The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1919-04-10
MISS WRAGG IN ITALY
FROM ROME TO VENICE
WRITES INTERESTING LETTER
OF HER EXPERIENCES
HOME NEXT MONTH.


ed letter from Miss Ethel Wragg,
who writes entertainingly of her ex-
periences in Italy. She went over
about a year ago as a stenographer in
the service of the Red Cross and dur
ing most Of the time she was station
ed in Rome. The letter was written
at Padova, In northern Italy, and in
what was formerly the war zone. Miss
Wragg is SO well known in Wallace,
and has so many friends here, that
Mr.. Featherstone consented to its
publication in the Miner, knowing
that it will be read with unusual in
terest. The letter follows:
Never Felt Better.
Your letter received yesterday is
the newsiest one / have received. En-
joyed it so much copied good part
of it and sent to Mrs. Botsford in
Paris, as I know she is always inter-
ested in legislature proceedings. 1t
was nice of you to take the time to
write so much by hand, though sup
pose it wasn't much worse than it was
for me when l first began to use this
Italian keyboard machine. Had not
heard of Stoneys death, or of Fox be.
ing in New York. I shall call him up
when l arrive there-if l have time
and maybe he will buy me feed, but
| shall feel sorry for his purse II l
don't get filled up to some extent on
the boat. Never felt better in my life,
but have lost several pounds. partly
from the food, and partly from walk
ing and climbing so many stairs. In
Rome / walked to the fifth floor, and
also at the pension-111 steps several
times a day. There seems to be a
law both in France and Italy against
taking lift for less than fourth floor,
also against riding down.
Seeing Venice.
Have been up here in Padova since
February 26, and though / don't like
Padova or this part Of the country as
did Rome, the trip has been worth
while. Went to Venice one Sunday,
and as 1t was a warm, bright day, was
very enthusiastic over it. Am trying
to get finished so I can go over this
afternoon about $3.50, to get into the
shops to buy few beads and see Ven
ice by moonlight, coming back to-
morrow. Red Cross travels on pass
over here. and had nerve enough last
Sunday to get on the train without
one and ride about 20 miles. 1t work
ed. Red Cross uniform seems to be 8
cially here in the war zone; If that IL
not recognized 'Croce Rosa Ameri.
cana Is all that is necessary to say
Last Saturday night two Of us rode
with one Of the ambulance boys abou
so miles to Oderzo, across the Piave
and saw my first of the real war ter
ritory, at about the point where thu
final drive started Oderzo was occu
pied by the Austrians for year.
Missed Seeing Pope.
Heard last night things are CLOSING
there is a possibility shall sail abou
April l. If so l will be somewha
rushed, for / hardly expected to g,
until the 18th. Am entitled to SOM
leave, which ] will take at Florence
on the way back to Rome. Am afrait
shall not get to stay there as loni
as expected. Am entitled to 10 day.
at least, and If I sail on the early boa
will get about four days. Also want
ed to hunt up the family Of my ole
friend Ghio-you remember him-neal
Genoa, which l will not be able to do
Had the promise of an audience will
the pope when returned, which will
also be cut out. Know he will be dis
appointed not to see me- That |!
about the only thing | missed in Rome
Don't believe anybody who came
over here has gotten any more enjoy
ment out Of this work than / have
and l think the chance to come is thu
incest thing that ever happened to me
am afraid l will bore all my friends
when ! return telling about Italy ant
the things l have seen.
Famous Gallery at Florence.
The ambulance boys leave the frs
Of April. which takes practically al
the Americans, with the exception OF
very few at the army headquarters
You never saw a bunch Of boys sc
eager to get home. 1t has taught the
most Of them how much they love
America, and most Of them will never
want to cross the ocean again. AS fol
me, would like to see Italy abou,
three years from now, but by then
traces of the war will be practically
removed. had wanted to go over tt
Trieste from Venice, but If leave sc
soon, won't have the time, for am
looking for a great treat in Florence
In the Pitt art gallery. which is the
finest in Italy and one of the best In
the world.
Back to Wallace in May.
"Just stopped to send a telegram
which would indicate that I sail on the
early boat, as personnel has orders to
leave here on the 22nd or sooner, for
Rome. Hope I get away sooner. In