The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1918-09-20
INTERESTt sc LETTER FROM
SERGEANT BAL KOHN.

Dear Verna:-
Today is the first day lately that
/ have had any time to write. have
been so busy, as usual have some
extra green envelopes, so I can mail
you letter often.
Out here we are very comfortable.
At night we have a dry place in which
to sleep, and 1 am pleased. I nave
straw in my bedsack and straw is very
restful. We have many things to help
US forget. I hare made many friends
who will always make me feel kindly
towards Belgium It is all grist that
comes to my mill.
! wish you could see the flax fields.
The half dozen flax plants that moth
er grew did not give an idea of what
things of beauty they are when mass
ed. The delicate blue and green de-
light aud rest tae tired eye.
s, The women ee Flanders are tine
hness lace makers in the world, I am
told. Sometime before we finish our
Job here i hope to see the various
stages through which flax goes to be-
come linen. No: nSE miles away
there was. a few years ago. beauti-
full city. 1t was the centre of the lace
industry-new Ill is mass Of debris.
You can readily guess what city ]
mean.
There is a portly coffee house
keeper here who has been very kind
to me. From her 1 am learning some
thing Of Belgium. I drop in nearly
evey day on my way to the ration
dump and have cup of coffee. I'm
here to say that French and Belgian
coffee is very much to my taste. For
coffee with sugar and cream, they
charge either one penny (two cents)
or one and hall pennies, Isn't this
cheap! They serve it in little bowls
So far. i have seen very few Red s
Cross nurses. as they are not in this
sector, but more down towards Paris
/ have seena few English women. I'm
willing not to see any Of them at
close range. a won't either, il my
present condition, health appetite and
spirits continue.
Over here they handle the wounded
very fast. A man may be shot tonight
and tomorrow night find himself IN
an English hospital. Special trains
and steamers are used. At certain
channel port I have seen train after
train draw rp at the dock. It's
terrible business-this war-but there
is an indescrihably wonderful war
machine handling it. There is not
enough black magic in any body's ink
well to describe it as it actually is.
TT =, ~ou could be over here. We
are where in Belgium and ready
to q, ae Germans more of the T.
s. s-v-e icy call the Highlanders
i'm k - dies Of He'll" Before
Ions '~- vii 81, calling us some such
mar @7,:ch v.'li carry as much mean
inc W ex 1ct :, be felt when we
gc :2to actiz1. JT~t now or head
q ers IS light usder shell fre-
Ns;,tly ave raid and all manner
e heavy bsasl,ardmeHt. Last night
h.g GINS booreed all about us, but
~ getting .;....s,::,, and more accustom-
.e1 to their ne5se and danger (! won't
say more about what we are giving
tie German s-.t's Al I'D story ~ this
time. Hip. h=p, heoray.
I thought the Kohns loved dogs:
but you should see these Belgians.
Every house has one or more and
most of them are used for draft pur-
poses. But they love their animals,
nevertheless. Some pieces of the Bel
gian artillery are drawn by these
faithful friends-also some of the
Hun guns, I hear.
Then there are others. See how
human Mr.. Lloyd George is, as proved
by this "lost ad" which I clipped from
a London daily: "Premier's dog lost,
Mr.. Lloyd Georges Welsh terrier, A
reward of FIVE pounds is offered for
its recovery" The ad was enhanced
by the dogs picture.
There are a great many American
products for sale in the little shops,
Colgate's, Liboy's, Venus indelible
pencils and such others that Mr.. Sol
der man needs. We mean a great
deal to these people in more than one
way. Good morning! We have used