Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1918-07-25
A LETTER TO
MRS. {. v. E0AULS
June 81, 1918.
Dear Friends:

June 21, 1918.
: Dear Friends:
Again the scene has changed
for me and now l am up here where
it is a good deal warmer than il
was up on the other front. l am
up here where there are lots OF
marines.
We had a splendid trip overland
: which l enjoyed very much. We
visited several large cities and
must say my opinion OF France is
=! changed completely. They rean know
how TO do things Especially were We
well treated in towns where there
are no American soldiers. The SOL
idiers, you know, spoil a good time;
they have too much money and are
too anxious to spend it. The first
day on our way up was really won
derful. The weather was Just right
and the country was beautiful. Every
where women were working in the
fields, hoefng, raking. and doing a
mans part generally. They cut their
! hay with hand scythe and hand rakes
tie it into bundles and haul it to
the loft in carts drawn by oxen or
dogs or whatever they have. handy.
Some fields are just one big spot
of red where what We call California
poppies grow; others are covered
with yellow and all along the way
one is aware Of the wonderous beau
ty that you never see in the States
| All the handiwork of a noble nation
of men and women. wish you could
see how the noble women are sup
porting their. beloved country by
working hard from morning till night
while the men brayely shoulder a.
gun and go off to fight the dreaded
Hun.
We stopped in a large town and
We pleased. After wand ing about
for a time We finally located a cafe
and proceede to have feed, eggs,
potatoes French fried, bbeef steak,
and a few strawberries, just a
taste of the latter but it was enough
to awaken old memories and----0f.
course l thought ofyou. Sometimes
/ wonder if l shall ever forget those
wonderful short cakes of yours. I
suppose you are right in the midst
of the strawberry season now. Eat a
good big piece and think of me.
The next day was just as nice
only We were continually reminded
of the horror ahead. Along the road
came the refugees driven from their
homes by the oncomins Boche. Some
were in carts piled high with house
hold goods all, perhaps they have
left in the world. Others came along
with carts drawn by dogs, others
with oxen, and still others pushing
old women With lit
tie children trudging along hanging
to their skirts, crying and screaching
till you would think their hearts
would break. This, / think, is the
sad6est part of the war and you
can bet that it sows seed of ha-
red that will last unit every Ger
man is accounted for.
Upon arriving at our destination we
We're billited in houses just left by
their owners. The places were just
as they were when they pulled out
The stove was still up, beds were
made, dressers still held their con-
tents of white goods and the clock
was still running and it had the cor
rect time. All this didn't stay the
same because we had to have a place
to sleep and eat and then the boys
are curious and were not satisfied
until every thing had been gone
thru. They had a great time dress
ing up in the "old mans" clothes.
Dolls, music boxes, religious arti-
cles; everything that you will find
in any home-an accumulation OF
articles that it takes years to. get
all left in their hasty de- ;
parture.
NOW we are StlUCu anu OuI WI n
is again taking form and If GOO
will continue to give us strength to
carry on the good work our COM
rades have so gallantly started we
hope to put the "kibouch" on the
Kaiser and make n hasty trip back
home but not until he is thorough
ly whipped will we think of home
and all that is dear to our hearts.
Give my best regards to everyone !
l know in Payette and especially the
and you, you will aways ,
live in my memory as one Of my
best friends, IA
Very truly yours
Ronald F. Rose J.,
B Co. Goth Eng.
F Section No ;
l.,