked
four kilometers to the dentist. Had
one tooth filled. I thought I'd perish
before I got there as it was uphill
most of the way, and it wasn't long
before my feet felt like lead. Com
ing back l rested about every two
blocks.
It's nearly time for lights out so
will have to stop now.
August 26, 1918.-Today was my
busy day and | surely wish you could
have seen your once fastidious Sol
| enacted the same role as the white
men you see stumbling up
Nicollet Avenue. pushing a cart and
broom. The rest of the detail said l
pretty good at it but I'm rather
doubtful. I didn't know whether to
take it as a compliment or not; if SO,
It seemed to suggest that that kind
Of work was my proper niche in life.
Oh, well, l guess there's worst jobs.
You see this detail is appointed every
lay to sweep the main street of the
We had quite a 1utter Of excite
ment today. Rumor is around that
eve day leave will start soon.
Gee, they have always seemed so
mythical to me that now there's a
chance of the reality | can hardly be-
ieye it.