The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1919-02-27
A FEW DAYS IN
A FRENCH VILLAGE
BY TOM RHEA PHILLIPS
Article Four.

ATClcie. -FOUR.
While at Ploerinel in the prov
ince Of Bretagny Brittany we
had our best opportunity to be-
come acquainted with the popu-
lace and learn their customs. We
were given the freedom of the
town every evening from to 9,
and all day on Sunday.
Our brigade was first quarter
ed in the buildings and grounds
Of an old Agricultural College.
The halls and garrets, and even
the stables were used to give
quarters to our men. In Eng
land, His majesty furnished us
two blocks, six inches high, with
three ten-inch boards across them
as bed; but here we were is
sued bed socks" and after they
were filled with 4 peculiar form
of vegetable growth, they made
quite a comfortable bunk"
The President of the College
was very elegant Frenchman
who was teaching in Boston,
Mass, before the opening of hos
tilities, and at the time the war
started, he was visiting his home
in France. He was still French
citizen and was forced to remain.
He could speak both languages
we'll, and was of great assistance
to us when we had trouble in con-
versation.
It seems that it makes no diff
ference how well one can read
French in College here, when he
attempts to carry on a converse
ton over there, he finds it neces-
sary to speak very slowly, and
request that the one with whom
he is talking will do the same.
Every Frenchman is very anx-
ious to talk with you and to learn
your language. We found quite
a number of French who pre-
ferred to converse in English, so
that they might improve in our
language.
Of course, it is your foremost
inquiry, "How do we like the
French girls? In many respects
they are very much like our A.
merican girls friendly, sympa-
thetic, jolly and sincere admir-
ers of those who wore the Ameri-
can uniform. We saw the French
girls most frequently as workers
in the stores, on the streets, in
the homes, or on the farms. On
account Of the dnsual crowded
conditions, and damp climate,
their dresses are usually black,
or of some dark color, and seem
to make the girls look older. At
twelve years. of age, many of the
girls wear long dresses. Thus at
the very beginning our opinions
were changed. At their best,
though they have, done so much
physical labor, the French girls
are beautiful. Care and sorrow
have furrowed, many a fair brow,
but there is still that vivacity,
light-heartedness and spirit for
which the Frenchwoman is noted
the world over. Those little nice
ties and discretions which are so
characteristic of our American
girls were foreign to the French;
for which reasons, we were agre-
ed that the American girls are
our choice.
The French are very optimistic
and seized every report Of the end
of the war and made it an occa-
sion for general rejoicing. They
would meet the Americans on the
street and Immediately endeavor
to impart the information they
had received.
Nearly every building had a
little room, opening on the street,
where wine, cider, and cognac
could be purchased. In addition,
groceries, nuts, small hardware,
etc., were sold. The family lived
back of the "store" and when a
customer entered, some member
of the family came in to wait on
him.
Prices were prohibitive. Butter
was $1.20 a pound, ham $1.OO,
eggs Is cents each, and every
thing else as costly in proportion.
Bread could be bought in abund-
ance. The bread, made Of sub
stitutes, with thick crisp crust
was very appetizing. A loaf
weighing seevral pounds cost only
% cents.
One day we saw q man come in
home from work. He opened the
door, led the horse and COW with.
in, closed the door, and stabbed
the stock in rooms adjoining
those of the family. Certainly,
nowhere, are domestic animals
more kindly treated.
At night the boys would go in.