The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-02-18
TOSTEVTN TELLS OF LIFE
AMONG U. S. SOLDIERS
Continued from page H.

CONTINUED from page. -
the various companies from new ad-
dresses in new regiments. And yet
withal, though there are sorrows and
heartaches over the parting, there is
no complaining. The rest Of US re-
manning in the old 164th may train
new men. All the American officers
coming here are sent to the train
ing schools to learn modern trench
warfare.
Up Where The Guns Boom.
Last week we were Some
where" in the south of France.
Today we are in the north OF
France where we can hear the
big guns on the front not very
far away. We have just finish
ed a trip to this place full Of
vivid, strange, weird and in
teresting experiences. l don't
know when we will start in on
another one but I hope not right
away, for this appears to be a
very fair place, though just at
this moment we are camped on
the hills and waiting to be as
signed to barracks.
Tonight I am writing in 7. NJ.
G. A. hut somewhere in France, and
near enough to the front to hear the
big guns talk. Despite the fact that
the Paris edition of The New York
Herald today carried the name Of
Private Standish, of MinOt, as one
Of the men killed, and there was a
shadow Of gloom spread over the
North Dakota boys, the men are for
getting the hardships, the Enawing
hunger for home, because there is
music in the air.
Remember the old skating rink
back home, or the old town hall;
lily lighted, reeklng with tobacco
smoke, creosOte and a composite
Of other odors, the contribution
Of an untold number of dances,
smokers, banquets. prizefights
and all; a clammy dampness;
frayed and bedraggled bunting,
highly colored posters, calendars
and signs bravely attempting to
add a little cheer. There you
have something like this Y. NJ.
G. A. hut: a great wooden build
ing 50x100, rough pine tables
capable Of accommodating six
each ranged each side Of the
hall. There are 4S Of them
Just stood up on one Of the pine
benches to count them, and
every table is crowded to capa-
city and more by student sold
iers studying or making up note
books. or writing home.
Dakota Orchestra Cuts Loose.
1t was comparatively Quiet until |
a moment ago when the North Da-
kota orchestra cut loost with. "How's |
every Little Thing in Dixie" and |
has been following that up with |
other hits" popular a year ago. |
And song hits Of TODAY in America |
would not find favor here, because |
the ones the orchestra are playing |
are familiar and the new ones would |
have no connection with the DAYS
that are gone. This orchestra really |
whole atmosphere Of the place seems |
to have changed. Even the old fell
low in the tobacco advertisement
placard above me seems to smile
more benevolentlv 1t is music the
bows know, numbers they danced |
with "the girl" back home. Fond
memories are revived wildly by the
music and yet it seems to soothe
rather than augment the longing for
the day when peace shall send them
back to loved ones and will give
them surcease from things military.
The boys playing tonight are
Lloyd Harmon, Mandan, violin; Ed
Gewalt, Breckenridge, Mimi, piano;
Jacob Evanson, Mayville, flute; Max
Moore, Lisbon, clarinet; Albert An
drews, Mayville, cornet; Archie Gal
braith, Lisbon, trombone; Harley
Moore, Lisbon, and Earl Hauskins,
drums.
Music Instills Pep.
1t is music that puts pep in life
for the boys after q hard days drill,
after days in active service, and it is
band concerts, orchestra music and
that the "Y' has found
most successful in entertaining its
thousands of guests. Popular. did
you ask? Indeed, the Y. M. c.. A.
provides practically all the fun
there is for the boys. Only the chap
who has been through 1T all, the
training camps "over home" as
sembly camps, embarkation points.
English or French rest camps and
he camps here Somewhere" near
he front and within hearing Of the
guns; only the soldier who has
everywhere found a welcome at the
'front.' "Y" knows how much you
gave i'm your careless contribution TO
he fund that made the huts possible.
Sing Sunday School FaVoritss.
Last night was an example. There
vas no special program OF movies or
)ther entertainments arranged, so a
sing" as the British Tommies call
t, was scheduled. The orchestra
played the accompaniment and
Chaplain f. c. Proehl acted as lead
,r. Sheets bearing the words of the
longs were passed around. Rags?
No, indeed not. just Sunday school
avorites, hymns and the old melo-
lies unheard by many for years
,ame back and lungs were turned
oose 1t was worth a trip to France
o hear these sons Of Uncle Sam
ling, Onward Christian Soldiers"
What a Friend We Have IN Jesus"
Lead Kindly Light" Rock Of
Ages" and the others. For two
old hours 500 men just sang and
ang.
North Dakota Band Plays.
And the night before that the
North Dakota band played a fine
0ncert. The old First North Dakota
S the first band to be located at this
amp and 1t has made a tremendous
lit Concerts in the city near here !
we're listened to by thousands Of
oIdiers and civilians. The band
,oys are the 'fbig cheese" now. Thel
iris Of the city have quit teaching !
- A.