The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-02-13
\ GOOD RHAPSODY

\ GOOD RHAPSODY
rrhc following letter h from HerRi
Carl - Schmidt. Co l.. gard In
fantry. with the Army 81 Occupa
uon Germany. 20 his father c y
Schmidt ISIS Lake ave. .. scaticl
Dear Folks This Is the first sun.
day I have really rested for a long
time We sure have been going
since last October We haven't
reached our destination yet, bat I
think wr viii get there tomorrow
We've been resting IN this place
since day before yesterday. and all
that d. hacking is a bath. I and a
frw other fellows have room ia
Is private house an by ourselves. II
aure seems sood 10 Dc IN house
again We have bren living IN
barns and In the open since the last
~ ociobgr. ana haven't had a
bath for two months And talk
about coolies
II these w.ro penny each. ]
would have John - taking OF bis
hst 10 me We've had Il hard. all
right since we luf, civilization They
say We will have fine barracks. with
club rooms. meas haila and showers
when wr reach our destination II
seems almost too good 20 be true.
hut We are living in hopes
I'm going so Try and do some fish
Ing In the Rhine. u I can steal a
lltiio time away I've seen the fish
jump. and know there are plenty
there. SIN have those hooks you
sent me last spring Trouble H.
when wo get a day Off were 40
tired We don't stir from our hunks.
save for mess call. ! feel about rs
years old now
After We get back 20 tho States.
aud set aonc good grub and rest.
VIC viii be All right again
Take u from me. Shermhn'A
march 20 the nca didn't have a
thing on PsrthinEs march 20 the
Rhine
II they ever ifi the han on send
ing packages while / am over here.
acnd mo All the cats you can. We
haven't had any fruit since VIC left
the statca They may say We get
everything. and perhaps the 4 y. y.
does. bat S; doesn't last 10 the front
lines We got doughnu,H twice. and
ainon, tainted from surprise We
usually have STUN instead % hot
cakes or oatmeal for breakfast. and
for dinner. instead Of steak and pic.
they dish out more "slum' and hard
tack. and for supper they give uH
tfafst.,.H Tor "a chance
once in awhile We get a little real
food. 20 keep the men on their feet
We're going deeper into enemy
territory all the time. bat ! have
hopes - reaching the states by
Faster. and tho restaurants want 70
DC well stocked when this bunch
lands. because were coming pre-.
pared 20 be- welcomed We are see
ing an these countries welcoming
their returning soldiers. and. believe
me. were an prepared Tor a white
mans welcome when We get back,
The Rhine lsnt quite az biz aa !
thought 10 would be It's about the
sligo 81 the Columbia river az Nenat.
chee. The country around here
looks something like Eastern wash
lnRton. too. that iH. II YOU hals close
your eyes and use tho imagination
"a lot. But the country doesn't seem
like she United States Even tho
blue sky doesn't look real Its no
wonder the people % Europe are
fighting an the time. II stay here
much longer I think III have 10
shoot somebody once IN awhile. too.
90 break tho monotony.
Most Of the Germans treat us fine.
better than the French ala They
haven't much to eat but we are
welcome TO what they have. and
they don't charge ~ double price
for u. either. They all talk about
America as tho II were some happy
hunting ground They ask us about
the wonderful eats we get and speak
Of our white bread Almost all ~
them are glad the kaiser is gone.
They don't seem 10 worry much
about their government
suppose it's quite cold over there
now The winter is mild over here
this year. We've had quite "a bit or
rain. but no snow or cold weather.
sure would like 20 pcc big flock
OF ducks again. tho, I just noticed
two ny up the river. the first I've
seen for q year.
IN write again when / reach my
destination. Get that Ford well
oiled. fattcn up couple OF chickens
and several rabbits and save some OF
that canned fruit and jam. But |
guess strawberries win bc ripe
again. when | get back,