Letter 103
Dec.
27, 1919
Aix
Les Bains, France
To My
Darling Girl,
It is Friday night and one week
since I’ve arrived in Aix Les Bains. I
surely have enjoyed myself if ever I have in my life. I’m still feeling fine
and ok. My stomach is better. The only
thing that is wrong now, is that I hate the thoughts of going back to the company,
leaving all this great pleasure behind, but I must not be greedy and risk it
all myself when there are others who would like a turn. I wish myself mighty lucky to be permitted to
come.
Since writing to you last, Geo and I have had
two more good days of pleasure.
Yesterday the weather looked favorable, so we went up to Mt. Revard. I do not know how far it is up there, but it
takes the train an hour and 35 minutes to make the grade. We left at 8:30 A.M.
and got back at noon, but we surely had a great time. Now trust us for that.
When we left the valley it looked like summer, but after a few minutes a little
snow began to appear. Farther up it lay
upon the trees and covered the ground and by the time we reached the top, we
knew it was winter, for the snow here was deep and very light.
A heavy mist had covered the whole country
around so that we could only see for about 150 to 200 ft., but we never took
any notice of that. The first thing we did was to find us a pair of skis. Well we
were very lucky for each of us found some.
The next question was, are we going to put them on? The answer was yes, so up the path we went
and finally came to a clearing. We
managed to get the skis on them on the best we could. Geo. started first. He only went about 10 ft. when one foot went
one way and the other the opposite and the only thing I saw was a heap of snow
and Geo. tangled up in the skis. You say I did not laugh, well you should of
seen me! I almost fell over myself laughing.
After Geo. got set again, I tried it.
I went a little farther and to my surprise I found myself plunging head
long down the hill, after getting up as far as I could I found that my skis
were twisted and I had a terrific time getting them straight. That’s the first
act; the act began with Geo. taking a fall into the snow. One fall was not enough for me, so I started
again. After going for 15 or 20 ft. my
skis got crossed somehow, the results was that I was thrown into the snow. After gaining my feet again, this time I was
very lucky. I got started well. This time I was making about 50 or 60 miles
per hour. I could see small trees flying
by. I could see nothing before me and I
dared not turn to see what was behind me.
I was going at such a rate my coat tail flew out behind me like it had
been frozen there.
I
did not know how to stop and neither did I know where I was to land, so then
only thing left to do was to fall over.
I tried to sit down. I did not
get very far till I got off balance, and when I stopped sliding, I had snow
about a foot thick all around me. I
surely was a sight. Geo. saw me going
down and surely was laughing. But oh, it
was fine! I surely would like to spend a
week up there and nothing else.
The
next act, not so romantic but full of joy, was a sleigh ride. Five of us rode a large schooner. Geo. did the steering, but we went so fast the
snow flew up into Geo.’s face and we could not see the road, so we got
off. The result was we finally stopped
in a big snow heap. That was a wonderful
morning, as others were having the same experiences as we were, especially on
the sleighs. Very few ever reached the
bottom without being heaped into the downy snow.
The
rest of the day was spent shopping and going to the movies. After night mess we went to the vaudeville show
which was the best we’d seen since we’d been here. It consisted of a great many varieties of
songs about the “boys over here” and their dear sweethearts “over there.” One of the actresses sang two favorite ones,
“Somewhere a Voice is Calling,” and “Sunshine of my Smiles.” My, how the cold chills traveled down my
back.
Today
we are doing something for the ones who are most loved, you at home. We were late in getting them sent, but it
took us a long while to decide what we wanted to send, for I’m sure you never
forgot us back there. It is not very
much, but remember, it is the sender that is important, not the gift. We surely were two happy fellows, for we knew
we were working and doing so much for those we love so dearly.
Something
else we did today which will make you feel good: we had our pictures taken. I think they are
good. Mine is, especially, for Geo. just
kept me laughing. I am sending you one
of me, then one of Geo. and me, (3 altogether).
Do not criticize our clothing, for it is what we had when we left Camp
Mills, except leggings, cap, and shoes. We are not over here for fashion, you
know that. Then we mailed you 42 different postcards. I hope you will keep them
until I return, for I want to make a book of them.
Well
my dear sweetheart I’m afraid you will get tired reading this but I just wanted
to be with you so badly tonight. So I’m
missing the Vaudeville show, so you see how true I am. For I know your heart is longing for a letter
from your lover so far away. I do not know when we leave, but may God ever near
you is the loving wishes of your dearheart, Henry. Goodnight dear. X
X X X Oh,
how nice!
Corp.
Henry D. Call
Co.
A. 313th Engrs.
American
Ex. Forces A.P.O. 932
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