The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-07-13

ference in first and third except
that people ride in lst class
and in 3rd. There was quite mix
/ ture in our compartment as there
was a Royal Navy warrant officer,
a rather attractive Wren (compar-
able to our WAVES), Royal Navy
officer and a 1st lieutenant in the
British army. Pete, Edith and
chatted away like trio of Jay
birds but the British are so reserved
/ they wouldn't start a conversation
i if they were dying to talk TO some
one. Edith, who is always our little
/ ice breaker, soon started the ball
rolling by asking the little leftenant
a question and from then on we all
Joined in and had jolly good time.
They really are very friendly once
YOU make the necessary approach.
Pete and were dying to drag out
our salmon sandwiches and eat and
so but all doubt was soon removed
| from our minds when the. Leftenant
opened his suitcase and produced
| huge sandwich which he ate with
healthy zest. So Pete opened our
sditty. bag and we passed our vic
tuals to the remaining occupants OF
our compartment. They think the
Americans spend good deal OF
their time eating and I'm inclined
to believe they are about right The
gum chewing that the Americans do
/ IS always subject of much discus
sion. We had some gum which we
offered to them and soon everyone
was chewing away and we were
quite amused at their embarrass-
ment caused by their failure OF
knowing how to dispose of it. They
were under the impression that all
/ Americans stuck it under chairs and
tables when through chewing it. We
| fastened to assure them only peo-
ple with bad manners did that. Thus
ended our gum chewing episode and
don't really think they enjoyed it.
Wednesday was market day IN
England and we were amused by
the way they transported some of
their products. We had to change
trains at one little town and on
/ the platform were six little calves
with gunny sacks around them and
| draped in a manner to serve as a
diaper
Eve arrived in London around
eight o'clock and | must say we en-
loved the scenery all the way. The
country was flat and Of course
typical of all English countryside.
/ One of the things that strikes you
most about London is the absence
of tall buildings which we Ameri-
cans invariably associate with large
cities. l knew we wouldn't see them
but nevertheless sort of missed
them. We had to stand in line and
wait for cab but it wasn't long
and we were at 10 Charles St,
where the American Red Cross
Nurses Club is located They have
four large old houses just for nurs-
es and can accommodate you at any
time and it isn't necessary to have
reservations. 1t is very nice and we
only had to pay four shillings for 9
nights lodging, which is less than
a dollar in American money. The
dining room and restaurant were
closed but the snack bar was oper
and we had a good lunch there. Al
the movies, plays and other place:
Of entertainment start early so they
are over with before the blackou'
with the exception of night clubs
and we were quite disappointed be
cause we were too late for them
and felt we were going to spend {
dull night in London until we me-
a couple of kids we had met on the
boat, one a pilot and the other
bombardier. One wore ribbor
which designated five successful
missions and the other had a clus
ter on his ribbon which meant hi
had ten to his credit. They were II
London for the night and the mex
day then they were to go to a res
home for seven day rest. They
jokingly said that week rest wa
to prevent their becoming FLAG hap
by, which was most likely mor'
truth than anything else. We wen
to night club and spent yer,
enjoyable evening and 1t seemed
good to be where there were sof
lights and bit Of night life again
The boys were good kids and reall,
appreciated having SoiIfc Alliei lldi
girls to talk to. We didn't 60 hom'
until the club closed which wa
! four o'clock We slept until 8 a. m
4 and had breakfast at the Red eros
and were all ready to take tou
Of London, which had been ar
ranged by the R. G. We had one Q
: the funny little cabs peculiar t
London Our driver was Frencl
with a keen sense Of humor and
thorough knowledge of the spot
we visited.
First we saw Buckingham Pal
ace and this morning the King AM
| Queen were at home inasmuch a
| the flag was flying which is sig
| of their presence in the palace Ev
cry morning at 1890 they have
| changing Of the guard at the pal
ace and all tourists make it mus
| on their tour. 1t is very spectacular
not so much in war time as the
| wear regular wartime uniform Will
in peace time their attire is yer
ornate.
II I'VE saw Saint James Palac