The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-12-21


zion has been so markedly Franco
American. At dinner our hotel keep
er served us champagne and we
drank to France and he to America.
Tonight was out with some OF the
girls and American officers. We went
through the different boulevards ana
halted at the "Place de POpera. The
Grand Opera House was illuminated
and prima donna dressed as Liberty
I sang the French anthem and the
thousands Of people took up the Choir
us. Next a man sang the Belgian an
them, after which woman and two
men sang our national anthem. There
are so many things have experienced
today, It is impossible to write. them,
bit today alone was worth the trip.
The French temperament is marvel
Gus:
Friday night party of us went to
an American hospital just few miles
from Paris. We were very crowded.
and as the canton was covered It was
too dark to recognize anyone. Just
before arriving I learned that the
lady opposite me was Miss Gait who
taught history while was at R-M.
college. When we entered the hut
where the dance was held, the first
peYsen Z saw was Bernice Lyle who
sat at my table for three years. You
met her on both your trips there.
She has charge of that hut. Lucille
RytSenberg lives with the Lyles in
New York and had quite q, talk with
Mrs. Lyles over the phone. She
wrote Bernice that very night. Her
( letter arrived Friday a 10 A. NJ, and
th1 ough, no fault of mine, walked
ia at SIP. M. How is that for coinci-
danee The mess sergeant invited me
to go over to the kitchen for some
water. It is quite the proper thing, SO
went I heard a negro talking and
asked him if he wasn't from Sourh
Carolina. Hersaid '.My, regular native
home is Florence, S. c. He knew
Agnes Kuker and all the rest Of the
foHss. While in the kitchen I got a
piece of real apple pie.
Saturday. went out there on the
railroad and returned this morning.
That might there was show on at the
hut and we all had dinner in the mess
hall (the American army has the
best food in Europe)- sat next TO
the son. Of Rosa Bonheur. He is u ia
nous magician but speaks no English.
Weyhad a. limited conversation.
Sunday morning I played for the
Protestant service at $50 and mass
followed, celebrated by French
chaplain. Two French boys and
their sister furnished the music.
Both services are held in the Rcd
Cross hut The priest blessed my ros-
ary with a special blessing. In the
Afternoon Bernice, major and L
walked:to a new hospital site. 1t was
formerly a race course and must have
been quite a place as the buildings are
very elaborate. In the kitcnen they
were cooking real American bacon.
They toasted bread for US and I won t
say how many slices ate. At the hut
was talking to negro from Fort
Motto, S. c., Forham Cheesborough.
He heard my name and asked me if
you were my father. Said he had
bought material from you.
Wednesday afternoon-The mail
only goes out once a week so there is
no need of hurrying through let
ter. The celebration was worse than
ever yesterday, but has died down
somewhat today. I've just learned
that Miss Sheet, one Of our girls,
went to school with Sallie Wright and
Mab1e Parrott and IS friend of
girl who was at RIM with me. Both
of the girls went with in New York
are now in Paris. I met up with
them at headquarters.
They are beginning to take away
the sandbags. The statues in the
Tuiileries were covered with sand
bags and. German helmets. I have
seen quantities of German aeroplanes
and guns and one Zeppelin. The guns
which protected Paris from air raids
are now used for celebrating. In the
Place de Ia Concorde are large statues
IMPLYING the various provinces.
Those of Alsaee and Lorraine have
been draped with mourning for fifty
years, but now wear golden crowns
and are draped with French flags.
], have been assigned to Home Com
munication Service as a searcher. Ny
duties are to keep the wounded man
in touch with his family; write detail
cd accounts Of deaths to nearest rel
atiyes, location Of grave, etc; and try
TO get as much information as pos
sible regarding missing men. had
my choice between that and recre-
alton hut and / took it because I
thought ] could give better service
ana fewer people want to do that kind
of work.
have had no mail since left New
York but I know there is some on
the way.
Love to all,
Kotin