France
Dec 10/16

My Dear Wife

I take pleasure in writing you a line to night am well except my throat and cough hope you get this before Xmas will drope you a line in five days again. we will be out for a month then, to think five boys and two girls some great bunch, if I could but look in for a minute or two, it is now about eight O will be on guard from eleven to twelve to night have taken the trimble of hot stuff it will and does help drive the cold dampness out but remember I do not take it because I like it, if it was dry warm weather would not take it but it is a help for in the morning the cold is gathered up a lot if Fred’s new about thoes tablets I believe he would send some but you need not send any unless you get word from me again this trouble might end by Feb. that is to long at that we can see some coal works fritzs have in the distance, hope you are well and strong dear girlie and get your work managed with out hurting every thing its a lot of good me talking like this, but I feel the load now I have time to get woke up, the bunch will grow up in the new times this trouble will make, which will be more peaceful and reasonable, hope they will careful early in life like you, glad you are there Mother than some others I have seen and heard about, I have been wondering if you wrote anything to me between Sept 22 and Oct 16, did not get any that was a trying time for you dear heart hope you can have some great comfort and blessing through the rest of you life, have you seen Willie’s lately hope he is getting on fine. it is just nine O a young fellow is going out for his hour I will try and sleep for an hour or so now, we have a fire which cheers some but smokey I keep turning things in my mind about how to get along for the best, but it may end O.K. what we know not now will some day glad they are getting on at school so well their letters were dandy well will lay down bye bye

old Roy