The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-03-20
AMERICAN AID
SENT TO FRONT
Fund for the French Wounded
Is Highly Appreciated by
the Fighters.
COMMITTEE GIVEN A FEAST
Arab Cook Roasts Sheep Whole and
PoiIu, Formerly a Chef, Prepares
the Dessert-Warm Praise for
Americans.


Paris.-Of all the splendid troops
Of France the - division stands
among the very first. Long before the
memorable days Of 1914 II had made
Its reputation for bravery and hard
fighting. Since then 1t has added
many a glorious page to Its history
and won-at a heavy price, alas THE
highest honors that France has to give
her valiant soldiers. Ali Of the officers
and most of the men are French, but
there are also some regiments COM
posed of native troops from Frances
largest and most important colonies.
Some time ago the workers at he
Nancy depot of the American Fund for
French Wounded took supplies and
comfort bags to two of their field am
balances. The gifts were greatly APP
preciated and on q return visit the
American workers had the pleasure OF
seeing the wounded men arrayed In
some of their incest pajamas and hos
pital shirts, looking warm and com
Portable. The doctors were loud In
their praises and very grateful for the
dressings and other things taken out,
all Of which were being used to good
advantage.
This small eulogy Is merely q pre-
face that n may better understand
the committees feelings when an invi-
tation came from General D ask
Ing them to lunch at his headquarters,
which are In a small village some four
miles back OF the lines In a quaint old
farmhouse with q big courtyard In
front. Here the regimental band was
drawn up to greet them with a fan
fare on their arrival. They continued
to play throughout lunch, music quite
unlike the usual military music, for
they use their native instruments,
mostly wind and of wood, and play
weird, haunting melodies In a minor
key. There Is a touch Of sadness In
them and the call of the East as well.
A Sheep Roasted Whole.
After the Americans had been well
coined by the general and his staff,
luncheon was served, and a wonderful
nEul ~ Nucs AOk NhNy ihtiVhhNtu aS w
several native dishes, such as "kous-
kous" and a whole roasted sheep that
two soldiers carried around the table
for the visitors to see and admire be-
fore IL was cut up n served. An
Arab cook had received twenty-four
hours leave from the trenches to come
and prepare 1t In true Arab fashion.
The sweet was a work Of art made by
q "Poilu" who, In prewar days was the
chef In a big pastry shop In Lyons.
Flowers and fruit decked the table,
and ever menu cards were not lacking.
In fact they were of especial interest,
charming watercolor sketches of the
various types of French soldier, from
the old Territorial down to the debo-
nair Colonial. They were the work of
one of the companies Of this division
and had been fighting for France since
the first days of the war.
After luncheon the Americans were
invited to attend a musical review
written by one of the officers. II was
given In a barracks at n end of which
the stage was erected. Then came the
orchestra, well filled with soldier mu-
sicians, q few chairs for the "honored
guests" and after that rows of benches.
II was a full house. The singing and
acting were all done by the soldiers,
and II was extraordinary how much
talent and ability they displayed.
Warm Praise for Americans.
II this especial soldier troupe should
ever decide to tour the States our Mask
and Wig and Hasty Pudding clubs
would have to look to their laurels. In
the last act a warm tribute was paid
TO the United States. They spoke not
only of the nephews Uncle Sam was
sending to help win the fight for jus
dee and right, but also Of their Ameri
AN sisters who, since the first days OF
q have done SO much to help lighter
the heavy load that France is bearing
The scene was the Statue of Libert,
with several American soldiers stand
Ing guard. Only Liberty was such
tail goddess that her Tor rather his
head was lost In the clouds and sh'
(he) had to skip Off her this) pedesta
to be seen.
The general had invited all the chill
dren of the village to be present an
they were installed on either side o
the orchestra. The project and hi
family had provided a toy and tn
American Fund for French Wounded
small American flag for each child
These were distributed during one q
the entr'actes and It was a Joy I
watch the sea of happy little faces o
all sides.
After the performance the American
returned to headquarters where a d.
lcious tea awaited them. Then cam
goodbys and they left feeling they ha
had q very wonderful day and wei
indeed fortunate to be numbere
omnnO he friends of MS band (