Williston graphic., 1919-01-09
CARL GAUTH|ER'S
THANKSGIVING ABROAD
HEARS WlL1IsToN MAN SPEAK
AT Y. NJ: c. A. ON THANkSGIV-
ING-MISSED DINNER

The following is an interesting let
ter from Sgt. Carl Gauthier written
to his brother Harold telling of the
way he spent Thanksgiving day in
France:
Gievres, France, Nov. 20, 1918.
Dear Harold:
guess | owe you letter, alright,
and haven't written home for quite a
few days now, so here goes, for a
! while before l go to work.
The main subject right now must
; be THANKSGIVING, and how | spent it.
In the first place something happen
ed, don't know just what it was,
but we had the forenoon off. l was
never so surprised since I've been
mere. Of course, as a minor consider
alton, we had to make up the time by
working till about ten last night, to
get out the work that had accumu-
lated on accout Of our brief recess.
| arose at the usual time $50. This
was the only thing that prevented the
possibility of sleeping little ding
er, so we had nothing to be thankful
for in that respect. We all had to
stand roll call at that unearthly hour.
in spite Of the fact that there was no
q lulnS 10 40.
so, after | was once up, | couldn't
enjoy going back to bed as some of
the fellows did, but shaved and, with
a fellow by the name of Masters, who
has a brother at the Remount Depot
near Glevres, started out for that
place. Upon arriving there we found
that High Mass was at ten o'clock
and, as it was only a little after eight
then, we decided to take walk down
to the Remount, which was about a
mile farther. | was anxious to see
Major Jackson and Masters hadn't
seen his brother for quite a while.
We found Masters brother away
and just got a glimpse of the Major
going down the road on horseback,
so we started back to Gievres and
met Masters brother coming on
truck-load of hay. The three of US
then went to Gievres to Mass and
then back to the Remount again
where I left them at the barracks
while went over to the Y. M. c.. A.
where Major Jackson was booked to
speak at the Thanksgiving services.
1t surely sounded natural to hear
his voice again and I remember the
last time heard him speak, which
was at the Arnory when they had a
big mass meeting, justh after war
was declared. He made fine speech
and it was evident that it was ap-
preciated by everyone present. His
men surely think everything of him.
After the services were over I
waited and meet him and We had
little talk, but it had to be short, be-
cause it was past twelve-thirty and
] had to be back a camp ready for
work at one-thirty and had about
four miles to go, at least. So I had
to refuse his kind invitation to eat
dinner with him, and turkey at that
And the joke was on me, because
didn't have any dinner at all, but a
swell walk back in the pouring rain.
But | didn't care, because l think
less Of my stomach than ever, since
am over here. And then, besides, we
had doughnuts for supper, so that
made uD for it. And Pm going down
to see the Major again as soon as the
weather clears up and then can
have regular visit.
| don't know anything about how
soon ! may get home. The talk at
present, around here, is that we will
be here quite a while, as we seem to
be the main supply depot for the
army at the front now. Just how
long we will continue to be such, I
have no idea. but rumors are any,
thing but encouraging.
The main thing is, I'm we'll and
even though ! do have to work like
the devil, if I can keep in good
health, I'm thankful for that.
! must close and get to work,
hoping to hear from you soon.
With love to all, your brother
CARL.
Sgt. C. P. Gauthier
@. NJ. Corps, care of D. O. M.