Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-05-23
Letter From Sergeant Snyder.
At Home, France,
Cundav Anril % 1918

that can say is, 81 am well, and hope
that you are the same" Another
stock phrase is that it is raining and
that there are very few signs OF clear
weather. In fact, the only sign OF 1t
ever stopping are the words OF the ma
tives, who say that it usually stops ram
ing around the first of May. Whether
or not they can get the water turned on
bv that time is question in my mino,
for il has such a good start that don't
see how it will ever get stopped III TWO
days.
company is the only one OF our regi-
ment at this camp. OF course there are
lots of souadrons and other troops here,
but we are the only Motor Mechanics
here. and we hold rather unique posi-
ton. We are the envy of every organ
ization here, for we feel our impor-
lance, as every one of our men who is
available is in great demand at the
shops I'D on the hill. We have about
TWENTY-FIVE of the best automobile en-
CINE mechanics that | have ever seen,
and in almost every trade we have men
who are proficient TO degree, ana wnen
there is anything to be done up at the
works it is our men that they always
call on. The best part OF 1t is that they
deliver the goods every time, and be-
cause of this our company is mighty
popular at headquarters.
This morning Captain Edwards has
gone up to regimental headquarters on
company business, distance OF perhaps
rs miles, and since both OF our lieu
tenants are on truck conveys, am the
boss. am used to being left alone
though, for every now and then the Of
ficers all get away. There is not much
to do, and | think III have a pretty
quiet time, for Sunday is easy. Most OF
the men have.gone to town on pass, and
a rainy day is usually uneventful.
1t doesn't pay man to get drunk over
here and get caught at it. Our mess
sergeant has certainly got it bad. A
few days ago he went to town and I'M
bibed too freely, and the Military Police
put him in the lookup. He was too
drunk to move around much, but he was
still able to realize that he was in jail,
and by much twisting and squirming he
managed to get through window on to
an adjacent roof. He could have gotten
away beautifully if he had gone around
a skylight instead of through 1t. he
did not get all the way through though,
for his feet caught in some cross-bars,
and there he hung for while until the
police came and took him down. The
next morning they brought him out to
camp and we placed him under arrest.
Yesterday he was tiled before the sum-
mary court, and all he got was three
months confinement at hard labor,
two-thirds OF his pay for like period
and reduced from sergeant to a private.
That is the maximum sentence for the
plain charge Of drunk, and every man
who is convicted gets the maximum |
might add that these heavy sentences
are enough to keep the men straight,
but once in a while one will slip up and
get pinched.
Same Day, 9 P. M.
Well, the day is practically over and
it won't be long now until "hit the
hay" 1t cleared off this afternoon and
the sun came out and also the people
from the town. think that the entire
population of R must have prom
enaded past the barracks this afternoon.
All ages and classes, men and women,
kept going by in continuous stream.
We had as much fun as they did, /
guess. This is great country for BIZ
cycle riding and there must have been a
thousand by here today. If we didn't
have the motorcycle, I'd have to get me
one. BY the way, am sure getting to
be some proficient on the motorcycle.
By now We are boon companions and we
get around as if we had been together
all our lives. 1t isn't so kind to supply
sergeant, however, for yesterday it tried
to Gimp telephone pole with him. No,
| wasn't with him, nor will | ride with
him. I'm brave, but Pm also careful.
| almost forgot to tell you about the
concert We had at the I. M. 4. A. last
Sunday night. Some time during the
afternoon the word was passed around
that there was to be good concert at
the "Y." that night, and a, the ap-
pointed time the building was filled to
overlooking with soldiers. And it was
a enough concert, too. The talent
was composed of French woman who
used to be with the Metropolitan Opera
but is now with the Opera Comique at
Paris; a tenor who is also from Paris;
and.a violinist. don't know where he
was from. An American officer was the
accompanies, and he was not the least
of the bunch, by any means. Well, |
believe that it was the best musical con-
cert have ever heard. The lady had
mezzo-Soprano voice as clear as a bell,
and that, combined with her French
training, made wonderful combination.
She sang several grand opera selections
mostly above our heads, and then some
of the more familiar songs. AS her
closing number she sang the French
national hymn, "Marsellaise." AS long
as live shall remember the spirit and
feeling with which she rendered that
song. Ii was simply magnificent, and
the memory of that show of patriotism
will linger long. A few of us thought
that she was Spanish, but after she sang
"The MarSellaiSe" there was no doubt in
our minds.
The man sang many familiar songs,
and we all enjoyed him to the fullest
extent, and he was given a hearty re-
ception. Now for the violinist 1t was
rumored that at one time he was court
violinist to the Queen Of Roumania.
Well, after you had heard him play you
could believe anything about him.
never in my life have heard such music
as he drew from his violin, and that he
was an artist was shown that while he
was playing he had the absolute atten-
ton of everyone in the hall. The only
trouble was that he did not play enough.
Taken as whole, il was most delight
full entertainment, and again We must
give credit TO the Y M. c. A. They are
doing great big work here and when
all of their busldings are furnished
there will be four large buildings in the
camp proper, and one in town. The
secretary of our "Y." is James Hanson,
of Rochester, N. Y, and already we
are calling him "Jim," and he comes
back at us in like manner. He is a
thoroughly good sport and we have
some mighty fine times. Sunday we
L.