Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1919-04-11
MISS JESSIE GRAHAM ON FIRST
FURLOUGH.

IL =. lCllcI EcCcnliy TC-
ceived from Miss Jessie Graham, by
Mrs. S. C. Graham, at Tazcwcll;
Lyons, France, March s, 1919.
My Dear Clair;
shall never cease to be surprised
at myself for the life ! am living
these days. What could be stranger
than that ! should be visiting your
relatives in Lyons on the most friend
ly and intimate tcrms, promenatling
along the Rhyme and the Laone, right
in the heart of the country that is
making the greatest records that his
terry has ever kncwn. 1t seems like n
dream to me and / am trying to see
and live it all most intensely for fear
of missing thing.
Well, left st. Nazaire on Wcdnes-
day night, at nine o'clock and found
the American train crowded, but man.
aged to get seat. | had to change
cars at Nantes and, with my usual
good luck, met Il young aviator, Il
lieutenant, who took me ut once I'M
der his protecting care and did not
have TO give another through TO the
journey. | only had the one change
to make, except that when we got on
the train at Nantes, we could not get
at once into first class coach and
TO get off ut Tours and make flying
leap for that. The was so afraind |
you'd not be warm and comfortable
enough, that he almost worried me.
There were an American Captain, this
young aviator and = lieutenant Of ar
tillery and if | had been the most
precious package they could not have
handed me around more carefully,
Fortunately, had big box of lunch,
a box of candy, of course, and eight
oranges, so | could divide The 9TH
er people in the compartment were an
Italian sailor, n lieutenant and u
French woman. We, of course divid-
ed all we had with them
When we go to Lyons, we Ameri-
cans had to go at once to the Pro-
vost Marshall to be checked in. There
is always one at the station Then my
boy aviator-he is only twenty-.hree,
went with me to hunt your cousins,
whom | WAS to meet at the south en-
trance. | found MonSuicr ii. waiting
for me and we had no trouble in
knowing one another. | introdu .cd
my boy and told him goodbye, rs he
WAS on his way to Nice Mr. H. had
his car there and took me at once to
| the house where Madame ii and her
! sister were waiting for US. Tne sis
ter speaks excellent English and with
| Monsiuere's good English, we get
J along famousiy, although L am exas-
perated that 1 cannot talk to Mad
| anne. She is charming, so pretty and
| gracious and is anxious for me 10 be
happy and comfortable. She is just
my idea of what q French lady ought
! to be. The children arc attractive and
quite bright, and smart. The girl is
not very pretty, but the boy is beau
tifui, and his parents adore him. The
girl is tall for her age and dark the
boy is rather blond and ! think not
quite three years old. Their apart
ment is beautiful and of course you
know how | am treated to late break
! fast and all nice things. have slept
until nine o'clock botn mornings and
| already feel much better Yesterday
afternoon we went down to the city. l
took my glasses to be adjusted;
| bought two pairs of rubber over
shoes and a long-slceved blue sweat
er that l really needed, but was I'M
able to buy any tailored waists, which
| also need badly. | think | shall
have some made here and sent 20 me.
Last night Madamc's brother came
fol" dinner. He was wounded and dis
charged from the army the first year
of the war. He understands English
and speaks tia little.
rms morning l slept until the maid
brought my breakfast at nine o'clock
and then started your letter, but it
was lunch time before | got very
much written. Monsieur, Minnie,
Madame's sister, and l started for
Notre Dame de Fourvieres, but it be-
| gan to rain and we did not get to the
| church, but went to u collection of
war photos, which was most interest
ing. Then to alovely tea parlor, where
we had chocolate and cakes. This
afternoon we went to another one.
There are very, very few Ameri-
cans here. | always get smile and
a salute from the boys / see. One
almost carried me away from the GAL
lery yesterday. 1t amuses these peo-
pie, but they understand. Yesterday,
Il young lieutenant came into the tea
parlor and Madame insisted that
should speak to him. We were the
only Americans there, and had not
the nerve in such fashionable, strict
| ly French place. They say / have not
the American accent; that it is much
prettier. 1t old them it was the Sou
thern accent. These French compli-
ments are very pleasant when they
J come from the right people. 1t is
quite revelation to me to see the