The Holly Monday 5 pm May 13th 1918
My dear Mother
This letter should have been written yesterday but it was such a busy day for me I could not get it in as you will see. Four days without a letter you will think that I have gone, but not yet. I wrote you Wednesday evening. Nothing much happened Thursday excepting the afternoon we went out to Central Park hoping to get in a little military drill, but attracted so much attention we soon gave it up. I walked home as usual.
Friday PM met Floss at Penn railroad station and she went with me to the McAlpine hotel where we drilled until nearly five. Had a nice young man who know his business so quite enjoyed it. I met Floss at the Manhattan hotel 42 and Madison Ave. soon after five. We couldn't get a seat on the bus going to Riverside Drive so got on one going down to Washington Square and then back up to 5th Ave to Riverside and 86th St where Betty Schroeder lives. Floss was spending the night with her. I hurries across to come home on the elevated but got caught in a terrific rainstorm and in spite of my umbrella got a good soaking. Floss left at 8:30 Saturday morning for Boston where Ben met her. She leaves there next Sunday night. Ben is working very hard and is afraid he eyes might fail him. He is taking ground aviation and of course hopes to get a commission-it is a 10 weeks course I think-and be stationed near Philadelphia.
Saturday morning I spent [pressing and in the afternoon went up 5th Ave to do a bit of shopping but found the streets jammed as a big police parade was on. Next Saturday everyone will be out to see US!!
Got up at 5 AM Sunday and took the 6 AM local, which reached Ardmore at 9:15. Uncle was at the station. It is a ten-minute walk to the house. Breakfast was ready in a few minutes-fresh strawberries, cornflakes, fried mackerel and bacon, toast and coffee. We washed up and went out for an hours walk. Ardmore is a beautiful suburb, so many beautiful home and estates. Foliage so luxuriant, pink and white dogwood in profusion and just coming out. Lilacs, bridal breath, and snowball all out. Uncle has a very pretty home on a slight side hill. It was so warm there yesterday that Philadelphia must e unbearable in the summer.
The house is cool being of stone and cement. It is well arranged except the kitchen. A pretty light dining room with mahogany furniture. A baby grand in the living room.
After our walk we read the paper, had a lunch of cheese, crackers and jelly cake, then went out over to be introduced to their nearest neighbors who were on the porch, The man gave us a very interesting letter to read from his brother who sailed from Halifax in the same convoy as the Tuscania when she sank. He was in Halifax during the disaster, just escaped being killed by a falling beam himself.
The Carrs with whim Uncle and Floss go motoring so frequently called up asking us to motor with them to Valley Forge fie miles away. It was a beautiful drive through more suburbs and then rolling country. Valley Forge is now a park with a few Revolutionary graves. Many of the embankments can still be seen. A beautiful Memorial Arch has been erected and a beautiful chapel with cloisters is being built. There are replicas of log cabins occupied by the soldiers and Washington's headquarters. The Brandy wine and Schuylkill flow around the base of the hill.
We got home at five and put on the dinner-shoulder of mutton, fresh asparagus, mint jelly, lettuce salad with cheese, baked custard and a little war cake which I took Uncle for his birthday cake. I couldn't find frosted cake o any kind-they are all special orders, but the war cake proved rich and good.
Left Ardmore at 7:10 Uncle going with me to Broad St. Station in Philadelphia where I got the 8 o'clock express and reached NY at 10:30-fifteen minutes late, and was home by eleven. Thus ended a very pleasant day.
My vaccination did not take so it will be repeated. We went to the armory on 33rd and 4th Ave this morning for drill and our company did miserably as a no account sergeant was our drillmaster. We are to drill twice a day the rest of the week.
It is very warm and humid this morning but cleared up this afternoon. Have been in all afternoon as our equipment has arrived !! and such a time we have had going through it. Each nurse's was separate. My uniform fits well but the hat is not becoming. The list follows,
1 travel uniform-dark blue serge
1 luster- dark blue like suit
2 white waists-mercerized cotton
1 blue flannel waist
1 rain coat
1 poncho-slips over head
1 so'wester
1 woolen sleeping bag
1 steamer rug
6 pr. Cotton stockings
6 pr wool "
3 pr outing flannel pajamas
2 pr. Tights- black
1 grey sweater
4 grey crepe uniforms
6 white butcher aprons
3 white caps with red cross above the forehead
3 woolen union suits
1 dozen white muslin collar and cuff sets for the grey uniform
1 blanket roll-a handy canvas affair with pockets
1 blue felt hat
Caduceii with letters, extra buttons, sleeve buttons, hat pins
The job of making them is before me, then repacking my trunk. I'll get my civilian clothes off this week in the card boxes our suits come in. We don our army uniforms tomorrow!
Mrs. Briggs, a member of our Alumnae of whom we are especially fond, came yesterday from the Convention of Nurses held in Cleveland last week. She will stay until Wednesday.
A far very well in the mail line. Received letters this week from mother, Margaret, Dr, Kennedy, Mrs. Hodgens, and Mrs. Whitelaw.
Uncle was given a big box of candy for his birthday-preserved ginger, dripped nuts, and candied cherries. What we didn't eat yesterday I brought back with me. His nine little hens lay remarkably well, Seven eggs yesterday. Uncle is very handy about the house. Wish I might have spent the week with him.
It is reported that Joe's unit landed in England. If so they must have gone right through to France as it is reported that a man in their unit died of diphtheria in France.
Must now write a line to Uncle and then do a little pressing if I am to don my uniform in the morning. This will be a busier week for us with drill twice a day.
Love to all, Jane.