The Springdale news., 1919-01-03
FROM GUY C. STAFFORD.

ter to Dad written from Tours France; where he has been attend ing a flying school:
 Dear Dad:- Today's the day we're all writing our Christmas letters tc Dad, and must not neglect writing the best Daddy in the world, although I'm wondering just what is new that l can say that I haven't already written you.
 Have practically finished my course here and am now ready to sport 2 wing on my left breast Pm here now awaiting orders, and while so doing am getting in some time in the air. Had three nice flights Saturday Went up shortly after nine Saturday morning on joy ride" Had a won derfui ship-perhaps you've read something about it-"The Liberty. :" Had good pilot and we "jazzedo around for about 45 minutes. Now when you ride in a ship that travels 160 miles an hour in 45 minutes you cover some little territory. After this flight I went over and tried my hand at shooting clay pigeons. Yes, trap shooting IS part of the training they give us over here We use d Winchester repeating shotgun, Pe- ters shells, Blue Rock pigeons, the same kind of traps as they had at home. was little "offn that morn ing and only got 18 out of D.
 But say, Dad, lets back up and I'll just give you the whole days work and then you will know what I'm do- ing.
 l got up at 7.15 dressed, had break fast of oat meal, hot cakes q ate six1 bacon, syrup. butter, coffee, with cream and sugar. Served by q French waitress. Our messes are all handled by French women called "femne de mess" our barracks are taken care of by French women call ed "femne de ehambre." The fem ne de messa waits on the table, while the "femne de chambre, builds the fire, makes up the beds, sweeps, shines our boots and shoes-we pay her extra for this-mends our clothes, and looks after her charges generally. The one n our barracks IS about 45 years old, lost her husband in the var, but certainly takes care of Us. One morning l had to get up at 6:15 for q flight at 6:45 and she didn't have the fire started. I helped her build the fire, chopped her kindling, and by that got a good stand in" with her and she takes special care of my junk She knows how to spell my name and when l come in from the field she's ready to hand me my mail if l have any. and she can figure out just about when l will return as sine knows when l leave. Have l told that Guy in French is Gee with accent an the Q, and like our 'wee. " Well I'm 'Iieutnaw Gee
 But sy Tn off the right-of-way. I've got into 'toil spin'' with this letter so I guess I'd better "level her out and get back on the subject
 Afetr breakfast l went back to the barracks smoked a cigar and just "lazieds around until 9 o'clock. was scheduled for 9:10, At grab bed a map of the country over which I was to fly, my coat, helmet and gog- gles and out on the field. report ed and the man in charge, sergeant, says, "Lieutenant, take 302. ' l walked over to where 302 stood on the line, and found my pilot ready. His name is It. Deuton and we had some great rides together before, so l in- quired about the "buss" and Deuton said she was in "tip-top" shape. l knew then we'd have a ride. l buck led the helmet just notch tighter, frightened my goggles trifle, pulled on my gloves, erawled in and sald' lets go." The mechanics, plural, turned her over, and ah, sweet sound, she was hitting" fine. l fastened my safety belte signaied and we rose beautifully. I soon got busy watch in the country, and seeing some ob- iects l wanted to note I'd kick the rudder and we'd gently swing over #. About 25 minutes of this and | sienalled the "wash-out" or rather kicked the s.ioy stick" and Deuton knew that my work was completed We then gave the "buss" the gun and flew over A. C. Headquarters With a few nose dives and wing slips" we slid over the star and dropped my message, as we went by Yes, they have weighted contain CT for dropping messages, otherwise it might still be floating. As soor as I dropped it up we "zoomed."
 Reaching the proper altitude, Deu- ton put her thru few paces, some of which have proven very dlscon' certine to a fellow with a weak stom' aeh-one tine I had it but not thl' time. After we had tired t?1 oi this we had a real ride-just flying over the country and seeing what wf eonld. We landed about 9:5o. Ther :, went over to the traps for clay pigeons. After shooting the pigeons l went to the barracks and found tw' letters for me, one from Mary. th' other from Leone c. Holcomb Clinton. Mo. I washed, got read! r.. A,,o, ord at 12.30 had roas