Witley May 5/18

Mrs. W.R. Fisher

Stoney Creek, Ont.

Dear May:-

Have picked on you to be the recipient of my weekly letter this time because it is going to be a woeful tale and because, you will think I have forgotten you, judging from the long interval between letters.

Have had a disappointment this evening which I may describe as being more keenly felt than it really is, and hence the sad tale.

Had an appointment to take two young ladies of Guildford for a paddle on the creek which runs through that town and about the time I was ready to leave camp it commenced to rain, so after making all preparations for going it was necessary to cancell the engagement.

Will tell you about the funny experience and how the appointment came about.

Was in Guildford Saturday-week, with Miller and we were fooling looking for a girl which was a rather tedious pastime for the ones who are easy to get where the ones we didn’t want but finally late in the evening we were fortunate enough to find two rather nice girls who after talking to, awhile made an engagement for last Thursday or rather one of them promised to meet me as Miller was leaving for Canada on Wednesday.  Well we were to meet at the town hall at 7 o’clock Thurs. evening and of course I kept my promise excepting for the fact that I did not know which was the hall and hence was at the wrong place at the appointed time and afterward discovered my mistake.  She said she would be dressed in navy-blue suit and because of the style of her hat on the first occasion had prevented me from getting a real good look at her face, I was rather doubtful whether I should know her again.  As the time for meeting passed before I discovered my mistake I began searching the faces on the street for the girl and those wearing navy-blue were specially scrutinized.  Several times I thought “well there she is” and I would don a smile and walk to meet her but as the smile was not returned in some cases I would change my expression, and pass on.  One lady which I thought must be she and who appeared to be waiting, I politely asked her if she were the lady whom I had promised to meet.  She said she was expecting someone but she didn’t think I was to one, so I politely beg her pardon and took leave.

There was another vision in blue accompanied by a girl friend and she smiled a couple of times so when she reached a more secluded spots I began to question her and on finding that she was not the girl but a younger and bashful maiden, I begged leave to spend the evening with they two which was readily granted and after a pleasant walk of about an hours duration I made the appointment for this evening, which has been cancelled by a rainy evening.  They were just young girls but since I only wanted someone to spend an evening or two with they would do nicely.  The younger and more bashful girl was quite pretty. 

You will think I never know when to stop when I commence writing about women but promise you that I do not tell this stuff to my friends and am trying to show you the amusement which it is possible to have, even over here.  Think I have mentioned in my letters home, ever time I have been with girls so you will see that my indulgence in their company is very limited.

At our camp theatre have seen “peg O’ My Heart” and Sweet Savander” during the past week, each of which was most amusing and well produced, “The Merry Widow and the Sunshine Girl are being played this week.

Certainly regreted to see my pal go back to Canada but already I have made a good friend of a Pte Moore from Toronto and we were for a very enjoyable walk last evening during which we exchanged ideas on numerous subjects such music, literature, life hereafter the theory of evolution and other like subjects.

The experience over here has taught me a great deal, I used to think I knew quite a lot but that feeling has entirely passed, for every day I am talking to Pte. whom knows far more than I can ever hope to learn.  The fellow with whom I read in visual work is a fine example of the above statement.  He is a student of Columbus University and has specialized in chemistry and had a factory for making some ingredient used for varnish which was obtained in Germany previous to out break of war.  He has been as great reader and quotes passages from acient and mediaeval History and from poems written in those periods, as easily as I might talk of times at home.

His humour is great for it is told in a dry way which adds heaps to the fun.  Yet as wise as he is, he is not progressing with signaling as well as even I am and is anxious to get out of the section.  While reading our weekly test on flag, last Friday, he was not getting along very well, during the “address to” of a message and a thought struck him of an amusing incident in a book, of which he told me the author and a lot of detail I do not remember but it was about an actor in the olden days playing the part of a villain expiring on the stage, to the accompaniment of clarionette music played by the actor himself.  Well by the time he had told me the story the message was given, down to the text so he commenced reading again as though nothing had happened.  On our last test I made out fairly well considering, it was stupid me.  Flag at 7 words a minute, or 35 letters, I had 95 % buzzer at 8 words or 40 letter per min.  95%, about 5 words 99 1/2 % [?] 6 words per.  98%.  This is not a high percentage but good for me.  The written exam. is the easiest for me but do not know to result. I never write such long letters to anyone but you for I feel that you will be interested in things other would not care to hear.

Wrote to Viola to day

Sincerely hope the children are well and that Wilmer is enjoying his new position and that you are all happy as I am.

Happiness consists entirely in making the best of surroundings and seeing or atleast only remembering the beauty and pleasure of those surroundings.

Had a trench card from Wallace last week. He is well.  Will try to write a short note to him this evening.

Very best love to all. 

Next Sunday is Mother’s Day and I know you will buy some flowers for my or our mother, as I should have done had I been there.  I will certainly be wearing one a week from today.

Good night dear sister and all.

Your loving brother

George