The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-12-18
Letter From Paris
Miss Katie McK:eyer Tells of
Our Red Cross Work
Overseas.

Overseas.
The following letter from Miss Ka-
tie McKiever under Gate of Ncve,a-
Der 18th, 70 her mothar, has just been
received:
Dear Mama:
There are so many things to tel
You, it is hard to know just where
to start. I'll make it something like
a diary.
Thursday afternoon the officials Of
the city entertained the American Red
Cross IN Hotel de Vile Getty HalD.
Marshall JofCre was there and many
ether iliustrious persons. The salon
was one Of the most beautiful rooms
I ever saw, especially the mural
decorations. A French military band
Of fcrty-two pieces furnished the mu-
SIC. Glacies and cafe were served
and champagne flowed like the
prcverbial water After the reception
we danced. That evening I heard
Eigoletta at the Grand Opera House,
one of the sights of Paris. The mar
Bile stairway alone is worth the price
CT admission. The ruuerous aId
varied uniforms added to the genera.
effect. Wednesday evening went out
to dinner with two of the older ladies
CT our party. We dined at Griffous
Three British officers We're at the
same table with US. They We're not
at all conservative and before long VIC
were all chatting like real allies.
The youngest is major who mas
been at the front since the start and
has fought at GallipoH Dardace,!cs
and Belgium.
Friday I went to Beonicis hut fer
the weekly dance. Had a wonderful
time and danced everything from a
Dowery tw;rl to an old-fashioned
waltz
(Monday Night.
After the dance the same mess
sergeant who gave me the pie last
week, gave US doughnuts. / spent the
night with Bernice and Saturday
while we were seated around the hut
stove 1 heard a convalescent mention
Rose Ivey'' After taking good
look at him I asked him if his naE1:
was Smith and if he came from
Sumter At that he gave me g gooe
look and said, You're Katie Nc
Fiever and I used to he in the same
grade with YOU" We had dancal to-
gether the night before. You might
tell his mother (Mrs. Dennis on l1ar-
vim ST. that I saw him and although
he has been through quite toHsh
time, he is now almost well and his
no physical defects: His name IS vii
lie Smith.
Saturday evening I went 10 the
''Fclies Eergere" The sis;ht off the
stage were even better than the
show AS you know, no doubt, the
French people ere most aSectionat"
and they are quite open and aoove
board with it. The finale Of the
show was flag spectacle in which
the Australian !as did not appear.
There was quite a bit Of excitement
among the Australian troops and one
officer dashed down the eis!e. jump
CO cn the stage and presented fas
to the leading lady, who kissed 1t
and then waved it, While tho ol7ic-E
stood at attention. Ee,ween acts
the Sanmies in bald head row saHS
When Yankee Doodle Learns .
Pariez-vous'' and other songs The
French apo!a"ded, and the chorus
girls tock up the song behind the
curtains. Paris is quite different VIII
the lights blazing. ] am CAD sa" l.
With the blue lights as / appreciate
the contrast.
Sunday morning I attended High
Mas; a, Notre Dame. The church
was beautifully decorated with the
fags Of al the allies and the M
;:1ease building was filed TO capacity
The organ is one Of the finest III
the world. The priests and congre-
cation chanted the ''Te Deum' and
"Maen;ficat' and sang the "Marscil-
laise.' The French lady next to me
looked on MY prayerbook for the
.sTe Deum'' and I used hers for the
..Masnifica.." The other girls here
chase around looking for an English
spoke" church but that doesn't bother
me. After Mass got into an awfa!
mob in the metro Subway and a X
Of c., seeing my uniform helped me
through the crowd We were bon
too late for luncheon ct our hote's;
so we lunched together. Please dom
be hcrriied All Americans Ger here
consider one another acauailfances.
besides | told him my dad is q 4. "i
c. I should like 70 have = snail Is.
Of C. pin as it might be of service to
me at some time. Sunday afternoon
there was an Alsace-Lorraine ce!e-
brat:on. A Sammy climbed up on
post OF the fence around the 'Tul-
lc.:es' and sang the Marsciliaise.
The French carried him on thei"
shoulders That is Just one incident
OF the sights You see continually
Mcny airp.anes few over the Champs
N!vsee SO low as to seem to touch the
trcoe
Last evening ! took some OF the
girls out to the hut. played and 'h9
BOYS sang. We had supper in th1
mes hall and saw q Y. entertainment.