Im makin a study of war.  Im goin to tell you a sekrut.  Im workin on a plan to end the war.  I got thinkin, as I will, an it struck me that no one had gone into this at all.  There all figurin how to go on with it but none of em how to quit it.  Dont say nothin till I get it worked out.  I guess you always knew youd here from me when I got goin, eh Mable?

[Illustration:  “A CROQUETTE IS A FRENCH SOCIETY WOMAN”]

I also resolved not to put off till tomorrow what I can do today. (Old motto.) For instance if I can get out of a fatigue today whats the use of waitin till tomorrow.  The same with sleepin and restin.

I cut out cigarets to.  I was gettin to be a feend.  Got so I had to lite one whenever I got thinkin.  I was usin up most a package a day.  Nervous an high strung.  Thats me all over, Mable.  I smoke cigars an a pipe instead.  A fello with an active mind has got to have somethin.  You remember what the fello what trained the high school show said when he saw me act.  Temperature.  Thats me.  Of course its harder to borrow pipe tobacco and cigars but Im tryin to show the fellos how bad cigarets is.  Pretty soon Ill be all O.K. again.

I got that watch your father sent me for a New Years present.  Tell him thanks very much an not to feel bad because he forgot to send me a Christmas present cause this wipes out the debt entirely.  He said it was a military watch an the latest thing out.  I guess they call it a military watch cause it works two hours and stops four.  Its the latest thing round here.  If I answered call by that watch Id be fallin in for retreat round taps.  Its so slow it cant stop quick.

I got the blacksmith over at headquarters company workin on it now.  Hes an awful good man.  He was a plumber in civilian life.  Thats why they made him a blacksmith when he joined the army.  He says hes goin to fix it sos Ill never be bothered with it again.

I got asked to a dinner New Years night.  I sat next to a Colonels wife.  It was kind of embarassing at first.  I put her easy though.  I says whose that funny lookin old bird sittin across the room with a head like an egg.  Hes very chic isnt he? (Thats a French joke Mable.) She says “Thats my husband.”  As soon as Id stopped laffin I started right in an told her the history of every man in the company beginnin with the As.  You know me when I get started.  I didnt give her no chanst to get embarassed.  When she started to say somethin I just kept right on talkin just to show her that bein a Colonels wife she wasnt expected to make no effort.

I made good, Mable.  I guess you kno I would.  After dinner I heard her ask somebody who invited me.  Then she said somethin like “Hed ought to be known better.”  Never miss a chance.  Thats me all over.  It may mean promoshun or anything.  It may be that shell have me sent to Fort Silly to learn somethin.  You cant tell.

[Illustration:  “I SAT NEXT TO A COLONELS WIFE”]