Smyrna times., 1943-08-26

a human, came slipping past my
ear and other tender parts of my
anatomy. Well, I did my best. 1t
was faily good, only for doing that
best, was richly rewarded with
seven days restriction, reprimand,
etc. I learned to love my bed in
that long period of time, and l
solemnly swore then that l would
get back on it at least once a day
from that time on. So far, I've
been faithful to my resolve. 1t
Just shows what one can derive
from the simple tasks with which
you come in contact in everyday
living. And, to top it all off, Hutch
goes to Texas. Well, if he prefers
Texas to India, that suits me-but
give me TEXAS every time!
For your information and guild
ance, it was made known through
various sources that some of the
children we knew were getting en-
gagged, even married. What won't
they think of next? They have my
blessings, though. Some of the
Longtimers are thinking such
thoughts. From the grapevine we
learn that William, one of the no.
torious Melvin boys, has at last
made an eye-splice with some nice
young thing, I'm sure. 1 wish you
well, Bill. Probably the next time
see you I'll be on display as
|Le-Compte of India, and they will
be calling Barnum's hig tent my
home. When hear of these child
marriages, it just rocks me! Oh,
the pity of it all. I'm really laugh
ing nowl
AS indications now point, after
my twenty years in India, there
will literally be a maniac in your
midst. Fair warning to all damsels
from six to sixty should be publish
ed. Things are running close. to
form now and I'm not trying to- be
a flag-waver since there is a fellow
who has this specific duty (raising
and lowering the fiag). Therefore,
1 do not pretend to be one. But,
looking back to a year ago, and
now looking at things as they are
in the raw, 1 can truthfully say
that I think the Japs will rue the
day that TOTO looked across the
water at our Islands. That is the
extent of fiery speech from just
soldier who is available to see
that it turns out that way.
Excuse the delay. Of course you
didn't notice the actual delay that
occurred between this and the last
paragraph, but it was there just
the same. That's right, you guess
ed it, you're sharp This is going
to be part of my letter which will
be downright serious, and will be
written, I hope, for the people who
have mental age of twenty-one OF
more.
To begin with Drib, your answer
to my so-called silly letter was in
deed appreciated. I still have, and
will always keep that slipping. The
letter wrote was for the people OF
my own age and it is not usually
the thing for people from eighteen
years to twenty-one years to have
such serious natures as those who
have lived good part of their lives
and know a darn sight more than
we do. No doubt, the longer you
live, the more of life as it is, you
know. This knowledge is gained
only by experience. What's ahead
in some respects, we don't know
and neither do you. However, our
judgment tells us of certain other
things that we do know about. You
have mentioned that there is an
other side to the picture, and
quite agree with you. In answer
to your direct question, l personally
never gave two boots about the
side that you mentioned. The rea-
son is obvious. Being a kid, ano
not so learned on the matters OF
government of our Country as
should be, was just busy having
fun. Then I came into the Army
Now, whether people think so OF
not, it still stands that serving
ones country is very good thing
1t gives you the opportunity OF
learning something, and I don't
mean just a mechanical course Of
some kind or other - so-callee
trade" 1t affords the opportun'
thy to get an insight as to the big
ger things in life. Much bigger
like the sort of things that vol
mentioned. To win the war is nee
essary, but the period after the wa
think will be the most importan
part. Just winning a war doesn'
settle a thing. Naturally, after tn
war is over we want peace. Di,
you ever stop to think, (leave GU
that comma) how we are going t
get the assurance of this peace
1 think you have from your writ
| ing.
There are some individuals VIII
l are hogs by their very nature. Thi
: applies to groups and, yes, eve
l nations. 1 tell you, that as long
( these Hogs" are around, there Wi