January 3rd/18.
My Dear Sister -
Well at last I have time to write something like a letter. As I
told you in the note I wrote the other day, I am having one of
the best times of my life, and believe me I can appreciate it
after about a year of trench life. Well I will try and tell you
a little of the time I am having. Well I left the battn with my
whole kit caught a motor lorry and rode to the station. I got on
several trains and sometimes the wrong one, as there was not a
through train to Paris. Well any time I had to wait on a train
the Y.M.C.A. canteens were handy so I could always get something
to eat. It took me from 10.30 a.m. till 8 a.m. the next day to
get here. Well when we arrived there was a motor lorry waiting
for to take us to the Y. and to report. They also had a hot
breakfast ready when we got here. They also take parties of us
fellows sightseeing around town and arrange daily motor rides to
the surrounding towns and country. If ever you get a chance,
-help the Y.M.C.A. as much as possible as they sure use us white
always whether in the line or out. One thing though it is very
expensive here one thing and another it runs away with the cash.
I have 700 francs and I am having to go careful in lots of ways
to make it spin out the fourteen days. The hotel that I am
staying at is near the oldest church in Paris. The church is in
the place de Madeline. I wish you could see it. It is sure fine.
The king and queen of France used to worship there. It does not
look like a church on the outside. It looks more like a town
hall. There is no steeple to it, but it is very beautiful
inside. Then there is Napoleons monument, and other places too
numerous to mention. I have a room of my own here. It costs six
francs per night. It is a dandy though. Four large mirrors in it
a dandy lounge soft chairs, and best of all a feather bed. I get
so lazy that it is about eleven oclock every day when I rise.
There is no shortage of food in this town. A person can eat what
they like, but it is rather expensive. One thing these Frenchmen
know how to eat and prepare food. Oh on New Years eve the
proprietors of this hotel gave us a kind of social evening. They
had some champagne and gave me some. It tastes just like apple
ciders. I partook of it quite freely and so was slightly
inebriated. I hope you will not judge me too harshly when I
confessed as I did. Now please don't for I will see it does not
happen again. There is one thing though. There are hundreds of
people on the streets at all times, of both sexes who are up to
no good. There has been quite a few soldiers drugged and robbed
already, but a fellow is alright so long as he keeps his eyes
open. Well I hope you are all in the best of health at home
there. I am enjoying perfect health myself, and another thing I
am pleased to say I am not lousy. It is the first time though
since I hit France. Oh well Ish ca bibble we'll live and hope
for this war to finish soon.
Write often to your ever loving brother
Don and I'll try to answer regularly.
Won't forget.