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here very long. They sell cake and milk over at the canteen several times a week and you ought to see the lineups. It rains about every other day up here. Is clear today though. Is it the same down your way. Have to go to French tonight and learn something if I can. Havent learned much so far though. Have to get up a half hour earlier in the morning for some reason or other. Tomorrow we generally go on a hike and do skirmish duty. Its the hardest work we get during the week. Had to put on the gloves this morning but didnt get beat up. Think I had the best of the mill. Several guys got knocked off from their feet. Its lots of sport to put the gloves on and mix it. Only keep them on for two minutes so you see there is not much danger of getting beat up in that much time. Say do you know Aunt Nells address. Got a letter from her and Wilfred but they never gave me their street number. Guess they think it is funny that I dont answer their letters. Tell Miss Barnes that she can save me one of those helmets thanking her and I will get it
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the next time I come home. This month is nearly up so pay day ought to be here pretty quick and we will get pay day liberty. Will come home when she comes if everything goes O.K. Woods hasn't taken out any insurance yet but is later on. Mail comes in here several times a day. Will sure be glad when the watch gets here as it will come in handy. Just got back from French so will finish your letter.
Did Ida ever get those films developed. If so tell her to send some of them up. Got her letter yesterday and will answer tomorrow. Our liberty starts at eleven tomorrow morning and lasts until 11:30 Sunday night.
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The reason for this is because the Marine Ball Team is going to Oakland to play the Oakland Coast League Team and they want all the rooters they can get to go along. But I am going to stay right here as I have only four bits to my name.
Did you try to get the Blanco in San Luis? Well I have to clean up my gun. Hoping this finds every one well. I remain as ever your loving son,
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Mch. 24, 1917.
Dear mother: -
Rec'd your letter yesterday and will answer it right away.
Just wrote one to you a day before I got this one, but will write another one any way. Haven't did a thing since yesterday noon but eat and bum around. Lots of the boys went on liberty but I am going to wait till pay day liberty which will be here before long as it is near the end of the month.
I will try and let you know this time when I will be in S.L. so you can come up and meet me. Woods went to Oakland yesterday. His wife came up there to meet him. Quite a bunch from here are coming home this time.
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2.
Victor Withrow has been in the hospital about three weeks and just got out today. He had his tonsils taken out. Was feeling kind of bum all week myself but am feeling a good deal better today. Took several good doses of physic and it improved matters some. It has started in to rain again this evening. It always rains on a Monday it seems as it is inspection day. Dont go and buy a to expensive watch as a cheap one will be good enough. You can keep that helmet that Miss Barnes sent until I come down & then I will get it. Thank her for me. I dropped Fred a card yesterday.
Has he got it yet? Also sent one to Shakespeare. Rec'd the Heralds and that the bunch that went home had their names