Somewhere in France
Dolph's Letter #29

Dear Sweetheart-

Seems like I'm not stopping just — moving around quite a bit — so have missed a day here + there — couldn't be helped, I'm sorry.

It's somewhat unbelievable but I have been in 5 countries so far: France — England — Luxembourg — Scotland + Belgium.

Spent an evening with a family in Givet, France. It was amazing. Went in + thought I'd try + get a little cognac — to see what it tasted like, but more to see the people. Well — no cognac, but they had beer — very very weak — sold it by the litre (little more than a quart). It was about 7 p.m. — I had eaten already, but their supper was still on the stove — wood burning — they spoiled us a meal — the other fellow + myself but we refused. There is a regulation prohibiting buying of any food, they have so little — but since could any one take anything from these people — they are so poor. Well they had potato soup, a sausage + potato, + bread ... they were glad to give to the family. The granddaughter Michel + a woman — a Parisian who probably was the sister of the child's mother who was dead. The kid's father was a prisoner — 5 years + still in Germany. Just my French Miss back but we got along.

Polite — all the kids are + she showed us a handkerchief she had made. Michel was 7 yrs. old — + two very kits do we knew of seven, who when they have to close — their wore at the table excuse themselves + avoid their faces! Well we shared with them 5 liters of bread + + a heck of a lot — cost us 45 francs (not even a ?) They were so polite about accepting the beer — refusing each offer + then graciously accepting. And they kept on requesting us to eat with them, if we had to refuse — smelled delicious — but they eventually ate themselves. The old man cutting off the loaf of bread for the family. And then we sat around chatting + the grandfather's opinion was that the "Boche Kaput" — 2 months he said — Into Sh'ea I'll!

After a while the child was washed + sent to bed, but not before Paul — the other fellow — tried to throw away the cigarette butts but was caught in time — the butts were collected + deposited in a container to be reused at a later date.

Before I forget — we were advised by a number of officers to send our good clothing home — can only be lost. So I put mine into a wooden box, nailed it + addressed it to you. I know it's more stuff for you to put away, but when I come home I am going immediately to where my honey is + then I shall put on my blouse. It will probably take some time getting to you — I addressed it to 619 Peachtree.

Shall close this letter + immediately continue with another — afraid of the weight. I love you dear — always + all ways.

Your devoted husband,
Dolph