Mrs. G. H. Lockard
Mulberry Street
Scottdale, Penna
 

My Dear Mother;-

First thing I will give you a report on my health and habits. Both still are very good. Yesterday the joy was again put into our life, when the first mail came in. I received two from Grace and one from you the first call. Then today, another from you containing the picture and money you sent to Hancock. Thank You! Your mention of candy and cake set my mouth to watering because candy is surely scarce here. In fact there isn't any. Also smokes are nix. I hope the box of sweets may show up yet. I have to admit that I have been neglectful about my mail lately but there are reasons. You'll be hearing from me more often from now on. The country around here is most beautiful but the only drawback is the chief diversion is admiring the scenery. Your letters were surely a welcome sight. Nothing here to read at all. I've seen a paper here twice in the last month. We beat Tannehill and the rest across by about ten days. The were on the way just twice as long and from their stories we were indeed lucky as to accomodations on the way over. It was surely a shock to read about Graft. I surely did know him. Worked "deadman's turn" with him, you know. He was a good fellow! The fellow who bunks with me is from Conshockton and lived near Dad's old friend Jack Drummond. He knows them all. I know exactly where Ben is at Lee. About two barracks from where we were quartered. If I could write to you about the things we encounter each day it would be easy to fill the page. We are under strict censorship and you will have to be patient for a while, Mother Dear. You know that I am all OK and altho I am not fat by any means I never felt better. Sorry you didn't get down to see me in N.Y. but things moved swiftly around there for a few days. Well anyway I'm here and happy and when it's all over I'll pull in on the evening train some night and then you'll see a guy who can look on home and everything around home in a new light. I guess you are enjoying good weather there now. Our climate is about the same. Now Mother if you don't hear you know that I think of you all every day and only hope that things will go smooth until I come back. If I get that box I'll move my birthday up and celebrate when it arrives. Hump is still here and feeling fine. Until the next letter I'll send you all my love

 

Your loving son
Walter

P.S. Write often. #1,8509,71