Camp Devens, Mass,
Thursday Noon,

Dear Brother:-

I am going to start this letter at noon while I have a few minutes, as we are now busy every day until six forty-five every evening, and the evenings are so inviting out now that I like to beat it out somewhere.

It is now evening and I am waiting for retreat so will go on with my letter. I was sorry that I wrote such a poor letter last week, but I certainly was feeling mighty punk. I have tried to get back to Company E, but guess I can't now anyway. I shall try and make the best of it.

I was so glad that you received the check O.K. and I guess as you say you could use the money to better adfvantage by paying your bills which are sure to fall due next week. Win, if you make good at Forestry you'll be a wealthy kid very soon. I have been talking with a Lieutenant up here, a fellow who has just come out of the Officer's Training School, and he says that you could make in a short time five thousand a year salary as Chief Forest Ranger. He has told me very interesting things about the business, how a Ranger lives in the most beautiful parts of our country, he associates with the highest class of people, and is welcomed in any society. Go to it Win! You have simply got to, because you;re bound to. For a few months if war calls you, that is nothing. You'll win out.

Yes, the Saturday afternoon's shopping in Worcester was such a lark. Poor mother, I nearly died laughing because I induced her to spend so much money, She nearly died when she paid seven dollars for dress shoes, and then when she got a $9.50 hat for $7.50 (because I was a soldier the lady said), mother had such a funny expression on her face. Mother said she never even paid seven dollars for a hat in her life before. Think of it Win, and her hat is such a beauty, simply by costly material in it. Mother's gray suit is a peach. Oh! I know you will think mother looks great when she gets all dolled-up. Her evening dress of blue is a corker. I am buying her some white kid gloves for her birthday present. Mother I believe plans to leave Boston next Thursday morning at nine o'clock, getting to you in the early evening, Win, do be sure and explain everything plain to mother in you Sundays letter, so she won't worry in travelling, You had better plan to meet her in Bangor station, hadn't you? I hope mother has a never-to-be-forgotten visit, and don't hurry home. I may be home the Saturday after you get back home.

Win I congratulate you on your honorary position as Chaplin. I shall be very lonesome next week end, when I think of you all in Maine having the glorious time. Win, tell me in your next letter just what day you actually get your diploma, thet is when are the graduating exercises. I want to think of you at that time.

How did that special exam come out? I am anxious to hear about it. I am confident you got by it gloriously.

You spoke about the garden at home. Well, mother has given it over to Uncle Harlan this year and she did a very wise thing I think. She won't have that to bother her this summer. Say Win, if you have a chance to rest after you get home, for a few weeks, why rest up Win, loaf around. You are bound to feel a reaction and if you don't be careful when your school duties fall from you, you will be a wreck. Take you kid brother's advice and be aware. You have worked unnaturally hard.

A week from tomorrow night (Friday) while you as all at Commencement dance is it, I expect to be in Milford taking my first degree in the Masons. The Barnards told me to come to their house as mother will be away. I shall return to Devvens on the Saturday morning.

Yes, my "physimohogany" (face) was taken two weeks ago. Such an ordeal, worse that a court proceeding, You shall have one to chase the wild animals away with when you are in the forests. Ha-ha!

You ought to picture my rear extremety from horseback riding every day this week. This morning I was riding nearly four hours steady, but I do like it. I am going to try and have mother and Doris up here Sunday. I wrote mother last night and suggested it.

Wasn't it lovely of the Burnham's to bring mother up here, and then, too, give her that glorious ride? I was so surprised to see her, but happy.

I think I will close now and you will hear from me next week again. Heaps of love and best wishes to you from

Your loving brother
Mort

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