Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 January 1919 — LETTER FROM ‘SHERM’ PARKS. [ARTICLE]

LETTER FROM ‘SHERM’ PARKS.

France, Dec. 18, 1918. Dear Folks:— I have been neglecting writing to you for some time for various reasons, but shall write some tonight. One reason was I thought we might leave here any time for the States, and another reason was because I haven’t any thing to write of interest. We have left the camp we had been in and are now in the city of Nantes. Have been here two weeks and don’t have the 5 least idea when we get away. We are billited in a Frenchman’s house, or rather in his attic. The»e are just a few men in this particular attic, as our battery is along the street for two blocks. We still are short a few things that a fellow rather likes, such as a little heat, lights and good weather, but as this is the first city most of us have been in for sometime, it offsets a lot of the discomforts. I don’t know how large this place is, but it is a pretty big city and just as dirty accordingly. I won’t attempt to describe to you what little I have-seen of the place as it would take too long and as I am using a Saturday Evening Post as a table and my blankets on the floor for a chair, I am not in the most comfortable position. The reason I don’t rent a good bed and room is a very common one and there are only a few fallows that do have the money. These people are mighty nice to us but they don’t beat around the bush when it comes -to taking the francs. Even if I was a lover of money I don’t believe I could manage to keep any of this as a fellow doesn’t realize he has a cent when he gets a pocket full

Received my Christmas package the other day and also some mail, and was very glad to get it. Was very sorry to learn of Aunt Lulu being of of the awful epidemic' victims, but that is something that comes to us all and I look at death a great deal like Mamma does. Am mighty glad none of you folks had severe cases, as it surely goes hard with a fellow to lose any of his people when so far away from home. I certainly hope it is over by this time. Tell the kiddies I received the letter with their pictures and was tickled to death to get them. There is a mighty pretty little girl living with her grandparents down stairs and she is just about Sister’s age. (Her name is Susanne.) I showed her the pictures and she laughed and ran and got her grandparents. They thought they were fine. This little girl has been adopted iby a U. S. Marine officer, also her brother. The little boy is about seven years of age and is a mighty bright lad. Their father was killed in the early part of the war. Well, some of the fellows just came in and it is nearly time for ighta out, so will stop for tonight with the hope I will be i nthe States by the time Ulis letter reaches home. Am feeling fine and hope to see you soon. One of the fellows that just came in was wet and he said, “Ain’t this a hell of a place to come into on Wednesday night?” He didn’t lie either, and here’s hoping we do leave before long. As ever, SHERM.