Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-06-12
OUR BOYS
OUR CoUNTRY'S SERVICE

Mary Searles Osmun is in war
and she writes most interesting let
tiers to her sister, Miss Eva Searles
of Gardiner. II seems most fitting
TO place her following letter under
this head as she is truly in her coun-
try's service:
May !. 1918.
Dearest EVE:
There's an envelope addressed to
YOU here on my table and it has been
staring me in the fact for-Precious
Sis. | was going to say for days. If
II don't get busy it will be for weeks.
ITS appalling the number Of letters |
want to write and the way / don't
write any. IN fact lately | haven't
been getting any and [ wonder if I
had any mail on the ship that went
down. | hope long ere this YOU got
news of the cablegram we sent to
New York to have forwarded to our
people that we are all right. We
thought YOU might be worrying as
there was really some cause and we
knew it would take so long for let
ters to travel. George had to leave
his place and is now establishing a
new foyer-as the French call them,
all by himself without any French di-
rector. He enjoys it much more and
has even started making chocolate.
He declares it is good though he
doesn't drink it himself. Says the
Poilus don't mind little dirt and as
one OF them helps him concoct the
brew, | suppose he ought to know.
He is even making a flower bed, so /
am quite proud of him. AS for me l
had to come back to the camp far
Their behind the lines. 1t was a Bit
ter disappointment. l was so happy
over there in real little house
where | could do as | pleased, in
stead of being under some one with
whom / have been known to dis
agree, although we get along pleas
antly. | have met boys from all over
Maine lately, they've connected me
with Bar Harbor, there's John Pray
and Allan Walls and some others
who at least know Tom by name or
by sight and they just beam at me
across the counter. Then I've met
two or three who know the Puffers-
and one the other day from Stoning-
ton who knows Sumner 2. OF course
am so much older than they are
that | know different generation.
One boy, so far, has shown up from
Gardiner. l think his name was
Purdy. Said he knew Bert Cobb. In
fact all the Cobbs.
Last winter there were seven of us
here on this job and we had much
less business than we've had the past
month with only three u four of us.
l am getting 50 hungry for a Gus
tard pie l almost think I shall make
one just for myself. We have the
dearest French madame who works
for US. One day she brought US four
live pigeons-killed and dressed
them. l stuffed and roasted them
and you never tasted anything more
delicious. We get very good meals
now from one of the companies. 1t
is very hearty because it is Just the
same as they feed the men. | find
sometimes overeat and get heavy
ITOUH wv MUM meat ana potato,
Lately though we've had lettuce and
radishes-and last night we had some
strawberries from Paris though.
One of the girls went up there to do
some errands and she brought US
back that treat. One of the things
we give the boys at the canteen that
is very popular. is canned fruits.
peaches. apricots, cherries, pineapple.
I dished cherries the other day until
I was weary beyond words
These new boys are so appreciative
Of the Y. A new boy who arrived
yesterday gave me such a nice smile
when / handed him a bowl of choco-
late. My. That looks food to a fell
low who hasn't seen anything but
coffee for six months"
Come to think of it Evie, BY the
time you get this Ill be about ready
to have another week with George.
I expect to go to Paris he Sd of June !
T do hope YOU and Lettie can go TO
So. Bristol as usual. It would De
such pity for you not to. Oh. my
darling sisters, can hardly endure 70
think Of you I love you 80. II cou'o