File:Erica (Thorp) de Berry to Thorp family, 3 April 1918 (88d78796-af6f-4410-87b6-890e2e2435af).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1006/004.006.002-006#015

Colonie franco-américaine
Lacaune (Tarn)
April 3, 1918.
My dearest, dearest Family,
At last I can snatch a hasty moment to give you a hazy idea of my whereabouts and our sudden exodus with the children of Presles. All details must be left to a possible Sunday moment of repos.
Last Friday, M Jaccaci summoned me to the office to tell me that he had decided to evacuate Presles, because he did not think it right to subject the children and Sisters any longer to the strain of air raids and possible direct bombardment, [crossed out: when] (page 2) inasmuch as the Comité exists for the purpose of saving them from all that. Though Presles is now in the zone des armées, we had little fear of actually being forced to evacuate, the Allies continuing to hold as magnificently as they have, but it seemed just as well to get the children clear of it all in plenty of time, anyway, come what might. So that P.M. I rushed down to Presles, and we set about the task of “démenager,” [should be déménager] having to pack up everything in hand bundles as no baggage is being transported these days. By herculean efforts on the part of Mrs Hill, a special car for part of our journey was engaged (page 3) for Monday night, and so one and all laden to the gunwale with sacks and bundles, -- 70 of us – set forth at 7.30 from the Gare d’Austerlitz for Lacaune.
If you look on a map, you will see that it is in the wilds of the first ranges of the Pyrenees, a former “établissement thermal” which had been bought [??] by a French lady for the purpose of founding refuges for orphans, and refugees. Our comité had already arranged to cooperate with her in the maintenance of part of it, so as this place was at hand we were shipped there instanter [perhaps she meant instantly?], even tho’ it is at the other end of the earth from (page 4) Paris. I came along to pilot them and help get it started, and shall stay anyway for a month or two. To leave Paris at this time was like taking poison, ?? ?? but it was the only thing to do – and certainly there is an element of humor[?] in being sent by Fate “back to the mountains” again!
It is a most heavenly place, high up in the wilds, with snow-covered peaks, pine forests, waterfalls and springs everywhere, crystalline air and delicious sunshine. I imagine it must be very like Switzerland for it makes me think of Heidi and the “Al[?]-Uncle” at every moment. A more perfect Paradise for children never existed, and to see them (page 5) come up again in 24 hours after the weary journey and keep on gaining[?] steadily, does one’s heart good.
We are more or less settled in the ancient hotel of the établissement, and have school in a little chalet near by, but there is a lot to do before we are really installed and ready to receive perhaps a 100 other boys, and in a distant place like this things perforce can’t “marche très vite.” Labor is hard to get and prices awful. The mountain people simply don’t understand what war means, being as untouched by it as they are here, and are stingy and unsympathetic. But Mlle. de Rose, the patron saint of this “oeuvre”, she who started it all, is a regular general. (page 6) It is a perfect inspiration to know her, for she combines remarkable executive ability with the most extreme piety. She is an extraordinary person, a veritable saint who has given up her life to good works and has a “patronage” of hundreds of children all over France. Without her help, I don’t know how we’d ever get settled here, but with her things are humming in spite of all the difficulties.
I long to be able to write you every detail of everything, especially of those last days in Paris – the first days of the German advance, the bombardment and all. It seemed like several lifetimes crammed into one – But this must go now, as M. le Curé is coming to make us a welcoming call.
A heartful of love
from your Bun
[Written up the left side of the first page:]
Will you write me to Hattingwek[?] from now on, till my plans for the future take shape?
[Written down the left side of the last page:]
Your Easter cable was forwarded to me today and was I glad to get it

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