Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 160, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1918 — STANILIS S. BRUSNAHAN WRITES TO HOME FOLKS [ARTICLE]

STANILIS S. BRUSNAHAN WRITES TO HOME FOLKS

France, June 25, 1918. ‘ Dear Folks: I got my firrt mail today which consisted of your letter of April 25th and a card from Ray. Some mail came in yesterday dated the Bth of the month in the states, so you see our mail comes pretty good. v , .. We have been having some real fine weather for a couple of days which we all welcome. The work is getting easier as we get accustomed to it and our work hours are shortened, so in all everything is improving nicely. Near the “Y” is a Hostess House with two American ladies in charge. The house or chateau was once and for. that matter Still is a beautiful place. No doqbt some very rich Frenchman lived there a few years back. We go down to this place nearly every evening after mess. They always have something very good to eat. • Last night we had strawberry short cake and hot chocolate for the sum of one france or seventeen cents in American money. It sure was fine. We were paid last Saturday. It came as a fine surprise, for being so late we thought they would wait until the next month. The French system of money is very easy, but I think it will be sometime before I learn much of. the language. One does not have much dealings with the people and that is the only way one can learn it. Have visited the city of Mehum. Tt sure is an odd place. We walked down the streets instead of the sidewalks and at that we were crowded as they are very narrow. I walked down the street along-side of a “burro” about the size of a dog hitched to a two-wheeled cart. One never sees a four-wheeled wagon, but they have very fine horses. They hitch them -one ahead of the other to these carts. In this town I saw the castle of Charles VII, where Joan of Arc was held prisoner. Joan of Arc’s statue is also there. I did not go through the castle, but I expect to before long. Jim arrived at a camp near here Sunday. I have not seem him yet, but lam going to try to get'a date with him for tomorrow night and meet him half way. I presume that the box you sent will Ibe returned to you. They can only handle so much and they send the rest back. I will have to send you a permit before you can send me a sweater. I will send that with my next letter. Did Lonnie get his furlough? I hope he did for he was perhaps pretty badly needed at home. I don’t envy him at all if he did though for Ke will find it much harder to leave than it was the first time. I thought of trying that myself, but did not do anything for that reason. I guess there 5s still enough at Parr to help you through the rush season. Must Close for tonight. Hopping all at home are as well as myself. I am, CORP. STANILIS S. BRUSNAHAN, Camp U. S. Troops, American Port Office, S. O. S., American Exp. Forces.