[A note at the top of the first page reads:]
Doris B has just gone she spent about 5 hours with me.

[Paragraph breaks in the letter are editorial. I added them to make it easier to read. The letter itself contained no obvious paragraph breaks.]

Hopedale, Mass
Sept 22nd 1918

Dearent Son

I was glad to get your card Friday morning and to know that you were feeling so well. I trust you are still feeling fine. Had a long letter from Mort Friday morning. He dated it Sept 4th he is still in the same place but would not be surprised if they should move anytime. He said he was feeling fine. When he wrote his letter he said I was mighty glad to get your nice long letter last week. He said he feels sure he got every letter I wrote him, but did not say that he got your letter. He said he was anxiously waiting to know if I got word from him. When I got word the 12th of Aug of his safe arrival I wrote him the 18th so he ought to have had that letter saying I had the card and letter from Washington.

In his letter he said this room of one of the ladies here at teh Chateau returned my rather big washing, including two sets of underwear, O.D. shirts, towels, handkerchiefs and socks for which I paid her two francs or forty cents. Cheap enough I thought for she took the [?] to darn my socks and things. He said thise two sets of my own underwear comes in handy believe me.

Mother I think there are a few small things the Post Office will allow you to send me, without an order from a Commissioned Officer of our Regiment. So ask Mr. Sheldon what they are and if you can send me things like toothpaste, chewing gum, Bakers Chocolate, or life savers or talcum powder, why often on send me a little if you can. Those things are awfully hard to get here and believe me I'd appreciate them very much.

Then he goes on to say you tell Win now that he has started teaching not to be so busy that he can't find time to write his "kid" brother for I shall look for a word from Win once in a while.

I cannot send him anything but letters and papers. I am going to see if I can put a tube of toothpaste in the news papers when I roll it up. Doris B said she sends him a couple of pieces of gum in the letter. I am going to do that to.

Mort said he got paid for the month of July and Aug. and that he was going to send me he thought about 30 dollars by American Express and told me to do with it what I pleased. If you can use it for yourself, Mother dear, why use it. In fact it is yours I give it gladly to you. It is apt to come along any time. I do hope they have straightened out your allotment and that you are now O.K.

So very glad to receive those paper clippings. Went to church Sunday. They had the Epsicopal Services and enjoyed them so much, Several French natives are present and the little children are so very respectful. He said they were all anxious to get on the job. Really, I am learning loads of things thru the daily expreiences which will aid me so much in future years.

I was over to Company E last Sunday afternoon and had a pleasent afternoon with the "old boys". Bill Dineen is now Sergt. "Red" Damon and Chet Munnyou are fine. In fact we all are getting on great.

I now have wrote you the most of his letter. A letter from Kenneth B came by the same mail for you mailed it to you Friday night. I trust you got the cake and stockings all safe. I gave Stanly Mcaslin your address today he asked me for it at church. He had a card from you but not your address. Mr. Caffey sent me up his letter from you by Mrs. Bacon last night and I was might glad to read it. And it pleased me how nice you spoke in it about your mother.

I will by Gods help be brave and keep well for my sons sake. It will be on ehappy and glorious day for Mother is it pleases God to bring you both back home again. And we shall enjoy each other better than we ever did in teh past.

You said in your card that you had awful rain. Well we have had the same. Friday afternoon at three we had a regular cloud burst. I do not think I ever saw it rain any harder with a high wind. It cleared off yesterday afternoon and was very cold last night and real cold all day today. I have a coal fire in the kitchen. If the wind goes down we shall have a frost I think.

I hope the underwear they gave you is warm than those B.V.D. Where do you think hey will put you. As they have found you physically fit they will put you in active service. Charlie Ryillie wrote and said you passed for over sea service but he did not. Mr. Caffey brought up a book on allotments and read the different parts of it to me. So you are all right. A mother who is dependant on her sons can claim. So that relieved me, for I did not want you to get into trouble.

Uncle Harlan has just brought me in a half bushel of potatoes for which I am thankful.

With lots of love and kisses. God keep you safe.

Lovingly Mother xxxxxxx

Letters