The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-08-27
CLOSE TO FIRING LINE
Woman Y. M. c. A. Worker Almost in
Midst Of Hostlities.

ago 10 NOTk WllH tHe L vi, I. n. mas
written some interesting letters, ex
tracts from one of which follows:
France, July 10, 1918.
Gear People:-
Well, here | am again, here" beint
the third place since leaving paris, less
than q month ago. Just now I'm
waiting to be called for dinner, as the
Colonel, thru the chaplain, has invit
ed several of the "Y" women at
distance and me too, being new
conner and believe the only woman
(American) in the immediate neigh
borhood. The reason my stay was 81
short at the other two places does
not mean that didn't make good, noi
does it mean by anymeans I'm retreat
IN.
How wish could describe it all tC
you the old, old village and most o.
all the interesting things on the way
but one cannot be specific as vol
know and | really do not know JUS
how far we go. But YOU will recall
the t. S. A. went to war about yea
ago and before that there were some
other countries at war and still are
Well, as you know, | am on the sol
of one but with the soldiers of om
own. or the latter fact, you woult
have no doubt, could you hear the
confusion of Instruments across the
street playing when Yankee Doodle
learns to Farley vous Francais.'
I've been initiated into the regiment
here, or with them I hope to remain
until we finish this little old war, fol
they're the finest and most congen
ial lot of officers I've met yet
mostly southerners- which will
please Dad, as he's always maintained
he South would be the section most
loyal, etc, etc Much OF my work /;
with enlisted men naturally but II
helps lot to have congenial officer
in full sympathy with the Y work
They've offered everything, too, anc
rs transportation and many of those
things are our most difficult PROPOSE
ions, ii means great deal for man!
hlngs can be obtained not too far
of, If one has the wherewithal.
My work will be even more interest
ing than at the previous hut. for J
will see the men just before they &c
10 the trenches and as they come out
IN the only American woman on the
oh at this point The hut is a
dingy, dirty, dark room with nothing
Tor decoration but boxes. but vel
'Oon fix that
think ] may tell you that I've beer
1uder fire. Coming out this after
noon saw smoke puffs on the groun6
occasionally, but thought nothing o
It and our little old Ford made sc
much noise | heard nothing. Then
me fell closer which the chauffeur
saw and he admitted 1t was one
| FOUNDER. Fritz sends them over JUS
/ On the chance that they may hit
something. but really this war bust
ness Is awfully tame-what I've seer
" it. In spite OF sausages, barbed
wire, camonflaged guns. trenches, ali
battles. at which one does not see the
enemy but the puffs from the guns, il
IS the most peaceful restful countr!
IN appearance I've ever seen. cal
we'll understand how II might bC
much different If Fritz tried to com,
over those hills or II we went owe
them. Ii all thrills nevertheless ant
have to pinch myself to make my
self believe I'm really here. The vii
ace has had some shelling but
guess FritZ's have had too and afte
all these villages aren't as essential 4
Frtz's happiness as hospitals, or
ne is clever enough he likes to &c
aviation grounds, for our aviator
do worry Fritz quite a bit.
The "Y Exec. OF this section is
live wire compared to his predecesso
or It wouldn't be possible for me I
, be here. Throwing bouquets at m!
self, | can say, that they are it'll
particular who they send to thes
, places too, because. as you mus
I realize, some difficult situations aris
! at times and as yet. no hard and fa'
} rules have been made. so it means u
) ing ones own judgment, as we'r
here 10 serve all the men and officer
, alike and not to show any preferenC
T. nor do anything that calls forth crit
cism We're closer to the lines tina
any other women of any nationalil
now and Dusty" Is about the cos,
e methlnks and don't worry abol
l. Fritz making any advance, as Ion
: as our boys are on the job My b
T. let is q comparatively luxurious on
except as to toilet arrangements.
u course the stable Joins the kitchen
/, per usual and since the war, maj
- hyglenic matters have been neglect
: or forgotten. What It was before d
. war | don't know. but they'll have
lot to catch up oa after It is ovt
Our men usually clean up a to'
fairly wei as far as Il concerns the
=, Tut they cannot interfere every plat
- Anv way our beds are always Gle
. and always comfortable. cot
write volumes aboat the boys
that win have 20 20 tor another tin
DO all write often and send ma
MT z.res and pictures Of home scenes
sh ANYTHING that Is permissible. Tn,
Id are the BOYS that need diversion a
nc because transportation is 80 tied
do etc they get the least and the b
of end Of much. Must stop and era
W H..
ut From this lucky and happy pers