Newport daily independent., 1919-02-07
LETTER FROM SOLDIER BOY.
Thillomboch, France,
 Jan. 1, 1919.
My Dear Sister:

Jan. 1, 1919. My Dear Sister:
 This isn't much of town here; the houses are built of stone and cement with red tile roofs. The French or Frogs, as we call them, wear wood en shoes. It rains here most of the time, but we have had no snow, except few flakes a few weeks ago. l have four mules to take care of now. Before the armistice was signed and when we were stationed at Pompey we used to see few air raids at night. When we were in restau- rant and the Germans came over and dropped bombs the Frogs would be- gin cry Finish" and run for dug out. Of course we didn't run when they did and we could see great deal. There were big guns on the hill called anti-aircraft guns, with which they shot at the Hun. When we left Pompey we went to place called Challions. While we were there l saw two airplanes battling and of course the Hun plane was brought down. This place was not far from Metz. We could see the German ob servation balloon from there. When we left there and came here we moved in the day time. Before that we had to move at night. When we were moving we had to march behind the wagons. Last night the band played at midnight. Christmas we had a fine dinner and some beer and each man got a pound box of chocolates. They surely were fine-the first I've had since I left the states. The French money was funny at first, but now I've gotten used to it. The franc is the most commonly used. It IS worth about twenty cents in our money, or one hundred centimes in French. Their half-franc is about the size of our dime and about equal to that in value. It takes fifty centimes to equal one-half Franc and five cen times to equal one of our pennies. Their hundred franc notes look like a piece of wall paper and of course 1t won't last like our money-l mean It wears out easy like tissue paper. The Frogs have some fine looking horses and cattle over here. We sleep In big room up over five horses and we sleep in some good beds. They are made of four boards nailed together with four legs and chicken wire for springs. We put some hay on the wire and sleep as fine as kings. We use candles for light and of course we use good many.
 This town is in little valley with four towns around it-Convourie on the south, Woimby on the north, Be noit Vaux on the west and Laymex on the east, all these towns being about the same size. There are about 2O houses in each town.
 We'll, Sis, I left the states on the 23rd of July, sailed from New York to London. We stayed in England one month. We were on the water l7 days. Of course we all want to get home as soon as possible, but we have to wait for our turn. That's the first thing we learn in the army, is to line up and take our turn. We'll, sister, l surely would like to see you and all the rest of the folks. Tell Grace and Norman hello for me. We've just got some new trucks and tractors. We hope that means we are going home, but of course we don't know. But when do get home, believe me, sls- ter, I won't leave you again for a long time. We have canteen here where we can buy cigars and cigar cites cheaper than in the states. Well, will close, dear sister, for l this time. Please write soon; re- member we all look for mail.
 Written by R. s. Ball for U. 5.
 SIayden, Supply Co.,, 136 F. A.
 American Exp. F., 37 Division.