The courier-index. (Marianna, Ark.) 1917-current, 1918-05-03


Robt L. Nixon. now with the Ameri-
can Expeditionary forces in France.
to his mother, Mrs. r. L. Nixon of
this city, will be read with much
interest by the people of Lee county:
While | am writing on Y. M. c. A.
stationery | must tell you something
of their work over here. Theirs is a
long story of deeds of self sacrifice
and devotion to the comforts of the
men. If there are now and then a
few hours of cheer and comfort 1t
is all due to their noble organization.
Even at the front line you will find
the welcome sign OF the red triangle
serving hot coffee and American
cigarettes--things which Sammy al
ways finds most necessary to the
fighting line. You are always sure
of a warm fire and a CHEEKY word in
one of these huts. Then, there is
plenty of free stationery on which
to write home Only last night
heard beautiful concert. A young
American boy played so BEAUTIFULLY
on the violin. / thought of home all
the time, and once he played the
sweetest, softest. most plaintive mel
ody and | knew it was about Mother
Some day hope someone will write
fitting tribute to the part played
in this war by the Y. M. c. A.
Spring has tried to come lately
but hasn't been very successful yet
There has been quite bit of snow
and now cold rain. From the letters
received from you | Judge you had
an exceptionally hard winter. You
can Judge how we have lived over
here. But Cherry. o! Sonny!"
always say to myself. 1t can't last
forever
In another letter to his mother
Lieut. Nixon described an Easter
service he attended in one of the
large cathedrals in France. The
service was conducted by the Cathol-
les. Referring to thisN service Lieut.
Nixon says:
| had always wanted to see what
it was like and it was sight
shall never forget was seated
near the front on one side where
could see everything, and close by
was class of small boys In charge
of a. priest Later on another priest,
| suppose 1t was, came and checked
them all off by roll call and |
figured it was probably counted a
great sin to miss the service.
Well. to begin with. the tremen-
dously tall pillars were draped with
the most gorgeous hangings Of satin
and velvet. heavy with gold. and the
first man to talk--I don't know what
his rank was--was dressed after the
style of the pillar | have described
and with all manner of jewels.
couldn't begin to picture the splend-
or of it to you. After lot of talk
ing and chanting, the big procession
came in through. one of the side
doors. First came a flock of choir
boys and then followed a lot OF
officials, each with a little more
satin and velvet and jewels than
the one preceding him, until finally
the bishop came. He wore crown
of jewels and a bright scarlet robe
with tremendously long train which
was carried by two priets. and then
the most amazing sight ever saw.
Everybody in the church fairly pros
trated themselves before him. The
bishop came slowly along. waving
his hands around. scattering bless
ings on everybody. Then he went up
and took the communion and drain
ed the goblet of wine which. as
you know, by some magical power.
becomes the blood of Christ as soon
at it touches his lips. Then there
were more chants and the bishop
departed, again scattering blessings
all the while. Some of the more
favored ones, as he passed along.
he allowed to kiss large ring which
he wore on one of his fingers, and
there were more prostrations as he
passed along.