The Washington times., 1918-02-06
D. c. SAMMY,
IN CHEERFUL
VEN,WR|TESOF
4OVER THERE"
BY BILL PRICE.

Bows Of the District or Columbia
national guard now in France, close
10 the fighting lines, are comfortably
chartered. working hard and think
ing OF home and friends. Their faith
RS and mothers and girl friends
rome first in their thoughts when
hese thoughts are not upon their
daily work OF preparing for the
-oming onslaught OF the Germans.
An interesting letter was received
7Sday by Hugh q. BuhTman. 602 Dis
1rict building. from Private Frank
.SchisseI. OF the l6lst United States
sfantry. Schissel was clerk in the
Bnreau OF Chemistry in the Depart
uient OF Agriculture, ana a member
% the District national guard when
il was called into service. -
Tells Of Voyage.
sSchissel tells OF the long trip across
DE ocean. The District boys landed
m France New Year Day, and rea"h-
"a their present billet some DIS
lStsr. The District soldiers v Mt
over in the same vessel with soldiers
from California and Oregon and the
writer says that the District soldiers
find the Westerners manly and desfr-
bile companions.
Schissel looks back to the quiet.
simple, everyday life OF Washington
as having real value when compared
10 duties "in the field with an army"
We are billeted in a French coUn-
try village" he goes on. land the
impression OF France We get is about
the same impression q Frenchman
would get if dumped down into the
mountains of Tennessee. The French
farmers do not live so far apart as
in America. Their farms are COM
parativeIy small. and they, therefore,
are close together. with the houses
almost in clusters.
Drink Light Wines.
The houses are OF stone. with
tGick walls. Even the floors are OF
stone and the roofs of brick tile.
There are narrow alleys for the farm
srs Of a community to travel. Every
iHaEe has its hotel, and the thriving
business done would give the Pre-
hibitionists heart failure. Our SOL
diers, though, are allowed only beer
and light wines. cognac and strong
drink being forbidden.
We have not seen much OF the ma
lives because OF the intense tOIO.
when they do come they stand with
their hands IN their pockets, without
hats. They wear short jackets and
wooden shoes and look cold.
During our journey across coun-
Try we were deeply interested after
having nothing but the ocean TO gaze
On for a long time. Every time the
rain stopped we would hop out and
Try TO talk to the French soldiers or
Iistives that were always sure TO be
round. Those few of the boys who
ould talk a little French were in
great demand and translated as the
trench soldiers explained how certain
..rnGments meant so many years OF
serVice or decorations for bravery.
BREAD Girls Sell Ont.
We were introduced 10 the big.
ToaBd French bread with the hard
crIlst The day we left the ship #
as well after 1 O'Clock before any
hing to eat came in sight Some
EIrls with this bread quickly sold out,
md baskets Of apples and cakes found
sady customers. But the boys are
. 1errf6ly up in the air regarding
french money Some OF them will
never be able to figure II out.
The trip took from = o'clock one
Efternoon 10 Z o'clock OF the night
following, and was as strenuous an
experience AZ We could wish The
weather was bitterly cold. and we had
o eat corn-willy right out OF the cans,
With bareback on the side. Hot coffee
LGtions were reached twice a day.
he train bumped along, then rested,
Iben bumped some more. Tho engine
nd cars look almOEt like Toy trains.
When we arrived there was six in,hes
- snow on the ground. and cold
Warm Hay Brings Cheer.
When we finally got settled ia ou-
resent billetS. with plenty OF soft,
" arm hay and d stove. life became