The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1918-11-21
THE RRxALL sTOBE

Clermont Ferrad, A. I c., Am.
Ex. Force, France, U. s. p. o. No.
723. Sept. 3rd.
Dear Mother suspect you think
have lost the writing habit. but
the truth OF the matter is have
gotten back from my long looked for
furlough. You know every four
months we fellows are entitled TO a
seven days spent in one OF the leave
areas. Counting time travelling and
all I was gone thirteen days and be-
lieve me I saw things every hour OF
the time. There is large area
where in we are allowed to go and I
went 10 AK Les Balm a email town
In the French Alps and near Lake
+, Bourget which is about fifteen miles
long and three OF four miles wide
with fine facilities for rowing and
swimming. The water is noted for
its medicinal qualities and has been
famous since IT'S occupation by tho
Romans who built splendid baths
there. II Is now a fashionable wat
ering place. hence my choice. see.
The Italian border Is only about ten
miles TO the south. The town Is very
historic as the Romans held II az
p pleasure resort in the eleventh
century and the new city is built on
these old ruins.
There is an old Abby on the Italian
side OF the lake that was the place OF
worship for the Kings and Queens OF
France Ond Italy for centuries. One
OF the largest gambling houses in the
world Ia there and the government
has leased II for q Y. NJ. G. A. home
and Is certainly some "Y" with all
kinds OF amusements for the fellows
who go there. Seems Ike every
thing that both man and nature could
add has been done TO make Il an
ideal spot
Being In the Alps there are so
many fine places 20 take trips. The
greatest sport we had was go 'rg on
bicycle trips thru the mountains. We
usually walked out and led our
wheels but as the shades OF nle'
drew near we certainly split the wind
on our way back down 10 AK.
There are several buildings that
were built by the old Romans and
this old Abby (of which I spokel has
some statues and paintings that are
much older than the building which
has been the place OF worship for
the Royal families since the 18th
century
They are the most wonderful work
OF art that one can imagine. There
was one painting that II you saw Il
you would never forget. Il Is the
''star OF the East" The star is rest
Ing just over the Christ-chlld aud
the three wise men are beside the
cradle with the mother OF Christ
kneeling close by. ! gazed and gax-
ed and thot how wonderful. There
were many others Just as good but
someway this one held me longest
There are statues there that
nearly had to touch before l could
believe they were not real.
Lights out--will continue this 10
my next 80 good bye for this time.
EARL
september 6.
WIN try and finish my serial. Lets
see. had Just finished telling about
the Abby, had ! not2 Well we bath
ed In the sulphur water and swan
an rowed and climbed mountains
until our time table said "retraee !
your steps" aud We did.
mr. way home we spent sixteen !
ho"' IN l.von. II is next 10 the
lars end one OF the prettiest cities
IN ''~ ace, | saw many sights there
that never saw in Ontario. A large
new bridge has just been completed
there and they have named il Pres
ident wilson
My trip was decided success but
wish l could have taken 1t with
some one from home.
l got a letter from Glenn Brown
and II II had come little sooner we
could have gotten our furlough at the
same time but mine was all signed up
when his letter came and l had to
take II or lose Il. Glenn is we'll and
hne only he is like the rest OF the
volunteers he frets at having TO stay
IN one place so long and so far from
Ihe front. Suppose our time wln1
'ome some day but Il seems mighty h
dow in arriving
What are the plans of all the old
bunch at rario for tue winterg Sup 4
pose some are gone TO the u of O.