[Illustration: "I SAT NEXT TO A COLONELS WIFE"]

I cant think of anything more that you would understand. Dont show these
letters to kno one. There is to many spize around. I suppose you are
awful lonesome without me. I dont get much time to be lonesome what with
drillin an goin out somewhere. As soon as things get shook down a bit I
hope to get more time to miss you. Hows your fathers liver?

Au Riviere,
_Bill_.



_Mon Ami:_

Sounds like a scourin pouder, doesnt it, Mable? As a matter of fact its
the way a French lady talks to a fello shes awful fond of.

Im not an officer any more. I was just goin to resine anyways. The
Captins been watchin me rise an he didnt like it. He knew I knew more
than him as well as me. Always askin me questions. Id always tell him
cause I knew he had a wife and children in Jersey City an so I was sorry
for them. Soft. Thats me all over. But the other day when I was on guard
he says, "Corperal, whats the General orders?" an I says, "Captin if you
dont kno them now you never will and I wouldnt be doin no service to my
country if I told you." Cold but civil, Mable. You kno how I can be.

The Captin just felt cheap an walked away. I kind of felt sorry for him.
Almost told him so once or twice. Then I went on guard again. I go on