The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-09-09
QUEER WAYS IN FRANCE.
Homer Bassett Impressed by Difference
from q. S. Customs.

AVN ~ - NNNN~-%N
Mrs. II. S. Bassett Of Fairview street
received two letters Sept. 0 from her
son, Homer, the first written Aug ) and
the second Aug. Is.
He says that the country in France
seems nice, as do the people, but life
there and at Camp Devens cannot be ia
vorably compared He then continues:
II wrote you a letter from Liverpool
and then we moved TO another camp
near the southern coast. Sales of prao-
ticalfy all foods, Injuries and tobacco
are limited in England. The bread, crack
ers and cookies that we were able to
buy or had issued all seemed to be made
of rye flour, but they were palatable
enough Just at present we are IN tents
and | doubt If we live in barracks OF
Camp Deyens type very much even when
in permanent quarters.
"There is a vast contrast between Eng.
land and America. England has all land
utilized Between the barracks they had
vegetables and from the train no vacant
lots were TO be seen. Grains are partly
harvested and some are still green, and
saw some 'spuds' being dug. There is
a surprising number OF colts and calves
to be seen and more sheep than ever
saw before. The houses are brick, mar
row, two story and very little proiec-
ton of the roof at the gable or caves.
In the cities all are the same, and a
street presents the appearance Of long
house. Chimneys have tile projecting
above the brick. Yards are all neat and
full of flowers.
Here in France one is reminded more
of home, although there are many differ
ent things Of which | will write later
when have seen more. During the past
few days I've seen aeroplanes and hydro
planes, about all kinds Of water craft
and something new in the line Of trains
and autos A tank Is what | want to see
next. The railroads in England have
narrower tracks and smaller cars than
we do. 1t doesn't seem as If some of
their freight cars are much bigger than
some lumber wagons / have used. Their
passenger coaches are divided into com
partments, each OF which is much like a
hack and holds eight people comfortably
for third class. Second class is larger
and has arms to the seat. The first class
| is Of about the same size, but holds few
or persons and is connected with a toll
/ ct. The engines for the most part are
comparatively small All couplings are
Of chain with bumpers on each end Of
every car to ease the shock Of stopping
the train.
In the second letter he tslls of trav.
cling two days in horse cars after leav
ing camp near the harbor, and says in
number OF places | have seen German
| prisoners wearing a P.a-green jacket
with white P. G. stamped on IT, In
other places ] saw Arabs and one woods
beside the track contained Canadian
! lumber unit.
1.-THE houses here are all one story and
cement That we are very far south is
evident from the fact that immense vine
yards are everywhere and the heat is
severe. I've seen considerable of French
! life as | have been cooking for the Off
GERS in the kitchen, Of the people who
own the estate that we are camping on.
Nv little knowledge Of French comes in
handy, although it is inadequate, Often
! have to refer to my little pocket die
tionary to make folks understand what
| want.
II have seen no rain since came here
and it is very dry and hot. On this ac-
count they cannot raise any potatoes
and other vegetables are none too plenti.