The Washington times., 1918-05-07
BOYS INFRANCE
HAVE "LETTERFROM
HOME" CONTESTS

An overseas lesson in French, as
obtained by the writer after labor
ious effort. Is contained in a letter
which has been received by the Piney
Branch Bulletin from Harry Gusack,
former Washington newspaper man.
who Is now with General Pershing's
forces overseas. Gusack formerly
was employed by the Publicity Corp
grafton.
Finding time TO describe some OF
the humorous phases of a soldiers
life in an alien land, Gusack writes,
in part. as follows:
Listen, Sherman said a mouthful.
believe me. Also he had vivid .imagi-
nation. Yes, nam. Euf said" Harry
continues:
here and I must hand IT to France.
The mud is great-sImply wonderful.
Best ! ever tasted. like It here
very much. The Job IS great. We
have a special mess-beef, chicken,
FISH, soup. and everything. II l
sound a little nutty, don't pay any
attention to 1t.
I'VE have occasional entertainments
which are very good. Band concert
by military band every day at lunch
hour. Recently the Shakespearian
actor, E. II. Sothern, entertained us
and few nights ago Elsie Janis
heard ] was here and beat 1t over
for a little fun. Can you imagine
her following me clear across the
ocean?
Am picking up French Il mean
the languageJ with great rapidity.
Nv Ia n1faaAV- Fasa pf
three or four words. which am add
ing to daily. However. the French
people In this town are very dense.
They can't understand a word I say
and In their own language, too.
Can you beat It?
"Inasmuch as you haven't time to
take up French languaEO) l viii
endeavor to give you a quick lesson,
so that we may speak freely in case
the Mrs. Is in the office when I return.
"Bonjour-this is pronounced Bung
Swar by the highbrows from Wash
ington. However, Bung Swar means
good morning or perhaps good night
I'm not sure which. but you can step
into the Berlitz School in Washington
and ask the chief instructor to wise
you up.
''Tout de Suite-Now. by looking at
this your first impression f. that 1t Is
something about a suite of rooms or
a race track or something OF that sort.
All wrong. George. all wrong. An
easier way is to say Too sweet 1t
does not refer to sugar or candy, but
means quickly, Immediately, and in
stsnter.' When I'm a French cafe,
after ordering something be sure and
tell the waiter too sweet This will
clearly Indicate to him that you speak
French fluently, as well as read and
write II, but outside OF that. 1t will
have no effect whatsoever in being
served. 'Toots beat
while in the restaurant, II you
want to order eggs, you should say. |
IN q quiet, dignihed way: 'OOF" |
That means an egg. II you want two
Eggs, you should say 'OOF-OOF'-l
hats two eggs. ] was rather hungry !
he other night and felt that I could |
Sat at least six. My pal said, he would |
have six, so l ordered a dozen eggs by |
going 'OOB" twelve times. Everyone |
IN the cafe beat It and the owner.
after gazing at me in a terrified man. /
ler, beat 1t, too. After waiting an
hour. l left the dawE- gone place. l
ion't know the French word for milk,
1ut 1 always obtain 1t by going MOO
MOO
by the way, every now and then
irop me q line or two, as there is
contest on here as to who receives the
most letters from Washington. This
contest ends next month, so tell all
'our friends both male and female to
write and send money and things as
want to win this prize.
II need cigarettes, b. V. DIS, pa
amas, candy, and chewing gum, so
lon't be bRshfuI.
"Modestly yours.
G9ARRYS