The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-02-14

the people with great welcome, and
while it may be hard to believe, yet
ii is fact that the further we get
into Germany the better we are
treated. At first, when re started
on our march, we had to sleep in
barns; once in awhile we got into a
house, though we were mighty well
pleased to even get into the barns,
for it was at least dry and there was
no danger of shell fire. 1t was quite
a relief from what we had only a
week before But now we are in
Germany and nothing but the best is
good enough for us. The people all
treat us fine and we sleep in the
finest beds, ard what they have to
eat they share with us regardless of
how they have to sacrifice to do So
Two or three boys stay in each house,
and they have plenty of eats. OF
course, our own kitchen is with us
all the time so we do not have TO ask
them for anything TO eat, therefore,
everything they give US is given of
their, own free will. OF course, their
own products are limited, but they at
least show their good will. 1t is
hardly believable chat only four
weeks ago we were killing them or
they were killing us; it was just a
question of who got there first; and
now we stay in their homes and have
the best they can afford under the
present situation. 1t must be rather
difficult, however, for the boys who
cannot speak German. | have been
more fortunate than q lot of them,
as | have been able tofget everything
| wanted. During the past two weeks
III have been Interpreter for our billet
officer and have been with him all
the time, looking uD places for the
men TO stay when they come into
the town. / have heard a great deal
about the war, and also found lot
OF information with regard to some
of the peoples feelings, both in re-
gard to the United States and also
relative to their feelings toward their
own government; but l cannot write
about it here. Will mention one in
cident that occurred just the other
day. We were billeted in a town and
| one Of our boys who could speak
German vert into house to buy
some milk. Well, since he could
speak their language he was given
the best they had, and was invited
into their parlor, and what should
! he see on their piano but his own
family picture. 1t happened to be his
uncle and aunt and | guess the good
time he had while there was one he
will rot forget very soon.
The scenery is the prettiest | have
eyer seen, but will tell you about
| it when ] get home. Everything that
you can buy in this country is pref
ty high priced, ard | guess we are
making up for what money we could
| not spend while in the trenches.
Have heard that Elkton had it's
share OF Spanish influenza that has
been sweeping the states this fall.
We have not heard very much about
| it here though there were two. mild
cases in our company but Fortunately
no deaths. : forgot to tell you that
have seen some of the frest chrrch
es in this country that have ever
seen. Everybody through this coun
TRY is mostly Catholic, and attend
ed mass at a German church the
first time for long while, last Sun
day.
| Well, i guess / will have to draw
my letter to a close, hoping all is
well at home. Am feeling fine and
should be, for surely have been liy
ing high The last two weeks. YouI
| loving son John