Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1922-01-21
FRENCH BRIDES
ARE HAPPY HERE
Few Are Homesick and Want to
Go Back to Europe but They
Are Exceptions.
Y. W. C. A. OFFERS ITS HELP
Clubs Formed In Various Cities and
Young Wives Attend Glasses In
EngIish--Some Still Coming
to Join Fiances.

New York.-Not all French brides in
this country are so homesick that they
long to return to France. Speaking of
the recent incident of Marshal Foch's
tour West In st. Maries, Idaho, where
three French war brides tearfully
begged to go back to France, Miss
Eleanor Killer, who directs this work
at the National Board of the Young
W0men's Christian association and
under whose chaperonage nearly 1000
war brides of all nationalities came to
this country, emphasized that records
show the majority of them displaying
the utmost fortitude in adapting them
selves to American ways.
Nothing was said of inconsistencies
or desire to return to France when
Marshal Foch recently received the
gift of silver plate from the Union
des Femmes de France, one of our ma
tionality clubs largely made up of
French brides in Boston, although the
personal greetings were warm and en-
thusiastic," said Miss Killer. an fact,
a spontaneous 'Vive PAmerique' i'm
as he passed by. Small as the incident
was, nothing could be more typical OF
the spirit many of these young women
are displaying in endeavoring to ban
ish their inconsistencies and adopt the
new country to which their American
nIN lie I,
Turn to Y. w. C. A.
Due to their acquaintance with the
Young Women's Christian association
In France, and the warm personal re-
lationships established when they were
officially chaperoned by the association
on the trip across, In many cases, 1t
was to the Y. w. G. A. that they have
turned for guidance and help, it was
explained.
French clubs, or French War
Brides clubs, as they call themselves
In some Of our centers in other cities.
which they themselves have organized,
are not for sociability and compan-
iOnship alone" Miss Killer explained.
ITO learn English Is their immediate
desire, and our English classes from
the first have been immensely popu-
lar among them. Glasses in infant
care including prenatal care, have
also been repeatedly asked for and
well attended. In the great majority
Of cases which we touch we have found
them anxious to overcome all the hand
leaps which are so new and strange to
them in their new homes"
An example given was that Of the
Union des Femmes de France, an or
ganiZation Of their own attached to
the Y. w. C. A. of Boston. This club,
Of which Helen Lufberry, sister Of
Raoul Lufberry, the ace who was
killed shortly before the armistice,
was the first secretary, gives benefit
concerts and other entertainments for
war orphans or young women of their
own nationality who are III or In dis
tress here. From the outset their
American husbands have been enthus-
iastic In its support.
Tragic Exceptions.
hC CAtcptiOIo " tic
ity of cases which have apparently
turned out happily, Miss Killer said,
only infrequently come to her notice
"Only last month young woman who
contracted tuberculosis after the birth
Of her baby, sailed back to France"
she continued. "She had been deserted
by her husband. Two cases of bigamy,
for which the men In question are now
In prison, are also pathetic. Although
In one case the man begged his bride
TO stay, she scOrned his offer of loyal
ty to her rather than to the wife that
he had left here when he went over
seas. She has gone back, and the Y. w.
c. A. representatives In Paris are
helping her get position and begin
anew"
In cases of desperate Inconsistencies,
1t was said that the American hus-
bands had often sent for other men,
bers Of their wives families. Particu-
larly where sister has come over to
take up work here, the companlonship
has proved a great comfort to the
young wives widely scattered In iso-
lated communities.
"Romances that started during the
war are still resulting In marriages."
Miss Killer said. "Only last week a
young woman came through here to
join her fiance In California. They had
met and became engaged during the
war. while he was still overseas. A
highly accomplished girl, she had a
splendidly paid position with famous
French house In Paris, and was re-
luctant to leave. Finally her fiance
wrote us to meet her. and she went on
to begin life out In California"
Movies In Place of Sermons.