The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1918-12-26
'tLstters From, Our Boys''
Herbert Lauth to HI. Dad

Herbert lauth to His Dad
Dear Dad:
This letter was supposed to have
been written yesterday, but we were
on the move and did not have time
last night. Last May we had special
Mothers letter and now we have a
Fathers Christmas letter. Even's
things up some, don't you think SO?
I ought to be able to write better
one now than l did mamma, as we
can tell everything.
AS you can see by the heading, we
are in Luxembourg. The. scenery is
beautiful through here. One cannot
help but notice the difference be-
tween this province, Belgium, and
France. These people have not suf-
fered by the war, though in the mat
ter of invasion, they were treated the
same as Belgium. Luxembourg has
a population of only 100000 and an
army of 300, all volunteers. So it
would have been useless for them to
try and stop the Germans. Every
thing is well-kept and clean, SO far
as we have gone, and the people are
prosperous. Prices are way up. About
the best example l can give you of
that is in clothing. A suit of clothes
before the war sold for 30 francs and
now the cheapest is 300. Carbon used
to be worth a few sous a kilo (2.2
lbs.) and now it is 100 fr.-about
$4,000. The people are all well-to-
do, or seem that way, They dress
good. and there is as much difference
between these people and those of
France, as there is between us and
the French. German is the prevalent
language, though a good many of
them speak French. Wish, could
understand German, but all can do
is to catch a word here and there.
Can understand and talk French
much better.
We are located eight kilometers
from the city of Luxembourg and will
go in there the first chance have.
From what have heard it is fine
place. This place, where we are now
is not very large, but we have fine
billets. Rooms in the different houses
and in Cafes. There is four of us
in one room with beds. Expect to be
here for nearly a week, but orders
change 50 fast, that there is no GER
tainty about it. Like yesterday, we
did not expect to leave at all, but we
n,,u
will most likely take us into Germany
proper, though l doubt if we ever get
to the Rhine.
Today is rainy, and it has warmed
up. Maybe we will be home before
we see much snow. You know how
it is in the army, SO many conflicting
rumors. So don't think you can. ex-
pect us before we get there. Some
say we will sail from German port
and that seems to be the general i'm
preston higher up. If that is true
we have seen the last of France. We
were lucky to get in the army of
occupation, though at that we may be
the last ones home. Jack O'C is
somewhere near here, but l haven't
been able to see him.
We have not had mail for month
but we have been changing from one
corps to another and travelling so
much that we have been unable to
get it. have not had any October
mail and now it is almost December.
We will be home in time for spring
work alright. We do not know a
great deal of what is going on as
papers are very scarce, and we never
get to see. them.
The other day when we were NOV
ing we saw the president of France
and his wife. Foch is in Luxembourg
today and may go through here, also
saw Gen. Joffre. Pershing is in Mont
st. Martin. This is not a very good
letter but it is hard for me to write
an interesting one. will have lots
to tell later, when l get home. and
you ask me questions. Will close now,
wishing you and all the others a very
happy Christmas this year and many
more to come.
Your loving son
Herbert.
Steinsel, Luxembourg,