Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-05-14
LETTER FROM YOUNG LADY EN-.
GAGGED in "Y" WAR WORK
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE

Miss Lottie Frank, teacher in the
Franklin school here, has received the
following letter from a young lady,
who is doing her bit' in France.
Where she speaks of Mr. Mathisson in
the letter, she refers to Clarence
Mathisson, better known as "Nocky'
of this city.
Y. NJ. C. A. Headquarters,
U. S. Army P. O., A. E. F.,
March 26, 1918.
My dear Miss Frank:
Mr.. Mathisson says that you have
heard of the "Y. M. G. A. LADY, here
and has asked me to write you some of
my experiences. He tells me that you
are one of the many people who are
wishing that they could be here in the
very place where | am so fortunate as
to be.
Now, I wish / knew just the kind
of things that you would like to hear
and what I can tell you that you do
not already know, for judging from
the length of time that seems to be
spent in writing, I fancy you know a
very great deal of here
I must tell you right away that you
must not judge the lives of other
American women in France by my
accounts for some special kindness
has accompanied my every move, and
far from enduring the hardships
which were to be expected. l have
been surrounded by every care and
comfort.
Our trip over was very trying in
that the weather was very bad and
was very miserable, but some good
soul each day helped me on deck and
always there were four or five men
to bring me fruit or amuse me, so
right away l began to get spoiled by
much kindness.
In Paris where l was for three
weeks, I was fortunate enough to be
given little canteen for myself and
met the soldiers for the first time. At
this particular place no officers came.
1t was a tiny room, very unattract-
i've, but always filled with men, writ
ing, smoking, always the air was blue
with smoke, playing games, victrola,
and then there was the counter, where
sold my wares and chocolate (Which
| always made, and washed the dish
esq. At that time the law forbidding
cakes was not in effect, and so we sold
wonderful French pastry with the
chocolate, but that is passed and no
more to be bought in France anywhere,
and the French bread now is hor-
rible. l Nsed to leave there at 1870
o'clock at nights and take bus to
my hotel-all alone. 1t was rather
unpleasant as the streets have almost
no lights. | knew so little French that
[ could not ask my way and under
stand the answer.
| had one exciting experience for
was in a raid-a bomb falling within
two blocks of our hotel. l refused to
go to the cellar, but hung out the win
dow looking and listening. 1t was alb
solutely too thrilling-the continual
Whirring of the planes and the ex-
plOding of the bombs, and we could
see the planes very easily from the
window. An auto with a siren goes
through the streets announcing a raid,
and at once all lights are eXtinguished
"a soldier stationed in our hotel and
all guests ordered to the cellar. This
particular raid lasted two hours.
When raid is over an auto with
bugle sounding retreat goes up and
down the streets and the weary people
fall into bed, too excited to sleep.
My trip from Paris to Bordeaux was
my first experience alone in France.
1t took from eight in the morning until
six at night. All French people in
the compartment. / travel first class
military ticket
My uniform is a grey suit with hya-
cinth blue collar with Y. M. C. A. on
the sleeve. A grey hat with the tri-
angle on the front, faced with the
blue, white flannel shirt with blue tie
and wonderful dark green cape with
blue collar.
In Bordeaux I was detained again
to help in a huge canteen-a whole
building where no money has been
spared to make for comfort. Hun
dreds of men came here each day. It
was one of the few places in France
where it is possible to buy ice cream.
Many well known ladies help there
and it was altogether interesting and
different experiences. l had charge
OF the money and making up the books
and it was very difficult The French
money is such poor paper that it is
generally in shreds.
~AAtSl oIdy IuSIc L CdIl6 mere,
where as you know I am the only
lady, and oh so happy to be here. We
have wonderful men-officers and pri-
vates-with a splendid spirit exist
ing, and it is enough to make a woman
very proud to be part of it all. Our
"Y' is very crude-white walls-two
fire places-billiard table-piano-
victrOla - crude benches - unplaned
lumber-and a shelf for writing and.
of course, the counter. | used to
make cocoa over the fire place to sell
but now | am fortunate and have a
stove in the back yard out of an iron
ash barrel. Of course, you know I
have man detailed to help me, and
have been so fortunate in the men they
have given me. The week Mr.. Mathis
son was with me it happened to be
particularly difficult one, but he was
so full of fun and spirits that ii
helped matters along a great deal,
and when he asked me to write you
long letter, | was only too glad to do
it, to show my appreciation of all he
had done for the "Y." 1 only trust
your patience has not been entirely
exhausted. l am asking him to read
it before l send it.
Cordially yours,
CORNELIA c. TAYLOR.