I had dinner in town with Max Glocoses mother.  Hes a fello in our tent.  Shes a nice enough old lady but she aint military, Mable.  We was walkin down the street before dinner an salutin officers so fast it looked like we was scratchin our forheds.  An every time we saluted she bowed.  I didnt say nothin cause after all she was payin for the dinner.  Later on though she says.  “I think its fine you boys has made so many friends among the officers cause I think there such nice men.”  Can you beat it Mable?  An when she went home she sent Max an officers hat cord cause she said she didnt think it would fade as quick as that old blue thing he was wearin.

I like to forgot to thank you for the Christmas presents you an your mother sent.  Im glad you minded what I said about not wantin nothin although Id sent you two presents what was worth more than I could afford ($4.87).  As I said to Joe Loomis who was in the tent when your presents came, it aint what the thing cost or wether you could ever use it for anything.  Its the thought.  Sentiment before pleasure.  Thats me all over, Mable.

Thanks for the red sweter, Mable.  We aint allowed to use them.  But you dont want to feel bad about that cause I got lots of others an didnt need it anyway.  An tell your mother thanks for the preserves an cake.  I think thats what they was.  They must have packed them between a steam roller and a donkey engin from the looks.  Joe Loomis picked out most of the glass an tried some.  Hed eat anything, that fello, Mable.  He said it must have been pretty good when it started.  Tell that to your mother.  I know it will please her.

I got so many presents from other girls an the like that its kind of hard to remember if you sent me anything else.  If you did just tell me in your next letter and Ill thank you when I rite again.

I hope my presents arrived all right.  I guess you’ll like em.  You ought to at the price.  As I says to the girl what sold em when she says she didnt have nothin cheaper “Nothins to good for where there goin.”  Isnt that tipical of me, Mable?

Well, Mable, perhaps next year Ill send you a Dutch helmit maybe.  It aint no use wishin you a happy New Year cause I know how itll be with me away an your father what he is.

     Yours regardless,
          Bill.

Mon Croquette:

Thats not the kind with the evenin dress tooth pick in the top, Mable.  A croquette is a French society woman.  Study these letters of mine an see how I use the words.  You ought to be able to pick up enough French to understand me talkin it when I come home.

Well, Mable, New Years are behind us again.  Once more I made a lot of revolushuns.  Its no use sayin there wasnt nothin for me to change.  Youre prejudiced.  I can see falts where others cant.  Underneath a plesant exterior I am made of sterner stuff, as the poets say.  I have gave up frivolity with the exception of goin into town once in a while to take a bath.  Im strong for this sanity stuff under any conditions.