Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-07-04
letter Fran Francis KsoDermott.
Somewhere in France,
June 3rd., 1913

Somewhere in France,
June 3rd., 1913
Dear Mother and All:--Just one
year ago today at this hour l was
on my way to Chicago. Do you re-
memberayou said you thought you
would never see me again, but you
saw ME twice after that. The third
time is always the lucky one. So
don't worry. There is nothing that
is great but what someone has to
take a chance. There are millions
taking chances on what is going
on over here but stop and think
what great cause they are taking
these chances for. Even though
the Huns have gained little
ground on the Somme and a few
points where they were in 1914,
on the Marine, just remember that,
river run red with German blood
and at Chalons the.river was join
ed with bodies of the wooden
heads. A French officer said that
they were experiencing the dark
est hour of the war. No one knows
what General Fech has in store
for. the near future Before you re-
ceive this it may be known to the
world. Every one has confidence
in him. We get news by wire
twice a day from the front. If /
could tell you what frontswe are
on could tell you how much they
would have to advance to cut us
loft, but everything is mum with
us. If you knew where we are
you could look it up on the map,
but from your letter you have no
idea where | am. We have a few
American locomotives in reserve.
They tried to get them this morn
ing about 5 O'Clock but they did
not prove themselves very good
shots. l am talking to French
man tonight. He spoke very high
ly of the Americans and said that
American aviators were as good
as any in the war. The English,
French and Americans, brought
down sixty-eight in one day. The
Americans have not taken a very
active part in any of the big bat
ties with their fighting machines,
but their supplies and their big
round dollars have kept the heart
of all the rest OF the nation beat
| ing. The German army has al
ways proved out like the month of
March. 1t comes in like a lion and
goes out like a lamb. Well, Moth
er dear, tomorrow the sun may be
shining, although it is cloudy to-
day.
But what is the use of repining
I'VE know America is on her way.
She has deep pond to travel,
But she'll be here some day.
When we return to that country
1t will be the same good old U. S.
A.
From the looks of that you
wouldn't think | was bald-headed,
would you? 1t is getting SO you
can't believe a thing you hear. l
heard today was pay day. also
heard Bryan was going to run for
President in Germany next year.
John Nelson got the fever, no not
the spring fever. The DR.. said it
was the trench fever. That is he
did have it but he is up now and
feeling fine. I've been feeling bad.
have got the Literary Digest,
Outside Of that all is we'll. Say
that mail service between over
there and somewhere, is not very
good on packages. Is it? knew
Uncle Sam wouldn't let them slip
him so many packages. How are
you going to send that sweet
stuff? In a letter did you say? All
right send some of those pictures
back that have been sending you.
No kidding, can't you figure out
some way to send little fudge.
No use l guess. The Kaiser has
been trying to get by with some
sweet talk for year. So guess
there is no use trying to slip a
package over. am almost out of
tobacco but l get along good. l
see comrade who looks little
homesick. | go up to him slap him
on the back and say, Don't it
seem good to see fellow from
your own country?" He will look
at the end of his nose and say, .
You bet it does" Then l spring it..
Have you any American tobacco
with your" Get away with it ev-
cry time. had enough to last me
year, but when the Red Cross
Ano;p oor,oa o1nnr tho fQ1lnxuS