The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-01-31
GLENN MARKS ENJOYS
CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE
Boys Treated to Big Feast; Christmas
Tree and Other Trimmings of the
Season Though in Army.

Cheppy, France, Dec. 25.-Dearest
/ write you for the joy of the day
has brought This certainly has been
a merry Christmas for us BOYS here
at Cheppy, that is for being in France
| will tell you little of the feed we
had.
First | will tell you little of the
setting. 1t was in our new Y. NJ c.
A. hall (not hall furnished by them
but loaned to them by the l4th for
the l4th). And we certainly have two
live wires as secretaries. both were
statesmen in the states, SO you see they
know how to mix with all the boys.
Yesterday the started to trim the place
in pine bows and mistletoe Also
Xmas decorations furnished by the
~" 1t sure looks pretty. But to go
on, we had tables made for the place
so when they were joined to gether
they made three tables the full length
of the hall. On the tables were placed
little Xmas candles about four feet
apart. On the stage was a Xmas tree
all trimmed up, also three tables.
At the back end is the canteen
counter. Well now to begin the feed
there was only Co. D and 2nd Battal-
ion Headquarters Detachment Ito
which | am attached here The com
rany lined up in SQUAD formation, with
Hdq. and Co. D Sgts on the right
We then marched to the side door of
the Y, then in single file past the
canteen counter where Santa Claus
Zone of the secretaries) gave us our
Y Xmas present. bar of chocolate,
package of cookies, can of Prince AL
bert, two packages of cigarettes We
passed on and got cup of soup. Co.
D Sgt. and Hdq OF. were seated on
the platform.
After all were seated they started to
serve the next course with our Off
GERS as waiters), which consisted of
roast turkey, dressing, mashed pota-
toes, creamed onions, turnips and
gravy, Gall this in the bottom of our
mess kit. 1t took some time to get
it served with us all seated, about ESQ
But in the meantime Santa Claus
passed out horns, paper hats, etc, that
gave the boys something to play with.
! We also had good piano and must
clan. Cocoa was also served Next
came peach pie. honest to goodness
| pie and pie crust, next a big piece of
cake, then apples and then grapes.
Something happened that brought
cheer, cigars were passed.
Now by this time we were all more
or less full (I'll say two-thrds of the
boys had let out their belts beyond
the last hole). but thew brought out
some English walnuts, all you wanted.
o1c pocco1 tba calya aud n
Oh. no. this didn't all happen in an
hour. because we had speaking and
singing. AT least the Y secretary got
up and gave us little speal ending up
by saving he would give us ANYTHING
We wanted. Nov it happened our
officers had gotten us a barrel Of hnerl
lust is the secretary said that some one
said "We want our beer" And he
said we should have it and We did
We started in with soup at | 80 p.
m and ended with beer at $40 M,
Now wasn't that some feed. and
enough to make us merry mot the
beer because there was orfv cue
aniece) or mavhe miserable. But
wait-while all this was going on a
truck brouoht in some mail | oot my
share. eioht letters four containing
vmas cards and all wishing us a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year.
"Wher Won come to the end of a per-
feet dav.
Ard sit alone with YOUR thorohts
While the chimes ring ont with a
carol pav.
For the iov the dav has brought
; Vas this is the nnd of rerfoct drv
mother dear hut not near no "rd Of :
tourney too.
Your letter, November %. came to
dav. certainly glad to hear you are
all we'll again also very glad 70 GET
r the pictures Got letter from D'llns
? mailed December 10. he is we'll hut i;
t not expressing him self verv we'll as r.
, the weather. | don't blame him much
5 il they are having as much rain there
: as we are here He said for me to tel
d YOU folks. when got home. that he'll
V hc along soon. Wonder "rhat he j
s thinking about he NAV he home be
: fore me, although hone we get HON
i about the same time. Some great OLE
time we'll have then, Ell! folks?
AS long as we have 10 stay /,
France would just as soon stay her
as | have nv place fixed uu fine
Salvaged an electric light socket an
bulb the other dav so can use it.
90 to bed between 10 and II p. m. an.
get up, we'll, don't know how early
Y on an average $50 a m, Oh. yes
|, that reminds me. Mobile Hospital Nc
5, E leaves tomorrow for the basc por'
) where thew will sail for the GOOD ol
y U. s. A. They are three stripes mer
c not sergeants but they have been owe
l. here over lS months But that is no
e what interests me. Il have nv eye O.
e one Of the hospital beds If get on
d I'll never get up in the mornings
/ ha! ha!
s Love to all Your loving son.
GLENN.