Letter No. 27 Allerey, France December 14th, 1918
My dear Margaret,
Since in the pile of letters in from of me you lead I think you deserve having this one addressed to you. November 12, 16, 21, and 25 the last arriving today also one from Alice, Mae, Mrs. Hurd and Marion. Heard from Alice and Fan the first of the week so you see I have fared well. My difficulty is getting them answered as I got so far behind when we were busy. Am writing English letters this week. Heard from Jack a few days ago. He was not called up for examination.
Yours of the 12th was particularly breezy so I knew how elated you were over 'Der Tag.' Have seen Minneapolis papers with accounts of the celebrations. I would say you were all dippy! Didn't suppose Clear Lake could stage such an impromptu parade. It must have been due to the enterprising mayor. The Kaiser died several thousand times before his death. I am anxious to learn what they are to do with him.
Haven't seen a paper now for two days. When anything exciting is happening they always fail to arrive. The nurses who went to Beaume in the ambulance this afternoon say the city is decked with flags and at three o'clock all the bells rang. Guess that was the hour of the Presidents arrival in Paris.
Several of the girls returned today from a week on the Riviera. Don't believe there will be anymore going until after Christmas. Hope to have mine early in the New year-Nice, Cannes, Mentone, Monte Carlo, and Paris. How does that sound to you, Margaret? Of course all leaves may be cancelled any time and we may receive orders to pack. It is reported our C O is very anxious, he says, to get back to Minneapolis.
We are looking forward to the 'Mile of Smiles' St Barnabas faculty are in it. Amused by the comments made by members of the audience at the Lyric.
Had a card from Miss Dunlop telling of her brother's death. In a letter a month previous she told of his having been decorated wit the Military Cross. Two of our nurses ran across her in Paris last week. She had been in La Havre seeing her brother off to Japan. He has been a missionary there for years and during the war had charge of coolie laborers here. The unit she is with has been detached from us and has gone into Germany. Never got over my disappointment of not going with them from Blois. They have had excited experiences.
So Crick De Booy is in Panama. Do you hear anything of the Tusler lads or Philip White? So John Dingman is near me? I wonder where. Or letters still go through the censors hands.
I agree with William it is a strenuous job and our doctors found it so when we were so busy.
So Beatrice is to be married and undoubtedly will be happy. Hope Fan is OK again. Mother, don't you get the grippe this winter.
Have had rain for several days but today was fair. We were presented with rubbers the other day by the Red Cross much to my delight as mine had mysteriously disappeared a week or two previously.
Made a batch of Divinity the other night, the first candy I have made in years. Now the war is over we can be a little extravagant. We are to have one thousand pounds of sugar to make candy for Christmas. The boys will certainly appreciate is as the weekly allotment of candy of which we read in the Stars and Stripes has never reached us here and they have had none except an occasional bar of chocolate from the Red Cross. The three-pound boxes are beginning to arrive. Do not know just what we are to d Christmas but suppose we will have jollifications of some kind and something in each ward.
Our patients are leaving us slowly, only 83 in my ward and tent now and only six of them confined to the bed.
I worked in every ward in Base 26 while on night duty and all my day work has been in B, a surgical ward.
Had five hours off duty today from 9 to 2 and did a family wash, woolen underwear, sweaters, etc. I send to the laundress only those things that have to be ironed as she has so much and I am expecting each week to be informed she will do no more.
I received the Christmas cards, Alice, and will give them to the sick boys in my ward. How cunning little Oliver looks, Frances. Why are you moving? Did Mrs. S find the house in such shape when she returned that she bounced you!! Hope your new rooms are as pleasant.
Alice, you seem to be having a pleasant year. I know David would regret not having gotten into it. Miss Dundas is with Miss Dunlop.
Had a letter from Mrs. Hayden, a patient of Dr. Doxey's, whom I nursed when she had her tonsils out. I had sent her a card from Blois.
Fan, I do not understand why they should be sending Miss Byrne or anyone else over when they are sending patients home as quickly as they can get them. Unit 26 will be surprised if it is not out of here by February 1st. The hospital at Dijon is ordered home. It occupied French school buildings and has been over here 1 ½ years.
On Monday the 16th we may don our service stripe! Sorry it is only one I am entitled to wear instead of three.
Believe you have another birthday on the 17th. William, many happy returns.
This is an awful scrawl per usual. Have had considerable company this evening.
Mother, with eggs such a price cannot you get a little horse meat fro the hens?
I am contemplating attending church services in the enlisted men's mess hall tomorrow for the first time in several months.
Affectionately, Jane.
Received in Clear Lake January 29th, 1919.