Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-13

The second big German drive StdTteu
Yesterday, and we are all holding our
breath, hoping and praying that the
lines will hold, and | believe that they
will, for we have lots Of our own men
I'D there now and that should make a
lot of difference. We all figure that ii
we can hold them back this time that
this will be the last chance that Ger
many will get to break through, for she
will not be able again to come against
them, and then it will be our turn TO take
a chance at her, and il we ever start
after the Boche-goodby.
The papers we get here are the New
York Herald and the Chicago Tribune
Paris editions, and while they have only
a little news from the States, we are
able to keep track pretty well OF what
is going on. The war news is always
what we look for first, and we usually
find something, regardless Of whether
il is true or not.
Yesterday was a red-letter day for
mel got thirteen from home, OF course
| mean u. S. A.. 1t sure was good to
get them, and stopped work for an
hour and read them all twice. had
letters from all the family, the latest
being May 9, which was on the way
only twenty days. That is not bad at
all, and while some of the letters take a
little longer, we can usually count on
from twenty to thirty avs coming over.
also got three Registers, and maybe
you think | didn't fall on them right
away. Rachel sent me bunch of kodak
pictures, and it was sure good to get
them and refresh my memory OF the
folks home-not that mean to say that
my memory needed refreshing, but it
was sure fine to have them, and hope
she will send some more. The letters
from home mean more to US than you
have any idea, and when big bunch
of mail comes in for the company work
always goes easier and dropping spirits
are cheered up. Men forget that they
are homesick and for day or two the
censor is swamped The "Y" man says
he never saw such lot of letter-wrlters
as we have in our company, and neither
did |. We censor letters every morn
ing, all morning, and then half the time
we don't get through by noon. Lots OF
organizations put limit on the number
of letters that each man may write, but
we have not done that, for letter writ
ing is the one big joy of some Of our
fellows, so we let them 60 to it as often
as they like. We have several fellows
who think the days work is not done
until they drop five or six letters in the
mail box.
We got a new building for the mess
hall the other day and we are very busy
fixing it up in fine shape. The kitchen
will be a dream-big shelves and
closed cupboards all around-zinc-cov-
cred tables and stands-a great big
range with hot water attachment and
other modern conveniences. One OF the
men in our company, besides being our
shoemaker and tailor and few other
little odds and ends, is also painter,
and he is making great big painting
for one end of the mess hall, and | must
admit that he is getting some picture
out of it, When we want anything all
we do is ask for it, and shortly it ap-
pears-and we never ask any questions.
The other day we needed long piece Of
rope, so mentioned it to one OF the fell
lows, and not long afterward he came in
with it, and thanked him and let it 60
at that Then asked for some oilcloth
or heavy rubber cloth to cover the desks
and tables in the Office. Automobile top
covers of pantasote make the best
covers for desks that ! have seen in a
long time. No questions asked, is our
motto. 1t sure gets the results. And
we are the only organization in the post
that has wooden floors in the barracks,
and when | say lumber is scarce just
think about coal in January and Febru-
airy back home, and you will have half
idea how scarce lumber is over here.
Then somewhere someone got enough
fly screening to screen the whole works,
so that we are going to live in real COM
fort here this summer.
And souvenirs-well, I'll bet this
bunch could build several aeroplaneS
from the parts that they have tucked
away in their barracks bags-anything
that they see and want they get. A
French soldier would sell his soul for
package Of American cigarettes. Of
course, it is against the law to let them
have cigarettes, but some of the fellows
figure that it is a mighty short time until
the evidence is destroyed, and they take
a chance. know one man that got a
fur-lined avaiator's leather suit for a
carton of Chesterfelds that cost him 46
cents, and the suit could not have cost
less than S35. Another fellow has a
pair of old duelling pistols that would
be worth mint back in the States, and
he gave five packs Of cigarettes for
them. | haven't gotten the souvenir
craze yet, for if we ever have to move
will have enough to carry without add
ing to the pack.
We all signed the payroll yesterday,
which means that another month has
about been finished on our job. Sign
ing the payroll is always joyous occa-
sion and comes next to getting paid,
payday being the gala day Of the
month. Money flows like water for
few days, and then everyone begins to
ask when do we sign the payroll again.
OF course there is much borrowing and
lending of money and payday is the day
for settling up, and the air is always
full OF arguments. Some of the wiser
ones keep a little book, and when fell
low borrowS the money they put the
amount down and get the man to sign
under it, so that he can't kick when it
comes to paying up.
Last Sunday up at the "big 7" DR..
Freeman, head of the "Y" work in
France, delivered the most wonderful
address | have ever heard, and such
meeting of men you never saw in your
life. incidentally, for the first time since
have been in the army | sang. didn't
do so we'll, for my voice is in poor
shape, as | have not sung at all for so
long, and when do sing sound like
fog horn. But got away with it pretty
we'll at that. 1t was an honor to even
be on the same program with him, and
my only regret was that could not
have done better. The "Y" is still do
ing great work, and We fellows over
here expect the home folks over there
to keep them we'll supplied with funds,
so that they can keep the good work
up. Give them anything they ask for
and more, for it is certainly being put
to the very best use and is giving US
the direct benefit.
The weather still continues to hold