1918 April 17

4/17/1918

Dearest

Have just come in from a very interesting days work & I am very very tired, - a crew of us left here at 6:45 this am with a truck full of machine guns & ammunition – when we got to where we were going we set up the guns & each of us took one & blew the crust off the earth – the guns are beauts & I love to shoot em – we fired over 6000 rounds and didn’t kill a thing ( I hope) – We were testing guns that had been sent back from the front for repairs & the work is part of my instruction course.

This part of France is more beautiful than anything I have ever seen in America – hills in every direction – streams of clear, cold water running all around filled with trout – & the hills covered with pine.

Sunday I took a long walk by myself – over the hills & along a nice macadam road until I came to a quaint little stone village on a river – every house & wall in the place was made of limestone & many of the roofs were made of limestone slabs piled two feet thick & supported by beams which were trees 9 inches thick!!! & all covered with moss, (the roofs I mean). Dear I would give anything if you could be here to enjoy the air & scenery with me! You would be so excited over everything along the road that it would take me a week to walk you five miles – for instance – today I struck a patch of violets a block long – single ones & very fragrant – this part of the country is not quite as advanced as the port I first saw – so I still have blooming fruit trees to look at & tiny gardens, neat as wax in which the vegetables are planted by ruler I guess – every one just in the right place.

Saturday night there was a concert Co here from Paris to play at the “Y” – but someone arranged to have them play at our Club first – Oh yes, we have a peach of a Club – remember me telling you about the thatched house that the English built? – well the YMCA took it – put in a billiard table, piano, & a cantine where we can buy candy, sardines, etc. they have lots of magazines & books & it is a bully place – also free!! Well – the young women – four of them came over & played for us & one sang – they were splendid! Violin, Viola, piano & a singer & each a soloist – only our piano happens to be shi half of the keys & the other half stick so the artist could attempt a number all by herself. After entertaining us for an hour – they went to the Y and gave the men a concert – you could have heard the cheers four miles & after every selection by the ladies – the men rendered one – so in all – a big time has had.

Tonight is band concert night - but I am going to take a nice hot shower & go to bed - knowing that I will hear the band at 5:30 a.m. while lying in bed smoking a cigarette & wishing that my fire could be lit without having to jump out in the cold & light it. We have to chop our own wood - get our own water & dump our dirty water 200 yds from camp - they don't believe in spoiling officers at this camp. Officers attached to Co's have striken - but the rest of us do our own dirty work. - I don't mind any of it except lighting the fire - & I do hate getting my shanks out in the cold at 5:30.

Had a letter from Paul [Henderson] yesterday - he won't be back for a month - I am anxious to be with him - but I hate the thought of leaving this place & going to some darn town to live & to work at a blooming desk - here I feel as if I was doing something worth while - actually in touch with the front & yes far, far away from it - dressing like a tramp when at work - but not around quarters as our Col. Is a stickler on rules - & we have to be fully dressed - Sam Brown belt & all to go to the latrine, which is about a block from here.

Oh, we got in some German armour yesterday - in our salvage - steel helmet, brest plats & plates joined together which reached half way to the knees - the helmet was shot through - so I suppose they got he buggar - I would hate to have to wear this stuff - it is heavy * clumsy.

Dear old scout, how I would love to be with you and baby - I miss you both more & more & it is pretty tough not hearing from you - not a word since I talked to you from NY Mar. 11th. It will be some time before I hear because I couldn't find out how to address my mail until it was too late to notify you after the mail hits France - this service is pretty quick - one of the fellows got a letter today - that was mailed in GA Mar. 21st - well - I know that I will have a nice bunch when they do come - & gee - I will be glad - because I have stewed a lot nights after I get in bed - & that is something I never let myself do before.

Speaking of stewed - reminds me that I haven't had but one decent drink since I got to France - their regulations are very strict. & the Military Police - enforce them with glee - nothing stronger than beer of light wine & there isn't a "kick" in a barrel of it - I can't drink the stuff - it gives me a sour stomach - the wine tastes like poor vinegar, the beer like stale rain water - it is flat and N.G. - also the water is junk - the water here is doped with chlorine & tastes like the Devil. Speaking of regulations - you can tell any Mother how has a son over here that he is safer as far as wine, women & song is concerned that he would be at home. If a man or officer is seen with a questionable woman he is arrested at once, Court Marshaled & sent home in disgrace - this country is overrun with Military Police & they are right on the job. No decent woman will have anything to do with the Americans & the Americans cannot have anything to do with the indecent - so there you go.

Good night darling - it is 2:45 p.m. where you are & I see you & Ticker out for a walk it is 9:55 p.m. here - & the lights go out at 10:00 (no bath tonight) I love you dear & miss you & our precious baby so much, I just ache for you both sometimes, I love you so.

Love to the folks I do Jack