The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-07-02
Local Boy Overseas Likes
People And Country
OF Republic
PRAISES RED CROSS
AND ARMY Y. M. c. A.
Says Organizations Give
Boys Over There Equiva-
lent OF Second Home IL

The opinions of the Knox county
boys "over there" of France differ
somewhat, according to letters recelv.
cd here from them, but all agree that
there were never more polite people
to be found than the French, who
treat the Americans with the utmost
courtesy. However. upon his arrival
In sunny France" Paul r. Pharis.
sen of Mrs. Mary Pharis of East High
street, found the country itself inter
esting and much to his liking.
In the following letter to his moth
er, Pbaris describes the country while
the army y. NJ. G. A. and the Amori.
can Rcd Cross come in for great
deal of praise:
France, May 25. 1918.
Our trip over was unevcntful aud
enjoyable. Something novel, but I'M
agine life of that kind would be
rather tircsome after while. II was
with feeling of thankfulness and Sc
curly that we stepped on land and
the things we road about "s,Inny
France are very true. 1t is beau
tiful country try-cverything green and
clean. The farms are cut up Into
small plots, each with a hedge around
it. Particular attention is paid to the
cultivation and the fields and gardens
here are models for any country.
The antique stone buildings scatter
ed through the country give it very
picturesque appearance. h
The travelling through this country
was very interesting; the bright sun.
ny skies smiling upon the green fields,,
forests and waters of the lakes inter
spcrsed between the towering cliffs
gave one, as we passed along, a PAM
oramic view that was most pleasing
to the eye. One can hardly image.
among these surroundings, that;Ta
great conflict is raging not so very
far away. Az
We are comfortably situated and
like our work and place. Wish 1
could tell you more about it, but that
Is not possible now.
The French people are very nice and
are giving us Il hearty greeting. The
only drawback is our lack of knowl.
edge of the French language. 1t will
not take us long to pick up the rudi
mcntary principles of 1t though. for
we are assOciating with the people all
the time and have to make ourselves
understood in some way.
On the whole. our trip has been So
interesting and full OF novel cxpcr.
icnccs that | have not noticed any OF
the little Inconvenience we meet
Yesterday was Il beautiful day, quiet
and peaceful All work was suspend
ed by the people and the day was
spent as the Sabbath should be. The
chimes on the old French church re-
minded me SO much of the ones at
Kenyon college. II seemed as though
were near home again.
The Y NJ. &. A. is Just being fixed
up in this place and we will soon have
a place to spend our spare time The
symbols of the American NJ. G. "A.
and the Red Cross are most welcome
sights. There is that air of hospitals
ty and good fellowship connected with
the Y. NJ. G. A. which makes 1t seem
like Il second home to those who are
here
On the way to our destination we
stopped along at different points and
were served coffee and at one place
In particular we detrained and march
cd to the Red Cross headquarteyl
where we were served with coffee
bread, chocolate and cigarets. The
coffee was the best ! have had since
] left homo. How fine il was to see
and speak to some real American wO
men again. They were so friendly and
the true American hospitality filled
the place, II was with tinge of re
gret that | left, wishing that It migh
have been possible to have enjoyed 4
little longer visit with them.
A great deal has been said that Is
complimentary to the Y. NJ. c. A. ant
the Red Cross, but half has not beer
told for there are no words which
can convey the inestimable value O
these organizations to the mel
abroad.
PAUL p. PHARIS,
Medical Detach., 1st Battalion
37th Engineers A. t. r. France