I will tell you, dear benefactor, that I effort myself to work and be very sage so little brother take model on me.  I go to catechism two times by week, and I am on the table of honor, and for Christmas Mr. le Cure give me a pretty shawl for hold my neck and shoulders warm when I go to school.

For Christmas Jean put his shoes in the chimney for the little Jesus fill them like all the years.  But Maman say to him:  “This year the little Jesus carry nothing, because with all the sous in the world he want to get our big victory so the dirty boches kill no more our dear Papas.”

But, grace to you, the morning of Noel the shoes were all of same remplished.  There was apples red and some chocolate and stockings with long legs.  We make many of holes in our stockings and all the time there is no more cloth in places, so Maman cuts them down.  So in the beginning they are long, then 1/2 long, then socks.  It was socks all the winter, dear benefactor, but when your silver come, the legs come long again.

In the after-dinner Noel we make a promenade in the woods of Boulognes.  Now it is the vacancies[5] of Noel and I aid Maman, she make me some black aprons new for go to school, and I sit myself down on the side of her.  She loves not that I play in the streets, because she desire that I be well elevated [6].  And it is much snow in Paris; it make so cold that I love not to go out.

Dear benefactor, you demand what grade I am.  I comprehend not.  Only the officers have grade.  Are you an officer?  I think yes, because you talk so much the submareens, etc.

I have nothing more to say at you, but Maman joins herself to me to pray you to agree, dear benefactor, the expression of our sentiments the most distinguished and respectuous.

Your godchild,
A. Leblanc.

[1] Silver (argent) money. [2] Good-carrying (bien portante) healthy. [3] Dactylographer (typist). [4] Indorse (endosser) to put on. [5] Vacancies (vacances) vacations. [6] Well elevated (bien elevee) well bred.

Greenville Falls.  N.Y. 
Jan. 2, ’17.

Deer Miss Secretary,

There is something off about my godchild, you no the one you give me to suport, well dad rored when he saw the letter but I think he is a nut and mother sez he is two elevated fer me, so hoping you will get me a nuther one I will close hoping you are well.

Yours truly,
James P. Jackson Jr.

P.S.  I will rite just the same to this one till you get me a nuther one.

Greenville Falls.  N.Y. 
Jan. 2, 1917.

Deer godchild