Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1919 — LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS

Corporal Jesse Grimm Writes of “Leave” in France. Corp. Jesse Grimm of Company M, 324th Infantry, writes interestingly of bls travels wnile on leave in France: • Nice, France, March 29. Dear Ones at Home —Well, I finally got a pass and believe me I surely have enjoyed it. This is a wonderful place down here, and I will try to tell you a little about it and of imy trip here. Of course I can’t begin to tell all about it for that would take someone with a better knowledge of description than I have. But, to begin with, my “leave’’ from the start has been full of events. On Thursday, March 20, I left camp for Nice, but before entraining we had to pass review at Chattion and I surely didn’t want to miss it, because King Albert and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium and General Pershing were there. Oh, it was great. Of course I was pretty tired by the time I got on the train but it was worth it all. The entire 81st division was there. It took about 400 auto trucks to get them all together. Well, after I had seen the king and . queen and General Pershing, with six others from Company M, I boarded the train for Nice. We happened to get a second-class car, which was just a little better than a box car, and that isn’t saying much either. Was on the train Thursday evening 9:15 to Sunday morning 3:15, sq you can Imagine I was pretty tired by the time I got here. My pass was good for seven days after landing, the time taken to go and come not being counted out. After arriving here the guide took us to our hotels, and let me say there are some hotels here—the largest and finest I ever saw. I am at the “Little Palace,’’ and it is a mighty fine place. Uncle Sam pays for our three meals per day, and what is more, I have the best bed that I ever slept in. Gee! I wish I could say good-bye to the little old bunk back at billet No. 8 in Niosson. Well, I started out. at once to see the sights; didn’t care for any rest after getting breakfast and cleaning up a little. It was first to get some beer and then to the “Y.” I will have some photos of

the Casino. The "Y” has rented it. It is a great, fine building. We can get any kind of information. Can get good things to eat; plenty of shows and good music; fine writing room and a large room for dancing. After seeing the “Y” and getting on to the ropes of the town I Just had to spend another franc tor more beer. Took a fine stroll on the promenade which gives a fine view of the Mediterranean sea. Do you know I nearly strained my eyes trying to see New York over across the “pond,” but nothin’ doin’, it was too far away. But the waves as they rolled up against the beach brought back the memories of other days when I was on the lookout for a submarine.

Well, after doing Nice for three or four days I took a car up to Monte Carlo on the Italian border. I went through the Casino at Monte Carlo, wuich is the largest gambling house in the world, and it is surely some building. You can’t even get a look-in at a game there for less than 25,000 francs. None but the royal families and millionaires can afford to do any business. A buck private and his dice wouldn’t have much of a show at craps, "I don’t think.” Then I went up on the hill and saw the Prince Albert castle. This place seems to be a little monarchy of its own. It only covers about 360 acres and includes the pretty towns of Monte Carlo, Monaco and and one other that I cannot think of the name of. But, anyhow, Monaco is the capitol of the place and is ruled by the prince. The prince and princess were at home when I was there and for that reason they would not let us go through the palace. But passed up close enough to the iron gate so that I sort of excited the guard and I thought it was about time for me to “beat it.”

Well, from there I went through the museum. This building was put up by the prince and contains Ash and everything that lives in the water and which were collected by the prince. From there I visited “Suicide cliff.” Here the unlucky gambler as a rule settles everything iby throwing himself over the steep, rocky cliff into the water. From there I went down the hill into Monaco and got a Ane dinner for Ave francs at one of the hotels. After dinner I went to Menton on the border; bought some postcards and some handkerchiefs from a pretty little Italian girl. Had some more beer. This time I was drinking in another country. Bought some oranges and was ready to come back to Nice. So this is only a part of my stay here. I w’on’t or can’t tell you of all the beautiful scenes of this wonderful little place. It is the Aower of France. Never gets cold here, and the prettiest girls I ever saw—but at that, give me the American girl. Well, this is Saturday and I have only one more day to stay, but' can say that I have been very lucky to have come here, and wouldn’t have missed it for anything. I o , nly wish now that I was coming home 1 instead of going back to camp. I am in the "Y’’ writing this, over the blue waters of the sea. I am facing the west and all I can see is water; but far, far across the deep are the ones I love and it seems that I can see you all this morning. These seven happy, glorious days will soon be spent and then back to the camp and authority. Am sending you a few photos I had made here in Nice. Will only send a few for my pocketbook is not very heavy. v Here are also a couple of handkerchiefs that I got while in Italy. They are not very much but good for memory’s sake, you know. Your son and brother, CORP. JESSE GRIMM. Co. M, 324 Inf., A. P. O. No. 791.