Letter to Mother
28th
6.30 P.M.
Well Mother:–
I received $200 worth of tracts I sent for to distribute among the boys. I took some down to the counter at the Y.M.C.A. about 100 yds from the dugout. About 3 P.M. I went out to a shell hole and washed a shirt and my drawers which are about the size of Delberts pants only white canvas just the right thing for summer then I took a dandy bath the water was so warm and fresh from the Tuesday rain, then the mail came I got a letter from Annie and one from a lad I met at Witley a young McDonald. Also the tracts.
It is strange to think of when you see how quick men go down here a man is like a mouse in a civilian home he is safe untill the lady of the house gets observation on him and then he goes out there is four of the boys gone out now one died of wounds since I wrote last night,
I had a pretty good cot but I gave it to a lad that is sick I am going to sleep on the floor I can do it as easy as any thing and it will feel like a feather bead to. I did not dare to offer him my cot for fear he would not think it no better than the floor but he jumped at it so it must be a lot better to a sick man, My I am happy and as contented my heart is just running over with joy, but I wish I had a place where I could be alone to pray for those poor boys who go down and un prepared, they know no more of what happens to them than a mouse or a gopher they go out in a flash so often, My I had a dandy treat from a box to night these boys hearts are as big as a mountain I have had an opportunity to talk to quite a few boys now is the time when you walk out and see the remains of hineys and French and our boys I guess the shells uncover them again as no one is to blame at all but it makes them think and the poor boys who are tender hearted it hurts them so they can’t get used to it, but Mother remember your boy is a butcher by experience and smell never bothers him neither does a lot of the other. God carries a man thru daily struggles as well as speritual struggles. Oh what a difference if the boys would all go to the word of God for guidance in there life for the true life that is got thru Christ Jesus, and the study of his word to those who beleave will make the christian man the perfection that pleases God how real it is to me and it means my whole life nothing else is worth while, I wouldent go back from the line one inch if I knew I would live ten years amid the pleasures of sin or go ten days up the line and be called of God to my home. All I want is to be like him to what ever extent I can in this weak human life. Well Mother dear I must close never worry about me just praise God for coming with me and giving me the assurence that I am his son and in his service. read 1st Thes 3rd chapter (13-14)
There is oceans of corn beef lying around we can eat or carry away I we want the same with the biscuits I have out side of my iron rashions, which are good for 48 hours) 24 hours of biscuits on me and I can take 1 or 2 or a dozen cans of beef if I want to carry them so never worry about short rations at any meal it is great the way they feed use. I have to go
bye bye ever dearest boy Laurie Give my love to all the loved ones at home, L.