The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1918-09-16
MISS ANN Y. PECK
WRITES HOME
OF HOSPITAL WORK
Had Fred Elliot of st.
Johnsbury as One of
Her Patients
NO LOVELIER TREES
IN THE WORLD
And the Blanket Has Been
''FrOm the American
Front to the Gates
of Heaven

The following letter from Miss
Ann Peck was written to her sister,
Miss Kate Peck, teacher of Grade 8,
Summer street schools. Miss Ann
Peck was in the Pau section in 1916.
She returned to America, and when
the U. S. entered the war, she went
to France as an army nurse.
August II, 1918
Somewhere in France
Dear Katherine:-
A year ago I was on my way over
here and so happy to be coming back
to my dear France. The year has
gone like flash and tho now and
then l get spells of homesickness,
am awfully glad to be here feeling
so well and happy in this work. There
have been so many changes and
events since going to Toul! l have
started several Letters to you but
never seem to get down to the COM
pletion of one letter.
Had slight touch of bronchitis
and pleurisy early in July so went
down TO Pyrennes Mountains for a
leave. Had such glorious time in
Canteret-a village in the mountains,
where many Of my Pau friends go for
July and August. 1t was real treat
to be with them again. Splendid hotel
service and comforts l had not real
lied we're possible in the France of
today; but the popularity of this
quiet, alluring. spot in the cool
heights is responsible thru the year
ly visitors from Pau, Biarritz and
Spanish sections-in providing nu-
merous luxuries that are not enjoyed
elsewhere.
Was transferred with two other
nurses last week to this new service
on hospital train 50. We are going
! to find it far more interesting work
| than at our base hospital and es-
pecially just now during so much
fighting. This is going to make up
in way for my short stay at Toul
last winter. It is even more inter
esting for we go up to the front al
different points and bring the wound
ed back to the different base hos
pitfalls all over France, not only ar
opportunity to see every section o1
France but on return trips there is
time for reading. books and writing
letters, two pleasures that | rarely
indulge in, as meyer find time.
f. Last week we went up to the sec,
tion that was occupied by the Boches
a few days before. Then had a 2S
hour trip with our wounded and gas
cases to base in lovely mountain
district in Central France. Sucl
glorious scenery-surely there are NJ
lovelier trees in the world or more ar
tistic in outline and grouping than il
certain parts Of France.
We have a wonderfully equipped
hospital train-a United States one
tho made in England | believe. I
. is huge-has accommodations for
small village of people and nice littl'
comforts. In one car are the com
, partments for the doctors and tn,
officers in one half and in the othe
are ours. We have a suite of sittin,
room, bedroom and dining room. Al
, done in white walls, brown wood
work and tapestry upholstering il
: bright colors. The one bedroom ha
! two berths, the sitting room one an
dining room one. By day these ar
made into big couches. Chairs, desk
: closet, electric fans complete tn
conveniences. No, I must add lon
4 mirrors.
We have a colored chef who pre-
pares simple food for our meals bu
very well cooked and always so mic
and hot. Have delicious hot biscuit
make me long for maple syrup, bu
Karo has to do. However it is hone
season and you can get wonderfu
strained honey here in France.
When we have a train full @
i wounded we are all busy with dress
ings, Carrel treatments and re
lieving the badly burned gas case
as much as possible during a lon
, tedious ride. This is the one aim G
v everybody. There are a large nun
:, Der of corps men on the unit wh
f also care for the men and their spir
e and kindness is a splendid thing t
). witness. They all seem to like th
e kind of work tho all naturally fet
n that they would rather be taking
e rect part in the big battles.
+ Had very nice letter from
e | must answer as soon as | can. TIL
S Academy sent out letters to all il
d alumni who are in the service Thin
h it was such a thoughtful thing t
e do as am sure they all feel as [ d
;. it is CHEEKY to get an unexpecte
:, greeting when you feel so far ava,
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