James E. Henschel letter to Sister - July 5, 1918
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le 5th of July 1918 - Dear Sis - This paper seems just about made to write letters to sisters and so reminded me that I had not written to you for some months. Also that I had not heard from you for more; don't you think that you have deserted me pretty shabbily? How did school come out this
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year? Of course you like high school - everyone does, more or less - but every one can't be a shining star. That's why I shall be mighty pleased to hear in my next letter how fine your grades were this last year. Great guns - Elizabeth a sophomore next year! It hardly seems possible. By the time that I get home this time you will certainly be a big girl. I am much afraid that you will have found me out by then and not favour me with any more chances.
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You must wind up the Victrola and play a tune for me - one my favorites. Say - the Lament - on my old friend Bill Baker. I bought him you know a little for you and a lot for me - because I liked the old fellow immensely. There are others that I would like to hear this evening too. I am going to school again myself - and I'll lay you a chocolate sundae with malted milk on it that I'm studying and working harder than you did this past
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year. We certainly have our hands full to keep up. If I ever fell a day behind it would certainly be mighty hard ever to catch up again. But thats the way with most things - isn't it? Our studies are all of a sort that wouldn't interest you - such things as motor cars and physics and armies. All of them are pretty hard to understand. In a month, I'll be back at work Yesterday was the fourth again, but I have written most of all that occurred to Mother. You must
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take her letter to find out all that we did. There was just one thing that I saved for you. I went down town (our home is not very large - but there is a down town all the same). The French people here celebrated the holiday the same as the Americans and were all out in gala clothes. Everyone had a smile for an American and
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it made us feel quite as though we were at home. While on my way back to camp. I heard a rather timid "Bon jour, monsieur" at my elbow - and there were too little girls all dressed up for the day - their faces shining. Of course I about faced at once and we all walked hand in hand back down the street. They were dears - and we had quite a conversation, in spite of the fact that I can't speak very much French and they confessed that they just started to learn English a week ago, but
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said they would learn to speak it soon. Little girls are much alike every where - so pretty soon we found a place where chocolate and apricots could be had. I found out that they were going to our camp where "big doings" were on and we walked out together, they having a hard time keeping up, but pleased as punch. I turned them over to "Madame Mama" at the gate, and the older one who had been quiet most of the time thanked me very prettily and said "Good-night".
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I don't know who enjoyed the walk most - and after all - good-night is as good as good-by when one doesn't know the difference. It is getting so dark that I can hardly see what I am writing. Please write me - and tell Mary and Berthold that I don't think them nice at all. Lots of love - sister - and a big hug and un gros baiser - Ned.
Details
| Title | James E. Henschel letter to Sister - July 5, 1918 |
| Creator | Henschel, James E. |
| Source | Henschel, James E. Letter to Sister. 5 July 1918. James Edward Henschel Collection, 1917-1919. 1996.51. The National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri. |
| Description | In this letter dated July 5, 1918, Henschel wrote his sister asking of her high school experiences. Henschel also briefly discussed the Independence Day celebrations that took place the day before. |
| Subject LCSH | American Field Service; Missouri. National Guard; United States. Army. Motor Transport Corps; Independence Day (U.S.) |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | 1996.51 |
| Contributing Institution | National World War I Museum and Memorial |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the National World War I Museum and Memorial: (816) 888-8100. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | July 5, 1918 |
| Language | English |