The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-08-28
LETTER FROM
GAsToN MoFFATT
"a. R. Presbyterian

told him, and then he asked me
where we came from and a number OF
questions. He talked to me more
politely than a Junior Subaltern
would have done. This is the first
opportunity I have ever had of talk
ing to a general officer, and 1 count
mvself fortunate. I enjoy the Pres
bvterian so much. There is a boy
here from Kansas, a Presbyterian,
who always asks me for the A. X.
P. when I get through with it.
I am learning something besides
French in this country. I dress
wounds when they are not too bad,
and occasionally I dress some very
serious ones. I treat Carrell Dalten
cases and administer other treat
ment.
I have had another experience not
very agreeable one. I had nice
load of "cooties". In fact the whole
outfit had them. But we have got
rid of them now. About bed time
all the fellows would sit down on
their benches, take off their under
clothes and look along all the seams.
Presently one fellow would pipe up
GIVE got 'em." Then they would
all get together and compare rela-
tive sizes and varieties. When l get
back shall be fully prepared to
eve Prof. Galloway a thorou sh dis
course on the habits, growth, and
domestic qualities of all the differ
ent species. They are gone but not
forgotten. Requiescent in pace.
Well, at last I have time to drop
you a few lines. For the last two
weeks I have worked incessantly
under all kinds of dangers, but am
glad to say that I have come thru
unscathed. Sometimes I was lucky
enough to catch four or five hours
Of sleep out of seventy-two. l have
been fortunate enough to attend
church at the Madeline and it was
grand. They have very fine, deep,
pipe organ there and the finest choir
I have ever heard. The ceilings
and walls are all frescoed and are
adorned with splendid paintings,
with statues here and there all over
the church. I have also seen the
Place de la Invalides where Napo-
Icons tomb is and where all the war
trophies from the French revolu-
ton to the present date are kept.
The Tuiller's Gardens are also Won
derful. Broad shaded walks with
large statues all along did not
know there were so many statues in
all France as in those gardens alone.
I have also seen other beautiful and
historic places, such as the Palais
Royal, Petit Trainon, Versailles,
Pantheon, Trocadero, and Eiffel
Tower. ~
These are the good sights I have
seen. Now for the sad experiences
have been passing through. In some
places where small villages used to
be, nothing is there now but a mass
of debris and ruins, nothing but
desolation and death. How some of
these French people have suffered.
Many of them have lost everything
in the world they owned, land, home;'
clothes, cattle, etc. But still when
they get chance they will go right
back and start at the bottom with
out a murmur and build up again.
I remember seeing a train load of
refugees. All their worldly goods
we're carried in little sacks. And
some of the little children were so
scantily clothed that it would have
made Eve blush to look at them.
They were hungry, tired; and sick.
But they did not make a murmur.
Only the little babies that were not
700 weak cried some. However, I
saw these before the Red Cross had
chance at them. After they get
them it is different. They clothe
md feed them and give medical at
tention. The Red Cross is doing a
very wonderful and Christian work
over here.