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My Dearest Mother:-
You no doubt think by this time that I am forgetting about you or at least
becoming negligible of my correspondence. Such is not the case however,
and I am only too sorry that I cannot keep in touch with all of you more
often. If you could see how we are fixed at times you could appreciate how
hard it is to write letters. At times, such as the past two weeks, when we
are hiking and train riding alternately, we don't have a place to mail a
letter after it is written. Consequently this is the first one I have
ascribed in that time. I think of you often and love you more as the
length of my sojourn increases. We are in an entirely different section of
this republic now and not far from the capitol. It is a beautiful country
and the climate could not be made to order any better. I am in the very
best of condition and have performed feats in marching and carrying a
heavy pack that I never thot myself capable of doing. I am no more of a
fat man than I ever was, but am hard as steel in every muscle and in
excellent condition allover. Not long ago we were billeted at a farm that
I would have given a great deal for dad to see. It is a beautiful level
piece of ground covering a large expanse and planted with wheat, barley
and all such. The buildings were immense and in the barns were eight yoke
of fine white oxen. The first I ever saw. Besides these was a team of
black stallions. Jet black! Five Arabian driving and riding horses and a
harness room that looked like a jewelry store. I could have lived there.
This farmer also had nine daughters each one of which had ninety suitors
after we landed. We are at another place now and at one time from
appearances it had S. B. Cochran's faded a mile. You can imagine my utter
surprise when the postman handed me a letter the other night mailed here
in France. I thot at first it was from Gibson, then from Albert and could
hardly realize the truth when I found Ben's name at the end. We thot we
had made time getting over, but he holds the record. Little did he or I
think when we left home that the world’s war would be fought and won
before we saw you again. I know I didn't. I do believe tho that that
manner of leaving is the best because the fellows claim it is much harder
to leave home from a furlough. He seems in good spirits and is with a good
outfit and then it won't be long before we are all together again. I'm
sure. In fact when dad is puffing and tearing at that bird on Xmas I
expect to be in my accustomed place opposite him. Gibson wrote to me here
and is tickled to death that we are all over. He is about due for a
furlough and is coming to see us. Hump is quartered a short distance from
here and we see each other about once a week. If I could only tell you of
some of the sights we see, daily, it would be easy to fill the sheets, but
all I can say is that some of the incidents are exciting enough to please
the most adventurous. Hump is in good shape but has to work very hard. I
stood the hike fine altho it was sure bad for fellows who had poor feet.
Mine are fine. Not even a blister. I still have four pair of those Red
Cross socks and wear them all the time. (That is, a pair at a time). Just
as soon as I can get more time I will finish this and you can tell
everyone to keep writing because I'll not forget to answer when the
opportunity comes. I am sending all my love.
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