Letter No. 29 December 31st, 1918
My dear Family,
Received in today's mail a Christmas card from Minnie Paterson, head of the visiting nurses in Minneapolis and a breezy epistle from Clara Thomas. Very much likely your will come tomorrow. Well, I really have nothing to write and am not much good inventing.
Went back to work on Sunday after a week off duty and am in a ward where there are only two bed patients so you see I am not working very hard, Trains are coming in now taking the boys rapidly. I only hope I get my furlough before we break up. Hope to go the last of the week but have my doubts. Am writing this on duty, only 3 p.m. and nothing to do.
The last day of the old year. How time flies! The officers are giving a dance tonight with a midnight supper. I may go as I believe cards are to be played also as a number of both officers and nurses do not dance.
Some more nurses have arrived in camp who were at Fort Snelling when the Armistice was signed.
Nina Cater is in Toul doing canteen work and sent me a note by Miss Davis, Miss Gosman's private secretary, who was visiting her sister.
She wants me t come up and I will if I can get a pass after I return from Nice. Miss Davis met Dr Beebe's son while there.
Attended church twice on Sunday for a change and was given a very pretty silver cross which the Episcopal church is giving to its members over here.
Made some divinity this morning. We can now get hold of sugar etc occasionally.
The German prisoners in one of the wards wrote a very nice note to the Red Cross thanking them for the Christmas presents and said they would never forget the kind and gentle treatment they had received here and would tell their people at home etc. and hoped the Germans and Americans would be good friends again as of yore etc. The paper was decorated with the two flags and clasped hands.
I hear the flu is raging in Minneapolis again and that the schools are closed. It must be due to the lack of doctors and nurses! Do be careful not to get it.
Did you see the view of one of our streets in the Minneapolis Journal? The second ward to the right is B where I have worked most of the time and the red Cross hut is to the left. Doesn't it look attractive?! We have been having considerable rain and you should see the black gue in the streets now and we have the best in camp.
Have just been over to the barracks to tea and found a card from John Skelland of December 20th. It takes such a long time for mail between here and England. The Wilsons must be having a grand time.
The patients' suppers are coming in. I'd like to be sitting down with you this evening.
James Brooks went to Nice Sunday on Furlough. A happy New Year to each of you.
Affectionately, Jane.