The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-07-03

Onc dS j nave utSCIlDtu, tildl Ol SOlnt
dear old mother in distress, for il al
ways makes me think of my own
mother and how very much | love
her And mention the above in
cident not for the sake OF any pathos
it might contain, but simply to let
you know that such scenes are but
frequent occurrences over here.
But to continue the trip toward
Les Stables d'Olonne to which sly
we are travelling: At the next vii
lage. scarcely amile distant, we we're
met by a crowd of shouting young
sters who gave us a royal reception
and "hurrahed" us thru the winding
torturous streets Of their little village
while our powerful trucks with their
motors going full speed and the
drivers keeping the horns blowing
constantly, and all the gang yelling
at the top OF their lungs capacity in
recognition OF the ovation given us
by the youngsters and the Mademo-
iseles of the erstwhle peaceful viii
lage.
Here come &c Americans" they
say, all along the route, and then we
rush thru their sleepy little hamlets
along the way with much noise
characteristic OF the typical Ameri-
can--while chickens, goats and dogs
flee from our path and we are envel-
oped by the cloud OF dust which fol
lows in our wake.
Upon our arrival at Les Stables d
Olonne, a city of about twenty-five
thousand, hundreds OF the inhabitants
arae out to welcome us and we make
this same sensational entrance with
great gusto as some conquering gen
eral might have decended upon an
cient Rome We are the only Am
erican troops who have ever visited
the city and although we have been
going there for several weeks, our
visits have notsyet ceased to be a
novelty to the natives. They are
wonderful people though, as are all
the French. This city. as ! have told
you in other letters, was. prior to
the war, one OF the most popular
summer resorts in all France, being
eXcelled' only by Nice and Monte
Carlo on the Mediterranean. Now,
however, the attractions are not
quite so numerous but it is still a
very live place Here the different
allied soldiers come to recuperate.
Every color and design OF uniform
imaginable is seen upon the board
walk and the atmosphere has de-
cidedly military flavor.
While standing in front of our ho-
tel there two Sundays ago enjoying
the smooth, blue waters lof the Bay
OF Biscay. | was approached by a
French soldier who, after standing
by me for a few minutes, finally said
very slowly and carefully, Isn't them
waters placid:" | agreed with him
that they were, but did not attempt
to go into any lengthy explanation
in the French language as to why
thought so for fear might be guilty
of giving him probably worse shock
than he had given me. But | knew
that couldn't go far wrong by say
ing. "Oui Monsieur" In a short
while this man sauntered on down
the promenade, and another took his
place His English. however, was
a trifle further advanced than the
first mans. At least, what he did
say he said remarkably well; he
knew how to ask for a cigarette.
Further Titan that doubt if he had
any ENTHUSIASTICALLY speak
ing-for when they arrive at the
stage where they can successfully
ask for a cigarette, nothing else mat
ters-except getting it. 1t is ex-
ceedingly difficult for the French to
secure cigarettes, for our canteens
and YIN. c. AS have but limited
supply and will only sell them to Am
orleans. The average Frenchman
would sell his soul for package OF
American cigarettes. Doubtless the
aroma OF the Fatima which | was
smoking assailed his nostrils, for he
said in rather ponderous: accents
Gift me one cigarette, eef you
pleeze."I did. After lighting same
for him he replied, "Merci beaucoup,
Monsieur" and strolled off putting
away contentedly much to the envy
OF his brother Frenchmen along the
board walk.
am also enclosing you silk
handkerchief souvenir OF France.
1t was given me byMadame Poontoi-
zeau, an old French lady who runs a
restaurant here, and where ! often
take my meals. She purchases it in
Nantes. to which city she recently