The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1918-02-21

Captain 7. S. Henry
Writes to Friend Bill
Hdqrs. 164th Inf. A. f. F., in France

MY Dear BILL: sometime ago SenC
you card, l wonder if~you received
it. Today is a beautiful day and it
makes me think of my good friends.
l suppose you wonder where / am,
but l cannot tell you; some day you
will know. ....
I have travelled through one of the
most beautiful parts Of France, with
its orchards and vineyards, its queer
dwellings-quaint costumes and SEEM
ingly queer customs. Of course the
buildings are Of stone, cement or
brick, that is the principal reason
they require no fire apparatus, except
the most simple in the towns and vii
lagos, and in many cities. The French
people do not waste anything, and
that also has something to do with
cutting down the fire hazard. l wish
l could tell you more about this, but
l haven't looked into it, yet, but will
some day before the Firemen's con-
vention, and you may get some ideas
for your speech at that time.
I think I told you in my card about
the kindness of the French people, to
US, (the card has not been received) :,
and their good nature and patience
in trying to understand when we make
signs or talk our murderous French
to them. It is laughable to see some
soldier trying to make himself under
stood by Frenchman. I know how
it is, as have many times been pain
fully telling them in few French
words, (nearly always mispronounc-
ed), interspersed with Spanish and
English and numerous arm and hand
motions, my wants. think, perhaps,
before the American army leaves this
country, the French will know more
English than we do French.
/ can order a meal in French quite
well, now however, now, usually
carry a phrase book with me so !
wont get stuck.
We have been very busy since we
arrived from U. S., have been in many
stations, travelling is a joke here,
nothing like in U. S. By the way,
saw Bernard johnson (my old school
mate) when l was in England. He
came to the camp to see me, you re-
member him don't you, son Of the
Johnson who run the Farmhouse
store in Valley City in the early COS;
Bernard is married, has a baby girl
and is doing fairly we'll in the haber-
dashery business, l persuaded him to
come to the states after the war, sc
when l return to England will see
him again. His health is poor, in.
clined to tuberculosis. His sister Ma.
bel is running a girls school in New
England. His father is very prouc
of America, and Bernard says is al
ways talking of it, l didn't see him
he lives in London, when I get leave
am going over and visit them. l an
going to Paris too and will call or
Jim Earley's brother, he ought t.
know the sights. I am writing this
in our officers ''Y," great place, W.
write, read, smoke, gossip, study ant
spend our leisure time here if W.
have any. Can get sip Of hot choc
olate occasionally. At present, while
I am writing, it being Sunday, a con
cert is going on. We have a piano
and three frenchmen and Frencl
woman are entertaining us with mu
sic. These "Y's" are great boons t.
the soldiers, we can buy tobacco from
them too, over here they cannot hav
too many "Y's". The people at hom
should be talked to and encourage
as to the just cause of our country il
entering this war, and. to doing wha
they can for the needs of the boy
over here, who have the spirit to Wi
the war, but we must have our peopl
behind us at all times and the de
apartments in our government dom
their best, and if all have the spiri
to win the victory, we shall win an
no one can stop us, no matter wha
the odds. I wish I could tell you hoy
feel about these things, but a pc
is poor thing to let you know, be
ing so close up, I've got the spirit
! How are the boys? Remember m
to the fire boys, and to Ed Sigurdso
and the Chief Of Police, also to Short!
will write them all when I can fin
time. You may read them whateve
parts of this letter you wish. Pleas
write me at once, as it takes week
to get mail to us, and tell me abou
everything and what you have don
and what the people Of Valley Cit
are doing.
News, good news, is what want t
hear.
Best wishes to you and your goo
wife, and to my dear friends, am
Always your friend,
Address: Capt. T. S. Henry, HI
164th Infy. A. E. F., via New York.