Letter to Mother from Somewhere in France

Some where in France
7-18-17[sic]

Dear Mother:–

The mail just came in I got a letter from Annie but have not read it yet so will stop and do so now. I am in Y.M.C.A. hut it is raining off and on to day but not enough to stop the boys running around, I used my oil sheet to come over here but before I got here it had stoped so I did not need it and it an’t over 300 yds away from hut.

Sister wrote a good letter I will have to answer it soon.

I marched about 11 or 12 miles today to ranges and back we carried out a machine gun section composition of Brigade and my section beat our Lieutenant gave use 10 frank to divide between use for a treat there may be an other prize we don’t know. we just got thru two seconds sooner than one other section pretty close,

I don’t know why but our batt is just getting away with about 90% of the compotition I would quit if I was some of them

Well Mother I stoped here and read all of Galatians and two chapters of Eph. There is some great verses in these chapters,

I did not feel like writing so I read and now I feel good and like finishing this letter.

Mother an other girl I liked is gone Eveline. I never quite realized it but as I look back now I beleave our acquantence was the one I most desire to think about of any she has the right make up for a good wife in a thousand ways, but she lacked the frivolusness that did draw me like it does thousands of other boys.

I will have to have a wife of different make up than I used to look for, any way I must say that I do admire from the bottom of my heart Coulter’s judgement in choosing the kind of girl I didn’t have sence enough to but there is a mate waiting for me some where if it is Gods will that I should come thru and get back home again.

I did not answer Myrtles last letter and the night before last I got another one 16 pages and say all the stuff that was in it would make you laugh for a week but I an’t going to answer it I said I had quit so that is enough. I dident tell her I had quit but she will find that out for you can’t tell any one any thing like that with out hurting there feelings.

One of our boys a private got a D.C.M. he went to be presented it by the King he is a rough boy but very strong physeaqe he is a good wrestler Cairns is his name.

Well I suppose you will soon be harvesting out there and then the snow and then the good old winter when you can read and eat cold roast pork and bread and butter, porrige with cream and sugar well. a man don’t need these fancies at all but say if I ever get them again I surely will never forget to appreciate it each meal.

We live fine and it suits use we relish each meal but it an’t to be mentioned in the same year with what we used to live on at home even in hard times for relish.

Well good bye Mother dear as ever your loving son
Laurie