The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-01


dren aIl asking for an American pen
mp. If one had a thousand pennies
he could have given them away the
first two hours we were there.
We were taken to our English
Camp, and we wonder how they can
live always on the fare we had the
few days we were there. Then there
are the quaint old houses all just
alike and lowering many families
have sometimes wonder how a man
would find his own vine and fig tree
if he happened to come in home
"stewed." There are the little
freight ears and the side door pas.
senger cars, with two cylinded en-
gines. A move is made across the
Island and we see a different country,
but thu same inevitable crowds of
children. There is an old wall built
by the Romans FIVE hundred years
ago; gates and towers in good state
Of preservation. We hurried or
across the Channel in a swift vessel
and when dawn lights up the eastern
sky we see France,--the land of
dreams. We stood on the site where
the plot of the "Three Musketeers,"
by Alexander Dumas, was laid. The
Chateau was built in the 18th CEN
tury. We were in the house where
Victor Hugo was born, and where
he wrote some of his works. We
visited the Chateau where Catherine
De Medici lived and laid some of her
plans; where she used her poisonous
drugs and sorcery. We have stood
on the spot where the Due De Guisse
was fouIly slain. Here is the work
room Of Catherine, where she had Sc
cret panels in the wall, where she
concealed the drugs and poisons.
Here is the tower and dungeon where
many of the citizens of France were
confined, and the trap door in the
center where their bodies dropped
and floated away in the secret chan
mel to the river Loire. We have
walked over bridges that are centuri-
IS old; we have stood in the oldest
cathedrals in France and admired
the architecture; every pillar differ
ent in design and representing diff I
ferent period some of them taking
many years to complete, and many
70 them never completed. We have
showed our way in che Palace Of
Kings. We have seen the place
where Louis XIV built his wonder
full palace, with its still more beau
tiful grounds. Here is the place
where Napoleon lived and where
Josephine died, each with its world
memories.
This is the town where Marie An,
tonette was confined; here lis the
place where she was beheadedyse I'd
I'VE have examinedothe trophies Of
war captured blythe. French from
every nation rand gem the last thou
sand years or so. Here are the suits
Of iron and brass worn by the knights
Of old, and which, BY the way, might
not be out of place in sonic Of the
battles which are now being fought.
This is the French hall Of fame, and
the name of every noble Frenchman
in whatever trade or art he labored
is written here, We were proud to
see our own George Washington sit
ting on horse in the center of
very prominent street. Then there
Is the Avenue De President Wilson
along which we walked. It made us
proud even though there was not an
alley named for us. ] cannot tell
you of all the wonderful things
have seen, but the history Of all Of
them is written in blood and will
never fade. That is why the French |
held. That is why the German tide
was stayed. The Frenchman has his
liberty ard knows the cost. Over
The door of every public building is
written, Liberty, Equality, Frater-
nifty" On this principal it may be
different in manners and customs
from ours but the principles upon
which it is founded are as dear to the
as ours are to us. The
French and American nations on
,erms Of intimate friendship for
years, are now drawn more closely
together, and viii work in better
harmony than ever for the good of
he world.
Well, as l am no preacher, poet
or orator, or anything Of
that kind. must close and 60 on
guard.
Wishing you and your raiders the
best Of life, / am, ever,
Your Sammy friend,
H. CLAY MYERS,
Go. D. 344 M. G. Bn., u. S. Army,
A n r Doth Div