The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-03-13

hanging down IL. Their horses wer
small, and mostly white. with intelli
gent faces; the men were taking ol
their brides and putting on thci
horses nose feed bags--they, them
selves, eating bread and cheese an
canned goods, cutting the bread an
cheese with big knives which the,
took from their pockets. | thought
what contrast; the wonderful Chris
tian church high above the street, an,
here, ranged along its side, these war
riors of the Prophet with their brigh
robes and iniidel standard. ! watchet
them for a long time, hoping to Sc,
them mount, but at last they began t.
move off, leading their horses. Dowr
the street some French soldiers wers
marching up and stacking their guns
one Of them gave me a cartridge--a
Remington, made in the U. S. A.
All the while people were gathering
and soon the Presidents guard with
their bright brass helmets, came rid
ing along on their big bay horses, fol-
lowed by the Presidents carriage, in
which were the President of France
and President Wilson, while just be-
hind were the wife of the French
President, Mrs. Wilson, and, suppose,
Miss Wilson. Behind them were the
Premier of France, and Secretary
Lansing, General Pershing and French
cfiicers. | was close to the Grub, and
as the soldiers kept the street clear,
had good view of the whole party.
not more than a rod distant. The
President looked in perfect health, and
he'd his hat off often as the people
cheered--but as | said before, | think
it lacked something of the American
cheer Another Y. man was speaking
of that today, so | think it was not
entirely my fancy.
Today saw at news stand, the
first copy of the Outlook that l have
seen this side the ocean---it looked
good.
December 18th.
| left Paris this morning, and hav-
ing checked my baggage last night,
and reserved my seat, was fixed for
a first class passage. Opposite me
rode brigade surgeon, major in
rank, who spoke French well, and who
talked with fine looking man who
knew the country through which we
passed and told US about it; and who
was, it seemed, the Prussian ambassa-
dor to France. As we went along he
pointed out the largest Percheron
farm in France, and near it a large
chateau. The farm had great herds
of cattle; the horses were not large,
but were of the Percheron type. The
country was pretty, but wet; had there
been mountains it would have looked
like the fiat north Of Manchester Cen
ter. The houses were mostly of brick,
with large farm buildings, also Of
brick. The major said the type of
farm was much like those of Belgium,
SO | could see how they served as forts
in the war. The gardens and orchards
are wonders, but l have not seen a
single good apple in France, and the
price is out of sight.
lie Mans is now a concentration
amp, where troops are brought to be
and sent home as trans
,orts are ready.
(iSoyens sur Sarthe) Dec. 22d.
Here l am at Noyens-sur-Sarthe,
Ibout Is miles from lie Mans-my
irst experience in the field l am
licely placed with one of the best
antilles, (next to a 700-year-old
and eating at the officers
ness. This LIE Mans area is, think,
he largest concentration camp in
france, and here at Noyens we have
he best Y. hut; we 60 to LIE Mans for
Mr.. p. is secretary in charge
ere, and am educational secretary,
ssisting him. One can do little COM
'ared to what needs to be done, but
hat little is worth while.
The French woman--an old lady
1here room is SO polite that it hurts;
he is continually trying to do things
or me, for which ! have not French
nough to thank her.
Christmas Evening. II
! will write you this evening, just to !
how you what one who works for the |
!. in France may happen to do. (
This morning Mr.. p, Mr.. X, a min ;
'ter from Idaho, the soldier boy who
clips US, and l, opened, swept and !
ianaged the Y. hall. At 1890 a. m. |
'e had Christmas service, to which I
lany Of the men came,-a good many ,
ade gone to the Catholic service. Is
Our mess room was trimmed with
oily, and at dinner we had a right Z
ood feast, finishing off with frosted
Ike, coffee, etc.
In the afternoon | stood at the can