The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1918-02-22

months and now have had many ex-
periences in that time, and interesting
ones at that. Our trip across was with
out any great adventure, and 1t was a
fine trip, although little crowded but
not uncomfortable. Our, accommoda-
tiCns by rail were somewhat inconven-
lent and crowded, but we had lots of
fun and saw many new things, espec-
tally enjoying waving at the girls all
along the route. We sure had some
welcome here in force.
1T seems funny not to see farm
houses, as most of the people live in
small villages with all the farms
around the town. The stock is herded
by one or two persons, cattle, goats,
sheep. horses and hogs all together.
The herders are sometimes children.
women or old men. In the morning the
herders blow horn and all the stock
| is turned out and joins single band.
In the evening at the blowing of the
horn, on the return of the herd, the
animals march to their respective
owners. When any special news is re-
ceived an old man goes around the
town pounding on a drum to attract
attention and he spreads the news by
word of mouth. To us Americans this
| is all very amusing.
1--WE have slept in palace of an
old prince of years ago. 1t sure was
beautiful place, especially the carv-
ings monuments and grounds There
were many stables. | would like to
have seen it as it was in the olden
times. l have also seen many other
palaces and old castles. Also old forts
which would be useless in the war of
today.
Il have heard the whistle of Bouch
shells and seen them burst. ! have
seen battling planes in action, both
French and German. 1t is great to
watch them when they are observing
the enemy, and the chances they take
las they are constantly fired upon by
the enemy and shells bursting around
them. l have also smelt gas, and that
We dislike most of all, for we have to
put on masks, and don't like that at
all. But we can give as good as we
take and better, believe me, and you
will hear of our work sometime be-
fore spring.
1T seems like being in deep, dark
forest when going through French
town, with fire flies thick about you,
as search lights are used as a proteGt
tion against raids. I h,.ve seen raiding
planes many times and they are to be
hated as they are used against women
ard children. The French came near
getting the kaiser not long ago during
an air raid. wish they had gotten
the wolf or rather tho skunk. We
have travelled through many battle
swept towns. There is not much of
them left, and the forests are moved
down wherever there he's been bat
tie.
There is snow here now and it has
done away with the fierce mud. We
sure had fine dinner Xmas. | receiv-
ed many Xmas packages, some from
home, the Red Cross and many
friends. Letters arc the most longed
a
greatest excepting chow call and pay
day. The Y. M. c. A. is a great institu-
tiOn and is fully appreciated by the
soldiers. That is the only place we can
get U. S. tobacco, and we don't like
French tobacco"
Durward Smith, under date of jan
uary 1st says:
There were several boxes came to
our section yesterday containing sew
eral pounds of candy. 1t was passed
around a few times and finished. We
had a good dinner of bread, baked po-
tatoes, bacon and gravy and about a
quart of coffee, and l can write now
that l have full stomach. That makes
a great difference in fellows feel
ings.
We now have different sort of
head gear, a woolen helmet, much
better than the hat. If have
time will write the Red Cross at home
thanking them for their gift to me.
Keep on sending the Gazette. l enjoy
| It very much.
81 will tell you little of our duties.
We have to be very careful of our
wearing apparel and keep our shoes
well creased. There is always dish of
grease on the cook shack stove for our
use We have to wash our feet every
night and take extra care of them to
prevent chilblains. Our feet are in
spected once a week and our teeth
once a month We have to bathe once
a week, which is no pleasant job this
weather.
I'VE turned the public wash house
into bath. AS | would not like the
idea of being scrubbed with a brush
and government soap by detail for
| that purpose, will take my bath soon
and regular. Tomorrow we get up at
| 4 o'clock and leave at for hurry
road hike, coming back some time in
the evening, and I will be ready to
turn in when I get back, as | was on
guard last night.
"The book Mrs. Schultz sent me has
been read by five of our section. 1t
was a dandy story, and how good it
seems to get buried in novel and for
get for a while war Ones ears ring
with it, and you know how tired one
gets of subject harped upon all the
time. One fellow stayed up all night
to read the book. as he was on special
duty all day and had no time. 1t must
be taken for granted that we are home
sick Even fellows who have no home,
or friends, are homesick for U. S. A.
There is reason for everything
done here and no foolishness is allow
ed You asked if had changed my po-
sition. have. I was driver of the