The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-02-28
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fore | had to wait until today. This
is Xmas day in France and as to elm
attic conditions very closely resembles
the New England Holiday Lately
we have had real cold weather but
very little snow, yesterday it warmed
up a bit as the sun came out, today
has been fine up to o'clock this p.
m. then we had a regular old fashion
ed blizzard. the snow came down and
plastered the shacks and tents with
white sheet, just now 1t is clear as
day out and growing cold.
We didn't have to work today not
even the prisoners, last night was the
first time that lights were allowed to
burn after $50, now yeu just bet we
all stayed up late; it was one o'clock
when | blew my second candle out.
and this morning | never heard
sound until almost seven o'clock and
there was plenty of noise too | went
to breakfast which consisted OF the
usual oatmeal, coffee and bacon, then
l did my chamber work. which means
folding up the blankets and picking
up around the cot; then opened two
boxes, both were pound boxes of cho-
colates that | have been saving for
quite a while. They were fine. All
the fellows crowded around and We
had a fine time eating and talking
about what we thought might be TAX
ing place back home. At noon We
had steak, just think of that for din
ner The afternoon was spent inside,
then at so mess call sounded and we
lined up for turkey with all that goes
with it, | was about half way In the
line, it was about as long as it is from
the North street to Madison avenue, so
you can have an idea of the length
Well to make a long story short, We
are all well satisfied with our Xmas
considering where we-are and the CON
ditions that exist.
| got your letter dated Oct. 3lst. a
short time ago, it being the third since
I have been here; but as long as the
girls keep on writing as they are very
good about doing, | won't complain
Sadie writes often; she always goes
to Milford Thanksgiving so you will
know why she could not go up
We fellows are all quite well, work
ing every day, plenty to do, we have
plenty clothes to keep warm except
the hands, the yarn gloves don't last
long. hope Robt will be back with
you before long.
| will close now hoping you all had
a pleasant holiday and will have
prosperous New Year.
Love to all
TOM.
January 3rd, 1918.
Somewhere in France"
Dear Mother.
Well here we are beginning another
perfectly New Year, altho we are some
distance apart. compared with last
year am doing exactly the same
thing was one year ago, writing, the
conditions, surroundings and locality
however are very much different.
received your letter dated Octo
Der oath. January 1st about three
weeks after the one dated October 2S,
so you can see how the mail gets
sidetracked. also received a letter
from Mabelle, dated December 6th
one from Josephine and several from
Sadie Mabelle told me about the
heavy snowstorm; gee, you folks must
be completely banked in | saw by
the paper that it was very cold there
too. We have cold weather too, but
not much snow. it is little warmer
today altho plenty cold enough yet.
Jose says that she is doing whole
lot of knitting for the follows,
told her to save out a pair OF heavy
mittens and start them this way, that's
about the only article we need now.
It's hard to get gloves here.
I'm mighty glad that Robt had a
chance to get home; how does he like
it, Tell him to drop me a line also
not to be too anxious to get over this
way. because he sure will chang: his
mind after living in this country. Too
bad the girls all could not have been
there Thanksgiving. Sadie was not
feeling very we'll at that time and
couldn't get to Milford as she always
has done. She has sent papers at
different times which are interesting
these long evenings, | like to read
about the fellows that are in training
quite often | see where some Of the
fellows used to know did something
Were there any from there in town in
the first, or second draft? How is
Pauline getting on. Tell her to spend
few minutes some evening and write
altho suppose she is waiting for me
to write.
We fellows are all quite will not
losing any weight, but as to teeth well
l guess the dentists will have plenty
work where we get back. l surely
hope that you and all the folks are
well and will be able to stand the aw-
full strain that this war is causing
Best regards to all Tell S. W. Gould
that | am going to write him just as
soon as something interesting takes
place
Love