poral now), whom I relieve
every two hours, get into trouble they can call me. Non-coms. go on
guard once in six days, so about every sixth night I get along with
no sleep.

We have been ordered to do away with all personal property except
shaving outfit and absolutely necessary articles. We can't keep a
foot-locker, trunk, valise, or even an ordinary soap-box in our
tents. Everything must be put in one barrack bag, a canvas sack just
like a laundry-bag.

Thank the girls for the silk handkerchief and candy they sent. I
sure have the sweetest sisters of any boy I know. I never
appreciated them when I had them. I'm learning bitter truths these
days. And tell mother I'll write her soon. Thank her for the pajamas
and the napkins. Tell her I'm sorry a soldier has no use for either.

This morning I did my washing of the past two weeks, and I was so
busy that I didn't hear the bugle blow, and thereby got on the
"black book." Which means that I won't get any time off soon.

Before I forget, Lenore, let me tell you that I've taken ten
thousand dollars' life insurance from the government, in your favor
as beneficiary. This costs me only about six and a half dollars per
month, and in case of my death--Well, I'm a soldier, now. Please
tell Rose I've taken a fifty-dollar Liberty Bond of the new issue
for her. This I'm paying at the rate of five dollars per month and
it will be delivered to her at the end of ten months. Both of these,
of course, I'm paying out of my government pay as a soldier. The
money dad sent me I spent like water, lent to the boys, threw away.
Tell him not to send me any more. Tell him the time has come for Jim
Anderson to make good. I've a rich dad and he's the best dad any
harum-scarum boy ever had. I'm going to prove more than one thing
this trip.

We hear so many rumors, and none of them ever come true. One of them
is funny--that we have so many rich men with political influence in
our regiment that we will never get to France! Isn't that the limit?
But it's funny because, if we have rich men, I'd like to see them.
Still, there are thirty thousand soldiers here, and in my neck of
the woods such rumors are laughed and cussed at. We hear also that
we're going to be ordered South. I wish that would come true. It's
so cold and drab and muddy and monotonous.