Letter No. 6 France Wednesday July 10th, 1918
My dear Family,
Mail from the USA this morning. For me Alice's of the 15th and Margaret's of the 12th, also Uncle's of the 19th. The latter had received the card announcing our safe arrival over seas. You would, I believe, hear it in the Tribune of the 17th or 18th as I hear Dr. Law cabled. Alice, your letter was written about the time we were steaming into Liverpool.
I wonder if Otto was in our convoy. Too bad Herbert did not enlist with him. It may turn out favorably.
Glad you were getting Mother off for a visit as I know she will thoroughly enjoy herself. Sorry I was not there to take a hand in the painting and hope the milk room was not slighted.
After seeing how well Ben does with his 9 hens in Philadelphia I believe city peoples are wise to keep a few. Mrs. H undoubtedly will have enough for her small family.
Gooseberry pie recalls pleasant memories. We have apple pie occasionally.
You must have had a pleasant day in Santiago. Where was the meeting held? In a grove near the school? You did not mention seeing Jack and Nellie Fox?
I'll write to Alfred today. No, you letters are not censored.
We are doing nothing as yet the hospital not being completed. The two groups of nurses who left us are working hard, one being within sound of the guns. Wish I had been fortunate enough to have gotten in with them. I suppose when we do get busy it will be steady work. We are very tired of over three months of idleness.
Our quarters here are very pleasant, our grounds a former big clover field and heavy clay. It rained all yesterday and last night. I quite understand why they furnished us with rubber boots! The rain was needed as it was terribly duty. It may not have been the best however for he overripe grain that is still standing.
Commenced taking French lessons Monday evening from the wife of the school master. They both teach day school and from the number of French classes they have started their days must be full. Miss Carlson and I have three hours a week Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30, which will cost me about 81 cents a week. Thought it well to try to learn French while not busy. I believe she is a good instructor.
Walked about five miles last night after supper in rubber coat and so'wester.
I hope Herald is returned to Congress. For his first term I think he has done as well as anyone else. Ben has finished his training ere this. I hope he secured his commission. So another good man, John Mitchell, has met his death in a fall from an airplane. Do you know if Arthur Bensen has taken part in the past fall fighting in Italy?
I hope after payday to rent a bicycle and ride it to a good sized town ten miles from here. Haven't you received the June installment of my salary? My letters now will be very uninteresting. Walking and French is about all there is to write about.
Sunday forenoon Miss C and I walked about ten miles to a little village keeping to the highway going and coming home across meadows and fields. Everybody busy in the hay field and it looks like a heavy crop. Some villages are only clusters of unattractive farmhouses while others have church and small shops. The sun is out so by tomorrow the roads will be dry enough for a walk in the opposite direction. I am still working on the sweater I started in New York and hope to finish it this week.
Frances, I hope you are enjoying this week. Is it the same group of girls? Who takes Marion's place?
Miss Newboldt is in the White Mtns. For two weeks with relatives and Koko has gone there for July. Uncle has made no plans not knowing where Ben will be.
I wrote Sarah Ann from (censored) but have not heard from her. Let me know when the Doerfler boys come over and what they are in. From Uncle's letter Joe Mosser must be about 150 miles southeast of us.
There is a Chateau in the village occupied by countess whose husband was taken prisoner in Germany, but is now in a camp in Switzerland. Col. Ford and Major Law have rooms in the Chateau. Believe the Countess had four children and has adopted 7.
I hope next weeks mail brings me two letters from home. If you find farm news scarce invent some.
Love to all, Jane.
Received in Clear Lake Aug. 5th.