Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1918-12-18

work of getting back home. It isn't
a disappointment though. II were
the only one concerned I would say
that six months more of this war
would have suited me Just right, but
I know that there are many millions
of others who are mighty glad it is
over, and so 1 am glad too. I have
never been in the hard part OF it, ]
guess that is why wasn't so sick of
it. l know all right what a bomb
sounds like, and I've set on the edge
of trench waiting for piece OF
the boys in the infantry have not
only that to contend with, but they
have to live under conditions much
harder than we of the Air Service do.
Another reason / am bouncing with
Joy these days is Kid. He Is in the In
fantry, and l know that he has and
is doing much more of the work that
a soldier is supposed to do than !
have and am.
l suppose it was glad day in the
States when the news arrived. 1t
was more than that here. It was al
most an insane day. The evenings
of the 18th, 18th and 18th were the
widest thing in the way of joy let
loose and happiness unrestra1ned that
ever expect or hope to see. Have
you ever read Dickens book ''The
Tale of Two Cities?" 1 couldn't help
thinking of that while watching these
crowds of Frenchmen and Americans
celebrate. The streets were only
partly lighted. After four years most
of the lights that they did have in
the street were out Of commission,
just simply because they had not been
used for so long. The old town did
put on all the brightness that she
could, and she put out all the flags
she could, both French and Ameri.
can. But at that, the side streets
were all dark and the brightest streets
were only half lit. The crowds got
together without any plan, just great
big mob The Americans gave band
concert for a short time and when
that broke up a couple of drummers
and a bugler or two struck out through
the town. Before they had gone half
block several thousand others, men,
women, kids, girls, everybody that
could walk was following them. Flags
were torn down from the buildings and
carried by the mob The streets was
a mass of people all singing and cheer
ing. l climbed up on the steps of the
Hotel dVille, which is the Town Hall
in French, and from there l could
look down on all that took place. The
sight there of those thousands of peo-
pie swarming about in the half.dark
singing and shouting, with the flags
flying and the drums and bugles, Is
something that I for one will never
forget.
I haven't heard from Kid. I sup
pose he has been moving about so
that he didn't get my last couple let.
tiers. l am hoping every day to hear
from him again so that / can tell II
it will be possible to see him. l
think probable that he will be one the
army of occupation which is going
up into Germany and if he is I'm pref
ty sure of beating him home. l don't
think that it will be so very long be-
fore that happens, perhaps two or
three months.
a year ago l wrote and told you That
it would all be over during this NOV
ember. I claim l am some prophet.
There have been many times since l
wrote that to you that had my doubts
If it would ever be over, but now that
it has all happened according to my
first bunch, want to put In my claim
for the credit of being good guesser
anyhow. have found my rich widow
all O. X. too. Rather, she isn't a
widow, but she is perfectly willing to
take a chance on North America.
She is really rich, too. Now what do
you think of that? If it wasn't for
the fact that I have my plans laid
| pretty we'll already for my future
which does not include her, think
would accept ler offer. 1t would be
pretty nice to have "Castle in
France" where could spend my time
eating French cooking and kicking
the servants about the house. Don't
you think so?
Well, this has grown into a fairly
good sized letter after all, and so have
fulfilled my promise. I will have
many things to say when I see you
but | can't seem to get them on paper
I only hope that Kid and will be
able to show up at the family board al
the same time. After year Of Corn
ed Willie" etc., we sure will be able
to appreciate a little sauer kraut o.
bread with real butter on it. l sup
pose it is against the rules to hoart
anything. If you can, though, try tt
fill the cellar up with pies and cake'
etc., so that we will not run short tn
first day at least. Figure on abou
forty or fifty pies day for each o
us for the first week. After that w
may get used to it and be able t
eat more.
Au revoir ma cherie,
Your son
ROY.
Sgt. R. w. Knott,
Air Service,
: General Headquarters,
American e. F.
COLFAX.