[Editor’s note: Set of four letters.]

France
Feb 2/17

Dearest of Girls

I got the parcel last night it is extra fine and good made a pail full of cocoa will put on some more soon wish you had not sent tablets but will take care of them untill I need them it hard for you to know just what to put in a box I made a mistake is saying tablets in stead of candels, your mail comes mixed 5^th and then 2^nd a week a part but they are the best of our life but you do not think with me yet about big matters you do not know how things are at all and how they are done the little one horse places you talk about are no good to themselves look at the states and this place they never did better till they run things for them selves when all places can run things them selves run by just a few do not run smooth time will show places with all the people having a say get along the best if all of your family had of had a say things would have got on smoother the same about our place if we could have done as we wanted to might have had more stock or goods it does not pay for one to be over another so heavy lessons will be learned out of these things all places will be free some day as over there to the south I have tryed to talk these things with you but you could not see them this saying I can keep you from this and that is not any good people can live and die of old age in holes you know these little places have all ways had one over them and never had any freedom will all be put into some big ones and run by the people they will get on alright but how long it will take is the question

Your letters are my joy and best to look forward to but you should think about having the kiddies having some help for a few years to come but being fixed on this thing will not help them, that talk about runing the waters made trouble the worst the world ever saw and make a lot of fellows sick and a hundreds of broken families, I like to feel free with lots of space to move, This paper is not very white it has been carried about so much we move very often every three days we go some place now thought some terms would end this by this month M is geting along fine don’t you think all of them if I can help them for 9 or 10 years yet they can get on fairly well, what makes me like this is to see so many geting rich and not in danger or near the line You don’t seem to care about the chances in don’t you know if you were running chances I would think the same as you as I said if they fixed up some more land for thoes people and had the arms put away as it will be fixed. This light I have is not very good but it is better than the light from the fire have just got the tea from the cooks but will make some cocoa after a little we may have to stand to arms for an hour when we come in will have a treat I have not had a letter from Fred lately or Mother may get one soon I found a pen here the 4^th left, we move in again soon I wish you had not said about the little places they have never been free dont write about these things I am writing on a pile of bricks and neeling down so can not do very well I will fill up an envelope this time

You are my great joy and life try and think with me and I will work to overcome my self in my ways and meet some day in perfect happeness You are the only one and realy the first one you know that, in my life if things had went right, we have a dandy bunch to and you are quite well thank goodness, by good luck I never saw any person fix up a child as good as you can or more patient, but of my self I do not know any good act or habit except I like kidds and open country we had a good bath and change of cloths will put on some creolene to keep off the little fellows You are getting alonge good by your letters wish I could see you all but the flag keeps us tied will close with wishing you the best of everything and lots of hugs and kisses

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[second letter:]

France
Feb 2/17

Dear Daughter

I am getting almost afraid to write letters your are such a fine letter writer but will try the parcel came last night it is a great treat made a dandy drink of cocoa have some oat meal I will have some great dishes for a few days we are out again for two or three days our fire is very open but do the best we can the end of the dug out is our pipe we make toast cocoa oxo and boil oat meal one thing you do not put in is candels but I found a jar of oil put some in a can with a little rag makes a good light to write by I have a card for and a letter for Mother writen but have not them posted yet will write some more and put in Stan is a dandy writer his writing is very fine in his letter

[signed crossways at top of page:]
Your dad
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xxxxx
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xxxxxx

[third letter:]

France
Feb 2/17

Dear Don

Your last letter was good one you have to stay home while Mother goes to town I see Mother had quite a trip getting the parcel fixed but is extra fine and came the best time Joe has a bad cold so the tablets are good for him the save came to late for me but some days it might be a help our longe route marches are over for a few weeks but some of my skin is as thick as leather now your letters have a good lot of news tell more about things in the house how the clock runs how you get on in the mornings how you help Mother etc I wear two pair of socks 5 pair of [Rags?] in and put two blankets me some frozen feet will close lots of love and kisses

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Your dad

[fourth letter:]

France
Feb 2/17

Dear Son Stan

Your writing is very good and dad is glad to get letters, telling about Bruce and Ruth and Ivan glad to hear anything that goes on around the table or out doors at school how Ruth talks and how Bruce gets dressed any little thing thats fun my you would laugh to see me sometimes Jack is going to school and he will go ahead of you all I think four Gullen in school will be great glad you are having some fun with you sleigh and fish game You had a lot of good news in the letter glad Mother has a coal stove keep it going good so you all keep from colds.

lots of □□□□xxxxx
dad