Putnam patriot., 1919-01-10
LIEUT.. PERRY HOME FROM
 FRANCE ON TEN-DAY LEAVE
(Continued from Page One)

for the work of the American forest CTS who dropped axes and crosscuts, would have left southern France a mass of einders, for the scattered un- aerbrush and trimmings from the forasts made ready fuel for the i flames.
 There was time when only first class mail was received by Lieut.. Per rv and that only occasionally. Some l of his letters never reached him. He was. however, in correspondence with Wilfred Chandler, son of Patrolman Ernest L. Chandler, who was at veterinary base hospital about sixty miles from Lieut.. Perry's station, ana between them they added to each others news from home.
 On Nov. 1 Lieut.. Perry was or dered to Mimizan-le-Baine and later to Beau Desert. After the signing of tbe arnistice he was sent back to Bordeaux to an authorization camp for discharge work and temporary charge of a surgical ward.
 For the uninitiated it is interesting to hear Lieut.. Perry's story of putting tbe men ready to embark through the minv Coming into the hospital after weeks in the mud and diseom- fort of the trenches, they strip, take hath and clad as natures own, are examined. to reappear with new clean clothing, ready for the passage to the land of liberty.
 Lieut.. Perry had his own oppor- tunitv after awhile. They didn't eX- anime him for cooties and when ne reached this side they simply asked him if he had any, whereup he re- ,,lied "Nop' and to this minute only the people at the last laundry really know. ,.
 Tn answer to a question as to ms ;,,nrassion of the French people,
 
 Lieut.. Perry replied;
 "Of course saw the peasants on the streets and around the camps put the ones who impressed me most ,,,oro the upper class-the educated folk. They are wonderfully nlce peo- nle although they hold reserve at erst But one acquaintance led 10 onother and after while we were m v;tad into their homes-and such feeds! Oh, boy!
 "Then the American officers inVic- o1 than, in turn to the officers mess. It was not considered good form TOT tbe French women to mess with the officers in camp, but there became a distinction between French ana American officers after a while anu the French ladies became visitors ai- tbouqh in no wise breaking down their reserve or forgetting their close custom of chaperonage."
 Lieut.. Perry said he became quite conyersant in French, what with the aid of his hands and eyebrows.
 "Well," said Lieut.. Perry at last' "I haven't been as close to the front as many others and that is my great sanpointment-to be so near and vet so far. I didn't have quiet card game broken up and write on the score sheet as some did, Game stop nod because of casualties among the players.' But it was a great experi- ence-and it's good to be home"
 The passage home was a rough one. The vessel left Bordeaux Dec. 23. another of those mysterious num- bers. but had hardly moved down the harbor before there was an abrupt stop. Waiting for pilot, the news was spread, but afterward 1t was known the ship had run afoul a mine field and had to wait thirty-six hours until it was cleared away. There was also a French boy who had bunked in as a stowaway and com ing up from the hold too soon was sent back with the harbor pilot. sNever mind, I'll get across on the next boat" was his farewell message.