The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-08-31
LETTERS Sol
Written to the Home Folks
Other Side

$ A Any more Of the fellows leaving
for the army
Everything here is fine and dandy
am comfortably and weu located
In our new quarters. some one hundred
and nifty miles from the camp 7
wrote my first letter from (deletedl
had one OK the best trips OF my
life, driving motorcycle from our
hrst camp 10 the present one There
were three OF Us who drove machines.
The roads here are like one long
boulevard We didn't strike a rough
stretch all the way-gotng over the
long winding roads. through the little
towns. over small streams and wooded
spots. surely saw q great deal Of
the beauty or France
1 had an opportunity 70 visit one
OF those old French homes with its
earthern floor. while on this trip I
had puncture just about dark and
near small town. We we're getting
our pup tents ready to pitch for the
night when one nan In the crowd be-
gan 10 talk and gesture to US The
crowd gathering around us began to
talk and motion, too We at hrst
thought they were trying TO keep Us
from sleeping there. till I finally got
his drift" He was Offering US
place to sleep and some eats We nat
uraIiy accepted his oner His home
was right et the spot where We had
the puucture so We covered the ma
chine and went IN
The smell OF the earthern moor was
rather unpleasant at first. but We soon
did not mind IT. II was little on
the rolling type. but was packed Ike
a rock. The room contained a rough
table with two benches along side. a
couple Of stools near the big fire place.
great large clock decorated Won
derfuliy. big cabinet bed. and several
pictures We're on the walls. a cup
board with wines and dishes on the
shelves and two large pieces OF meat
hung from the rafters. Our light was
furnished by one weak candle
With the aid 81 pictures and a raft
OF deaf and dumb signs and motions.
finally learned that our French host
was a gunner. just back from the front
on a furlough We regretted keenly
cur inability to speak his language
When I hit the hay which It really was.
for our bed was big hay loft. I Just
burrowed down and never heard a
sound until the next morning in time
for breakfast. I then fixed the tire
and We went on TO camp.
All along the road the French men
and boys tipped their hats to Us as
We passed them. This is their sign Of
respect for an American soldier.
The one sad sight is the mourning
the people are wearing. and but for
that one would never think so great
a sorrow rested on these poor French
people
France Is working hard for victory
and am proud TO know that the Stars
and Stripes are flying by her side. I
am surely a happy Hoosier TO have
been one Of the lucky ones sent over
here to help her and 7 never had
suit of clothes IN all my lie that I
liked and valued half as much as the
suit Uncle Sam gave me for nothing.
I have Just received two letters 50
far in France and I have read each
one OF these over about fifty times.
I am very anxious for some news and
hope all NY friends will remember me
I shall look forward TO your letters
so don't disappoint me, give my re-
CARDS to all Whiting friends and best
wishes to you.
Sincerely.
DANIEL J. PROCHASKA.
Med Det s1st Eng. A. z F. via New
York