Hg Co

                                                            1166 Eng Gp

                                                            Camp Swift, Texas

 

Dear mother,

           

            The last few days have been very rushed. We are taking various tests to prove that we are fit to be soldiers. Such affairs don’t leave much time to write on anything else. Before I finish this letter, I may have to start out again. Tonight we are going to pitch puppy tents out with the wild animals. Oh well I am going to be careful lest I get some poison ivy. Really after all these months I figure that I may be immuned to the blame stuff- could be.

            This last week may not have been extra as for letters are concerned but the packages made up for the letters. First off Lilian sent me 2 pounds of macroons. The nest day Miss Doyle sent me 2 pounds of chocolates. The third day Miss Boyle sent me 2 pounds of peanut brittle. The 4th day the little Smith girl send 2 pounds of home made Toll House cookies. My only regret is that we have to get rid of such things at once because as soon as the package is opened the ants and various bugs hit the food. I don’t suppose that ants live to well in one’s stomach but then one never knows.

            We got paid yesterday. Out of that $ 59.40 I put $ 50 away in the local bank that is enough money for the train fare next month the pay should go towards incidentals for the forth coming furlough. I may stand a pay in December but I rather doubt it. That letter in answer to my doubts was indeed good. You recall that I keep certain memoriable letters with me. Well---.

            Yesterday my first issue of the Harvard alumni news arrived. I had quite a time looking over it. I saw several items of news. When I looked at the figure of 23,000 in the service, I was indeed amazed about 1/3 of the living graduates. There may be some Harvard people in this area but I’ll be darned if I can find them.

Comes Saturday I am going north to Ranger again. About Tuesday I had totally recovered from 530 miles and 3 hours of sleep. My morale is still high after that little deal. After the 3 day pass in Houston left my morale high for 2 weeks. Well it is the same sort of business here. I may get a 3 day pass before the month is done. I might be able to get you some more Spode.

            The last 3 days we have been able to hear the world series. It has been 2 years since I have heard the series.

 

                                                            Love,

                                                            John