vite more."

Mine was the rare good fortune of being assigned to No. 10 Rue de
Belgrade. Here, through many generations, had stood the house of
Barnicault. Michel Barnicault, present head of the family, welcomed me
most cordially. He felt it indeed an honor to have as his guest Monsieur
le Chaplain, Americaine Soldat! In the evening he would sit in front of
his venerable home, smoking his pipe and looking with pride at my
Chaplain flag of blue and white that hung above the door.

Petit garcon Andree, aged six years, had always considered his
Grandfather Michel the greatest man in the world; then I came into his
life; and whether it was I, or the American bon bons I lavished on him,
or the overseas chapeau I let him strut about in now and then, I
completely won his little heart. Darling little Andree in far off
Ancey-le-Franc, now eight going on nine, I salute you!

Monseigneur le Cure of the village church welcomed me cordially. Daily I
said Mass on the altar of St. Anne.

As we might go into the front trenches now any day, the Chaplains'
ministerial work grew apace. "Be ye always ready you know not the day
nor the hour." Father Martin was with the 56th Infantry at Molsme;
Father Trainor with the Machine Gunners at Ceneboy-le-Bas; and I, with
all other Divisional Units, with Headquarters at Ancey-le-Franc. Three
priests among 32,000 men, 48 per cent of whom were Catholic. The other
Chaplains were distributed: Chaplain Cohee, Christian, with the 34th
Infantry. (Mr. Cohee won the Distinguished Service Medal for gallantry
under fire at Vieville-en-Haye.) Chaplain Hockman, Lutheran, 55th
Infantry. Chaplain Webster, Episcopalian, 7th Engineers. Chaplain Rixey,
Methodist, 64th Infantry. Chaplain Evans, Baptist, Sanitary Trains.

At this time we gave an old-fashioned Mission in the village church. A
choir was organized from the Headquarters Troop, and each evening we
would have Rosary, Sermon and Benediction. A special memorandum, signed
by Colonel Degan, setting forth the purpose and advantages of the
Mission, was posted throughout the District. The villagers likewise
attended and the church was always filled. At this time, casting all
fear aside, I boldly plunged into my first public speaking in French! I
felt that grand-pere Barnicault and petit Andree would at least be on my
side in case of a riot. Much to my delight the populace greeted my
attempt approvingly and showered me with compliments.

On Sundays I would say