Letter No. 16 Sat AM September 21st, 1918
My dear Margaret,
My little book reminds me that letter No. 15 was written Sept 8th. The days pass quickly. I intend writing every week and am sorry nearly two have elapsed. This as been a week of heavy mail. On the 16th received your letter of Aug. 15th and 18th also letters from Mack, Mae, Margaret Doerfler, Marion, and an unusually long epistle from Floss. Yesterday brought me those I thought I had lost and you last Aug 26th, so I must have them all. You are so good to write and I assure it is appreciated. Also letters from Mae, Mack, Bernette, Marion, and Elsie Newboldt who sent me copies of some of the snapshots we took in New York.
Had a letter recently from Mrs. Tunstall. She did not mention her son. Offered to send me apples but I will not accept them as fruit is scarce in England and we have lots of grapes here.
A copy of Life came from Margaret this morning. I think soon the Red Cross will be getting in more magazines then you may stop sending them.
Glad to hear Harry C has recovered. It must have been an expensive siege for him.
We see little or no poverty here in the country, mother, but I guess one does in Paris.
Strange you have not received my allotments. Of the girls I have spoken to all three have been received. Miss Gossman is investigating so you will get it in time. You would make me very happy if you would celebrate Oct 2nd with my Oct. allotment only the celebration will have to take place at a later date.
Came off duty at 9 AM for 4 hours. Have been reading your letters from July 24th on. They came so irregularly I get mixed a to when certain events took place. The steamer trunk with the sleeping bag folded three times makes a very comfortable chair and my knee a good desk. I hear a plane hovering over us, a not unusual sound. Believe there is a school of aviation not far away.
Your surmise as to where we were ordered to duty and stayed only one day was correct. Fan and I had passed through there four years ago as it is on the dire ct road from P to the place we spent a week.
How much did William get? My insurance will be due in only seven short years.
Mae spoke of Dr. Kern being punished. What had he said or done?
So Arthur Thomas is married. He has gone to a fine training school. I have patients, privates, who have trained there.
Received a patient yesterday whose home is near Princeton, a Scandinavian of course. We have had a number of Minnesota men. Wrote Charles D and Otto cards but they are no more likely to get them than letters from home.
I have all the clothing necessary. An order will be sent to the Red Cross in Paris later for anything needed. Have just purchased a very nice straw sailor from them for $7, only felts were issued to us in New York.
I have plenty of money and am trying to save 100 francs per month for the weeks vacation we get after six months service. I'll do better than that as we will not have many expenses now. Buying the necessary things for our room took quite a little.
That was a very good picture of Miss H. I wish nothing published nor even to be quoted.
Good for Arthur Bensen! I hope he becomes an American Ace.
You seem to have canned lots of vegetables. Did you buy new jars or find the masons could be used?
Had a letter from Sterling Williams. They are spending the summer with friends on the Lake of the Isles Blvd. and will move to the Leamington this fall. Expect he enters the U as he failed the Military Physical Exam. Underweight, broken arch, poor eyesight.
Alice the chef duties of a 'Searcher' are to find in a hospital or to get information from the soldiers' comrades of boys reported missing or unaccounted for.
You ask about hours off duty. We work from 7 to 7 with 4 hours off, but if work is slack we take longer and if it is necessary none. I like the work very much now I am becoming accustomed to military regulations. Some of the boys are badly wounded and others have slight wounds. They are all good chaps and not hard to nurse.
Fanny, your dress must be very pretty. Nothing but uniforms here and to dress up we put on white ones.
Do Marion and her sister live with you and where do you take your meals?
I hope Janet sends me the Kodak pictures you took. The view of the village from Alice adorns my wall.
Attended a military funeral the other day, a lieutenant of the Austrian army. He was given full military honors as befitted his rank, a very impressive service.
Last evening the nurses attended an entertainment given by the boys of the Convalescent Camp, singing, dancing, and several one act skits. It took us back to Broadway with its drop curtain, back curtains, foot lights and even colored lights. Tonight is the weekly dance in our mess hall.
I enclose a snapshot of Joe, our chef, and the best friend. He is such a good cook. Doesn't he look it? Do you like you war bread? We have white but I quite like the dark bread the French use. Glad the corn crop is assured. How high everything is with you.
The facilities at Nebish were luxurious compared to ours on the Italian train.
Margaret D sent me Madeline's address and I have just written her a card.
Have started French lessons again from on of the interpreters here but am not taking them regularly.
Most of our men have had a day or two in an Evacuation hospital and come to us in hospital clothes. Then they go through a receiving ward and bath house here before entering our ward so I seldom see the state of their clothing. Boys here last winter say they lacked socks so you can imagine how great will be the demand this winter.
Sunday
Imagine our surprise this morning when three St. Barnabas nurses Miss Stevens, Manchester, and Paulson walked in. They arrived last evening, learned Unit 26 was here so came over the first thing this morning. They are about a block from us. Had a pleasant and uneventful trip over. All have been in camps at home for nearly a year. Miss Stevens you remember was Supt of the hospital at Hastings up to last January. Two Eitel nurses we know are with them also but I have not seen them.
A YWCA worker arrived last evening. We are to meet her this evening. Her work is to be among the nurses. I suppose we will learn this evening just what. Two more Red Cross workers have arrived in camp.
Attended service at ten A.M.. They were held in the hut for the first time ad well attended by the boys.
We are having another rainy spell and the nights are so cold. France is lovely when it is sunny and when it is not I prefer the snow of Minnesota.
I must now go on duty. Am sending you the Stars and Stripes occasionally. Do you enjoy it?
Love to all, Jane.
Received in CL Oct. 23rd