Letter to Kate from Somewhere in France

#782373
Somewhere France
14-7-18

Dear Kate:–

I have been thinking about getting this letter started for the longest time but never seem to get around to making it materialize.

I am lying in my funk hole, a candle is going beside me it seems more like home when there is a light. it is 9.30 P.M.

I must thank you for the good things you have sent me in mothers parcels, we do enjoy the things from home and to the extent that we eat more than we should.

I surely remember some good times at your place, You remember the time Ed Burwick helped me butcher the pig and then we made ice cream Gladys was there to, another time Burt and Hazel Peel we made ice cream and you had the young girls then once I remember - I don't know whether these two dates mix or not now. Then cakes when I was breaking and Ottos potatoe cake I surely would do justice to a plate of it right now. "toot sweet"

If I live to go back I will never attempt to do as I did before, I will settle down with a small outfit on the farm and just quietly make good or go broke there is no reason why any one should go broke especially after the amount of different experiences I have had, and the opportunities I have had to watch other make good and go broke.

I want to live and have time to learn, to study, and make a little change in the district life if possible I know that every man and woman can help if the try the try is the place to put the emphasis If every one don't try why there is nothing surer than that there will be a dead community, but if a few try to get things going and stay with the game it will go ahead with out a doubt.

I only want the chance now if God is willing I shall if not why it is all right I am satisfied with my lot, I don't say I have accomplished all I should in the army life, but I will say that I have tryed to build up a life upon the word of God and I have tryed each day and I have found encouragement I feel well paid and am going on with a firmer determination than ever to perfect my life by the life and spirit Jesus Christ,

[On reverse of 2nd page]

Dear Kathleen how are you and the boys coming these days do you help your father and mother poison gophers pick weeds do a thousand other things that will save steps for them and only be fun for you,

Have you had a good school teacher, the last term,

I had a shell come close enough to me today that it made me duck, but it was not close, about a 100 yds, so if they never come closer to me than that I will live to dye of old age or wait a long time for a Blighty

I am lying in an uncomfortable position to write, but I guess you will be able to guess what I mean,

bye bye as ever your loving uncle

Laurie