George J. Maguolo letter to Mother - March 14, 1919
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Letter #74 March 14, 1919 - Bellevue - Paris Dear Mother – Perhaps you think me strange for writing so soon again but I cannot help myself for there is so much wich will be of interest to you. Yesterday was a memorial day in my calendar. Surely a discharge from the Army cannot impress me much more. After leaving the Pavillion Hotel where I spent a restful night together with a jolly gang of blue - jacks. I decided to call upon my mariaine Mme Deladiere’ of whom you have heard me mention quite often. It was a most beautiful day and Paris looked its gayest. I felt like a cork which was tied down in a volume of water – and having been released rises rapidly to the surface to a normal state of buoyancy! A very close simile
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[page 2] I feel for the suppressed state of mind I endured while in the army. Oh! the sweetness of freedom. the subway brought me within a few blocks of the boulevard upon which she lives. And there I noticed the district was one of the finest – Swell apartment houses towering on each side of the street. Yes the numbers run similar to ours the odds on one side and even on the other. At 209 I was soon surrounded by a creamy marble vestibule inquiring of the concierge (janitor) for the no. of the Madame’s suite. Presto! I found myself in an automatic elevator going for the 5th floor. the ride was just a continuation of the change that was taking place nz: mud to the sublime. A neatly dressed maid meets me and upon learning my mission
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[page 3] seats me in one of the swellest rooms I have ever seen! the fine grass rug was an extreme novelty and the fine large mirrors & tapestries on the wall made me fairly stone! Would I wait for the madame? I pinched myself several times with a half fear that I should wake up and find myself in the hay somewhere – late for reville or something, but no . . . . . . the door opened and voila ! there she stood the lady whom I met in Toulouse – the lady who sent me sweets during my long seige in the hospitals where sweets were none! - looking better even than the picture she later sent me. You know the universal French method of salutation. If I had sufficient vocabulary I would try and describe her dress but you know thats beyond me!
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[page 4] So there we had a chat over some hot chocolate served by another maid. And I admit – that the napkin that was given me seemed very strange. I was comfortably seated in a big satin upholestered arm chair – and she on a dainty seatee. A tall floor lamp threw a soft glow of light. - But whats the use to try and explain? the fact is that I felt so good I could hardly stand it! Just 15 hours before I was a member of a long chow line wading through the mud and waiting in the rain for some slum! She insisted that I remain for dinner and as it was but 10 AM we decided to take a walk through Le Bois de Bologne (a lovely Park). She wore a wonderful fur coat which drew considerable attention – and apologized that she had allowed the chaufer the
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[page 5] day off! think of it. And me a buck corporal [msillegible: 1 wd] walks always. there were some fine things to see in the park – statuary and garden pavillions. Also many fine people some on horse back. then a dinner – the like of which I have seen few. You know the kind – with more tools than you can possibly use. Far too many for a poor buck what lost his fork spoon and knife. the meal was indeed good but then . . . She had an offer or suggestion to make. the Mme showed me through the suite of rooms which were most elaborately furnished possibly 10 in all and then stops at one containing a dazzling (double), feather bed. this was to be Herbert’s and my future home, she said, or so long as
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[page 6] we remained at or near Paris! Boy! You could had tripped me with a feather. Who in never mind was I to get any thing like that wished on me – when during the morning I heard her have the maids tell an inquiring Colonel that she did not care to rent out any of her suite! And didn’t the concierge tell me that a French general lived on the 2nd floor! Words simply failed me. to be frank with you - I did not know wether or not the school at Bellevue was going to allow us to billet out. So I bowed and scrapped and thanked her in all the ways I knew! things were happening too fast for my slovenly army mind. The honor was plainly mine. In the course of the afternoon
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[page 7] I learnt more of the vintage concern her husband controlled, and since his death has been left to her. they have several large establishments in germany it seems which have been a dead loss during the period of the war. She also showed me a large Cinema (Movie) which she expects to buy up. So after the afternoon tea which she had acquired from the English we went to the station from which I was to leave for Bellevue (just outside of Paris). So there I left her with promises of an early return. to the checking room I went for my pack and barrack bag – but alas! the pack was gone! a strange pack was given me which was hardly fair exchange for mine was brand new! And the shoes were missing.
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[page 8] Later I found several other things gone among which was a good book – Apollo “Arch. of Northern Italy” and the comfort kit Nell had made me. I regreted very much to lose it. even though the toilet articles I managed to save – because the flap had some 15 buttons of every different nationality from Russian – to Chino-French Colonial which I expected to give her as a souvenier upon my return. But you see its all in the life of a soldier. this makes the 5th time I change equipments! to make matters worse, the packs I got in exchange contained a fine german “got mit uns” belt which was stolen from my bed upon arrival at Bellevue! But to go on with the sunny side. . . .
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[page 9] After a half hours ride I reached Bellevue which holds the same relation to Paris as Webster Groves does to St. Louis. Similar Suburban trains run to and fro. And there I saw my future home. Located upon a bit of high land commanding a splendid view of Paris is located the beautiful Palace – hotel for a while a Red Cross hospital and now our art school! Inclosed are two cards. One shows the rear elevation (Unfortunately I cannot get the view of the very nice facade).the other is the view of Paris as seen from the balcony. I seem to be among the first arrivals – especially as an enlisted man there being some 18 or so officers already here.
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[page 10] A fine room has been given to me on the 2nd floor – French windows – private [ms illegible: 1 wd] & running water a mirrored wardrobe – glass top table steam heat, electric light on everything. Really I don’t yet fully realize where I am for the transition from barn to residence is too sudden! this morning I was issued a complete set of drawing materials and a schedule for classes made out. We are to use our nearly dead brains again. And I am waiting for Herbert who is due here in a day or two and we are to bunk together in this room. I have procured a couple of French cots. It really seems impossible that we two should room together again like old days at Washington [University]! Au revoir George Maguolo.
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I am now - [Corporal] George Maguolo Pavilion de Bellevue Bellevue (Seine et Oise) A.P.O. 702 P.S. It is very likely that we remain here until June – with possible week end passes to Paris in which place there is no doubt where I shall stay! Don’t you envy me now! [George Maguolo]
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Mother - March 14, 1919 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Mother. 14 March 1919. George J. Maguolo Papers, 1917-1945. A0969. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | George J. Maguolo wrote a letter to his mother March 14, 1919 while in France. Maguolo was in the 29th Engineers Company A and served in France until 1919. In this letter Maguolo described a visit to Paris in which he spent time with his Marianne (adoptive Mother) who lived there. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918--Study and Teaching |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Site Accession Number | A0969 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| 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. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | March 14, 1919 |
| Language | English |