New Britain herald., 1918-02-02

keep them yourself, Ma, dear, as they
are simply splendid. They are my
Christmas present to you, and though
they are little late, / am sending
them for yaur Christmas, my first
away from home. Among the other
things I bought, is big pillow case
for you and the others as the slips
between indicate. 7 hope Claire, Kit
and Madge will like the little gifts,
they aren't much but I didn't want to
forget them. I am sending a pack
age to Mary in which there is a big
wooden scarf for Grandfather Grace
to keep him warm up at that cold
corner, back O. the hill" She will
bring it over to you and you give it
to him for me. I got some dandy
aprons for Mary and I'll probably
send some to Madge, Claire and Kit,
if I can get where I can buy them.
I hope you will like them, Ma. I am
going to take out an insurance on
myself and this and two Liberty bonds
are for you. This will about break
me, Ma, but believe me I am willing
to go broke for you because I know
how many times you went the limit
for me. Gee, Ma, it's funny how a
fellow begins to realize things over
here, and I'm just about wise now
to what that saying "Your mother is
your best friend after ALL" really
| means, and I wish you could know
how much I love you, Mother Ma
chree, and how much it means to me
to have these gifts please you. I'm
broke except for a few francs, and
I'm happy. Well, Mother, dear this
line is being written a day later than
the rest Of this letter, and since then
[ have struck a gold mine. I am go
ing to send you $40. It will have
reached you long before this letter but
you'll know that I'm remembering
you at any rate. We are working
just as hard, training every day, and
believe me, we are getting there in
quick time. Please don't worry about
me Mother, because I'll return to you
safe and sound, and that will be soon
think. This war can't go on much
longer because the Germans must be
all in and about ready to quit at the
first chance. I'd love to be home but
at the same time I'm glad I'm here
because I'm fighting for you, the best
mother a fellow ever had. Jack
! O'Brien, Callahan and Hopkins are
asking for you and wish you a merry
| Christmas. It makes me smile to
! near them all say, Gee, Gerry, I'd
! like to be home this Christmas and
| hear your mother sing in church,
! and believe me, they all know that
i famous duet in the GLORIA" which
! you and Mae Dillon sing and the
"Alma" and all the rest. There is a
crowd here singing in every key mag
Unable but they are all happy.
hope that you and Mary will keep in
j touch, and that you are taking good
care of her for me. Gee, she's a great
| girl Ma, and when T come home,
| she's going to be one Of the family
/ if I have anything to do with the
proposition. You wrote me a letter
| about the women in France, and you
can take it from me, that there will
! never be the time when I shall for
! get that T have a sweetheart like
| Mary waiting for me, and you can
tell her for me that she is my girl,
and to me, my girl is the only one
love. Well, Mother dear I've got
to answer a letter from George to-
| night, so will close now. I am feel
ing first rate and will be until I
come home. Give my love to all and
take lots of love for yourself. Hope
you like my presents.
Your loving