The Press., 1918-11-21

needed those fortified homes in those days. And right here might as we'll say that I have seen some beautiful French ladies who could inspire me to deeds of chivalry such as you have never read about. And to cap the climax would lay the spoils of battle at their feet and be paid in full for the toll and trouble with merely a smile from their beaming counte- nances. So perhaps it's we'll that these walls remain intact even during these days of modern warfare. With in the towns of course we see many buildings of artistic design and build ings that are famous through some connection in history. The sculpture work on several churches have seen is marvellous and made equally more so through consideration of the length of time it has stood. A wooden struc- ture is a rarety over here. Nearly all buildings are of stone hewn from the quarries in all parts of France. The streets of a town are generally alleys and are merely passage ways and they run everywhere irrespective of di- rectiOn. AS a rule they are paved with stone blocks.
 And the French people. They are just as congenial and peace loving as a people could be. They treat the Americans with courtesy almost di- vine and in seeming reverence. We receive the glad hand anywhere we go in France and made to feel right at home. The French girls, as I have intimated before, are very attractive and win the hearts of the romatic Am erican boy quite easily. With me they are alright, beautiful and all of that, but when they begin to talk the jig is up. And fast! You should hear them. They can surely step on the acceleratOr of speech and rattle it off at a tWO-fOrty pace. But they seem to understand each other so I presume the language is alright. Of course l am trying to learn to "parley vOus," but at present it seems hope less. I can do very we'll with the acrOtatic and sign part of the talk ing, but when it comes to twisting my tongue around the letter combinations they have for words and making weird sounds for this or that am not there. And I can't get the sense of spelling word one way and pronOuncing it another. Anyway, as the guy said Its useless to learn French because they don't speak it in Berlin
 You have no doubt heard about the trains they have over here and the dinky little coaches divided off in sec tiOns called carriages. You notice them at the movies sometimes when the scenes of the story are laid in this part of the world. And you should see the wine carts that they haul the beverage in from the country on. It's not so much the cart that's interest ing, but it's what they have aboard tell you that is one point this country has over the old home country back home. Beer, wine, cOgnac and cham paigne are abundant and cheap. don't know how the Vets and Drys stand back in the States just now, but over here the prohibitionists are in the minority, if there are any at all. But as I am total abstainer" it does not make any difference to me one way or anOther???
 I must not close without telling you about the amusements we have at the Y. M. c. A. I tell you that OrganiZa- ton is a great help to the boys and they certainly are doing wonderful things for us. We have good moving pictures twice week, five-reel fea- lures like you pay nickel to a half buck to see and it does not cost us anything. And it's the same with the vaudeville we have. Such stars as Irene Franklin (Read Head) and Bert Green, COrine Francis and Tony Hunter entertained us through the auspices of the Y. M. c. A.. And a few nights ago the Spot Light" quar- tet gave us a few of their selections. And believe me those "Coons" could sing. And besides those extras we always have band concerts three times a week at the "Y"given by our military band of about fifty pieces. Their music reminds me so much of the little band we have back hOme-it is so different. And aside from amusements the "Y" sells us cigar cites, cigars, candy, etc. at govern ment prices and serve hot chocolate and sandwiches which go mighty good.
 We'll, when I started I didn't intend to write more than one volume, so will ring off for now with the tidings that this letter leaves me feeling better and more of it and hoping that it will find you and all the same.
 I am yours sincerely,
 Private B. B. Heck. .TNICE DRIVEN