The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1918-12-04
Lieut.. Maher Tells
of Trip to England
ENJOYS EXPERIENCES INCLUD-
ING OCEAN TRIP ON TRANS
PORT AND CENSORSHIP
DUTIES.

F1rSL Will describe our ocean
voyage. l meant to keep diary and
write every day but it was such a 1
lazy life all did was sleep and eat
and verify believe I gained at leafs
ten pounds during the trip. We had
two boat drills day which lasted for
about ten minutes each time and
which was for the purpose of teach
ing the men how to get to the life
boats quickly. Out side Of that our
time was our own and mine was
spent as afore mentioned. I expect
ed to get sea sick but only bother
ed the first day out and then not
enough to make me feed the fishes.
However, was lucky because some
of the men were indisposed during
half the trip and many were the con-
tests to see who had the strongest
stomach muscles for putting distance.
And how we did eat. Breakfast
at nine, luncheon at twelve-th thirty,
tea at four dinner at six-thirty. Every
thing was served in courses by Eng
lish walters who were the height of
perfection in that art. There was
six at the table where I ate and we
never missed meal or single item
on the menu. Our waitetr-who's
name was Peter and was as old as
my Dad used to laugh when we told
him to start at the top Of the menu
and not miss anything. There was
always soup, fish and cold meat,
then lobster or crab and that follow
ed by a roast, chicken, duck or pork
usually. Then dessert followed by
coffee and cigarettes or cigars.
And the sea was wonderful during
the entire trip Only once was it
rough and that only bad enough to
make it a worth while experience.
That night we sat up rather late and
when the clouds broke up we went
out on deck in the moonlight and re-
ally | can not begin to describe it all
ally con not describe how it all
was. The spray came clear over the
ships so we didn't stay out long but
l hope we have another such night
when we go back. But when all is said
and done / would rather do my trav-
cling on train, on good old terra
firma.
| AS far as danger from our friend
the Hun was concerned there was
none, for which | was very thankful
I assure you. When | would gaze
into the depth of that old home of
million secrets and try and imagine
hanging onto a raft in it's cold old
arms had a good many chills in the
region Of my spine. And from the
day we started until the day we land
ed / never had my clothes off. Not
even my shoes-it was against or
4 4 NJ hoI f<x~ c1c o1,l oIyn
one was glad when it was over-which
was three days ago and we left the
night mentioned in my Dix letter.
Even now l can hear the fog horn
and feel the roll of theship.
But l must tell you about England
and her customs and old stone piles
and pretty girls. There one passes
to the left instead Of to the right
when walking or riding. The only
automobiles I saw were Fords and
Overlands- mostly "Henrys"." The
town is one of the oldest and the
buildings are all chimmeys-one for
each room you know, and they all
have the oriol windows. There are
stone walls that could only have been
built before B. C. and the walls and
buildings are all of the same kind Of
stone.
But as farmers the English can't
be beat and every acre and inch is
under cultivation. 1t has always been
that way so / hear.
But the girls make up for every
thing. They are almost as nice and
as good looking as our own Ameri-
can girls. There is only one thing
I don't agree with-they smoke cigar
cites whenever and wherever they
please. I felt real shocked at first
! / am company censor and have to
read all the letters written by the boys
and it is some job. But it is fun.
Last night l sat up for four hours on
the boat, and read letters and of all
the lies and love and kisses that was
the limit! One kid proposed to five
different girls and three of them live
in the same town. feel for him he
gets back. Another thanked his
girls mother for a cake he received
while at Dix saying, 81 gave it to
some of the boys in the tent, them
guys would eat anything. Il bet the
mother felt highly flattered, don't
you?
I don't understand this censor ship
stuff very we'll myself and when | do
maybe I can tell you few things
about what we are do;ng-after it is
done of course.
We ate at an English club today
and am writing this letter at the
same place. We are not allowed to
leave the camp here. They serve a
light wine with meals here but it
tastes like medicine to me and don't
think l will get used Of the habit.
Some guy is giving speech at the
present moment but it is something
about subscribing for a newspaper Of
some kind or other and that line is
a little to old to interest me.