The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1918-09-26


country and proceeded to use it to
their own liking. But when the
Americans landed here they just
acted as though they did not care a
d-n who owned it, and started in to
fix it up for war purposes. And it
is true. These people are simply
astounded. They are living in a
fairy land of miracles.
Well, my time is limited, so will
bid you good night.
A. B. CORTRIGHT.
Same Place, Sometime Later
Well the other day l bid you
good night, but did not have an op-
portunity to mail the letter, so will
take advantage of few spare
moments this afternoon and add a
few items to my limited letter.
By the way, excuse this paper. l
ran out of stationery and it is almost
impossible to obtain any over here.
You remember took one new ship
from Portland to the East coast, be-
fore | sailed on this one? Well, she
was sunk day before yesterday. Do
not know how many of her crew
were saved. You never know when
they are going to get you, nor where.
wish to say few words concern,
ing the Red Cross and Y. M. C. A.
You cannot imagine the good they
ere doing ever here. 1he Red Gross
society has entire supervision over
the hospitals and the work they try
to do is to bring a home touch and
friendly influence into the lives of
the sick and wounded, and to provide
clean entertainment and amusements
for them, and they are succeeding
wonderfully. They promote theateri-
Gals, minstrels, ball games, boxing
and wrestling matches, musicales,
etc.. for the boys who are unfor
tunate enough to be wounded
Then the Y. M. C. A. Oh! l can
not say enough for them. Their
huts are full and overflowing all the
time and they make every possible
effort to influence the boys to try to
better themselves. They have schools
to instruct the boys in the languages
spoken over here. And when a
fellow goes into their huts, fine,
friendly fellow greets you and
shakes your hand and makes
you feel at home Immediately.
Then there is more. There is the
American touch about it. And let
me tell you that every man over
here is thinking about the good old
U. S, A. and when he is going to be
there again. But the Y. NJ c. a.
gives you access to American papers.
magazines, books, music, candy,
cigarettes, tobacco, cookies You
can meet and talk to some good,
hard working, American women, and
some splendid, fatherly American
men.
And it all seems SO good to the
fellow who has probably never been
out of his native state before and
who suddenly finds himself dropped
down in the midst of people who
do not speak his language. They
furnish the boys with writing ma
terial and quiet place to use it;
with moving picture shows, reading
rooms, athletic material (boxing
gloves, punching bags, base ball ma
terial,) conduct religious services,
furnish entertainments, music, text
books, novels, and in fact everything
to make this place seem as much like
home as possible.
Neither have they forgotten the
officers. They have organized and
furnished an officers club house
where we can rest, read, dine, have
music, play billiards, and buy cigar
cites and tobacco cheaper than you
can in the States.
One Sunday (not long ago. l went
out to beach, not far from here,
that is also conducted under the
auspices of the Y. M. c. A. for
officers only. l will tell you of the
days pleasure.
Enjoyed a beautiful auto ride out
to this beach through this perfectly
charming country. Arrived there
about p. m. Played a few holes
of golf on perfect links (clubs and
balls furnished,) returned to the
hotel and enjoyed two sets of tennis
with two charming little French |
girls. Then rested awhile in the
hotel sun room and listened to an |
orchestra of enlisted men while we
were served with tea and cakes by |
some very nice young ladies just |
from Paris, among them Ambassador |
Sharp's daughter. We met officers |
from all over the U. s. and had a
very interesting round -the-table chat. |
Then everyone went to the beach and |
went in bathing after which we ali |
gathered on the beach and were
martialed through some funny
French games by two little French |
tom-boys who handled old, gray i
haired Colonels and young Ensigns
alike in a masterful way. Returning
to the hotel at 1880 we were served |
an excellent dinner, faultlessly |
cooked, and nicely served. Music
during dinner.
After dinner the choir leader of |
Princeton University entertained us |