Letter No. 34 Allerey, France Feb. 9th, 1919
My dear Margaret,
I am sure you will be charmed to have this addressed to you. Saturday I received yours and mother's of Jan. 12th, Fan's of the 15th enclosing Bernette's, on from Mack, a card from uncle, and a letter from on his re-election. Today came yours of Jan. 19th, Alice's of the 21st, and May's of the 19th. The lake looks very natural and peaceful.
We have been having a touch of Minnesota winter weather as it is when the wind comes from Saskatchewan. Three days of rain last week made the camp a regular mud hole and I was about to be forced to drag my rubber boots out of my trunk as it was quite a jaunt to #19 to mess when the mercury began to fall and the wind to blow and for three days we shivered and shook-burned all our faces and froze our backs. A change for the better today and we are comfortable again.
So glad Charlie Stickney has been located. Clear Lake boys were very fortunate. Where is Ed Peterson or did he die of wounds?
Hope mother enjoyed her trip to Mpls. Was she there to attend Col. Law's reception? Lovely to have it so mild if it does not mean a colder Mat and June.
So, Clear Lake has drawn a Parson who proves entertaining occasionally. Has he taken this trip himself?
Celia Braun will be missed. What is her husband's name and business? Is Fred still Mayor? If so it will be up to him to enforce the dry law. I fancy there will be trouble if the whole country goes dry and the Supreme Court be called upon to say whether or not it is constitutional. What labor strikes they are now having in Seattle.
Well, Alice you seem to spend fairly pleasant weeks. Only two years more and you can change your occupation. What luck! I am not sure it will be fun buying a complete new outfit with prices as they are. One reason I would like to stay here a few months longer is to wear out my clothes as I'll have no use fro them in civil life. I fancy you coat, Frances, is "tres jolie" though I do not know what Bolivia cloth is-smooth or rough?
So glad to hear Mattie Henry is in Mpls. Mack is still at home and is not sure of her plans. Harold Knutson said he hoped to come over this spring.
I visited a French salvage station the other day and managed to get away with a dew souvenirs. The salvage parties are doing their work so well that those visiting the front usually return empty handed.
Attended service yesterday morning in the hut of Base 26. In the afternoon attended a memorial service in the nurses' Red Cross hut. Father Kelly made a pleasing address. It was followed by a band concert.
I have joined he dancing class formed last week to meet three times a week at 11:30 am in the nurses' Red Cross hut. Tea is served there now every afternoon instead of at the various units. The nurse are having a progressive 500 there this afternoon. If it had been bridge I might have gone.
Your letter to Washington in Sept. came on here with the information from Washington that they could find no record of my having made an allotment. The papers must have been lost. My service papers here show that the allotment has been taken out each month so I filled out a new form. Don't know just how soon you will receive it with all the back pay, but "tout de suite" I hope as some of you must be carrying my last liberty bond.
Alice mentioned hearing from John Skelland. I haven't heard since I wrote him in December that I could not go to England it not being a leave area at that time for the AEF.
So Chester Reid is a Lieut. Some of the nurses from here were transferred to the hospital at Laugres last week.
The men of Evac 19 go up to _reves in Germany this week. We thought we were going with them but alas there are sufficient numbers of nurses there and we remain here transferred to Base Hosp 97. Base 97 is the only hospital with patients-about 200 nurses and 400 patients. I am still occupying my room at #26 and hope to stay here until I leave Allerey. Suppose I will go on duty tomorrow for a few hours each day. I suppose I will be sent hither and yon. All the other nursing units have been broken up and also some of the men detached. The remaining remnants of five of them are awaiting traveling orders. I have given up hopes of getting into Germany.
Miss Stimson, the chief nurse of the AEF, spent a day in the Center and addressed us in the evening. She has a very pleasing personality. Col. Ford has returned from his jaunt.
So you butchered a pig. How good a little of the sausage would taste. Fried an egg the other day for a sandwich-the first I had had since in Nice. Eggs are about 8 francs ($1.50) a dozen. We get good enough mess so I do not spend money on food as so many of the girls do. Prefer to take a little jaunt somewhere if I can get the chance.
I hope uncle does take you on the trip somewhere. Doubt if this country is open to civilians for another year.
This transferring may cause some of my mail to go astray. I hope not as I have been getting it regularly.
Love to all, Jane.