World War I Collection

it so [underlined] good & kind of the dear old lady – it was lots of work you know – not to speak of the cost of the wool – which is very high now –

Fond love dearest from us all –

You loving Mother R H. Bates

Jack Thomas is at "Point Loma" [underlined] under Lieut – – I forgot the name – is promised an ensigns commission according to Humels who expects to go down there soon – Mother.

Imprinted Paper: ALASKA ARIZONA CALIFORNIA IDAHO MONTANA NEVADA OREGON UTAH WASHINGTON

H. L. A. BATES SECRETARY-MANAGER

STANDARD FORMS BUREAU 277 PINE STREET TELEPHONE SUTTER 4560

TRADE MARK STANDARD

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., [handwritten:] Oct 15th 1918

My dear old Sned:

You are a good son to write to us so often. It brings us all close to you, and you dont know how much it helps your dear Mother. You are certainly having some great experiences, which you will have before you all the days of your life, with the conscientiousness of having done your duty. I can quite imagine your taking at night, bursting bombs for lightning, and the continuous roar of guns for thunder, but I suppose by now you are an expert on the sounds produced by various projectiles. We got a letter from you yesterday telling us about Bill George. I must have known him as a small boy, but I have known his father W. B. George since about 1884. I also knew his mother before they were married, and always liked them very much, though I have not seen them for years. It seems strange that you should meet him that way in your dug out. Last Sunday Jack Thomas drove in in his car into our back yard. He is a non com in the Navy and is attached to a sub chaser on the Atlantic. He has had the Spanish Influenza and pneumonia, and is home on 10 day sick leave and it seemed good to see him. In one of your letters you said you were going to send me 1600 francs. In your last letter you said you had sent $100.00 (500 frc) but it has not yet arrived.

says he heard a man was drowned at Surf Beach to day. I don't know who it was.

We miss you very much dearie the house seems so quiet & lonely. Though I am glad to say that Les came home to dinner & is here still & we enjoy his music.

We were only 3 at breakfast as Nor went over to Jack Thomas' home for the night.

I hope you will like it down there & not find it too hot and that you will find the work pleasant don't forget that you are [underlined] a good correspondent and we will expect to hear from you often – and keep us informed where to address you too like a dear boy

Fondest love from each of us –

your loving Mother.

R. Helen Bates

Remember to be thoughtful and helpful to your cousins and don't be too noisy. Let us know what you want sent if any thing. your loving Mother –

R. H. Bates

[on left margin:] I would not look up "frat" brothers. It would be hard to be rid of them & they might not be very nice boys.