Sunday, Aug. 12, 1917

Dear Marie,

I only have time for a short note tonight but want to write so you won’t
forget to write me. That’s the one big favor you can do me while I’m
away. Did you like Riverview? I sure do wish I could be there with you.
You and Vera must have had about the same luck on the “Chute the Chutes”
as we did on the Giant dips when the car jumped the track. Here’s hoping
you and L. will have a gay time Tuesday night. I am glad Lauretta
interested you in hiking --- go to it. You can bet we will go bike
riding, too, when I get back. Gee but I get tired of saying “when I get
back”. No danger of any hiking ever “killing” you. But don’t try any of
Lauretta’s tricks. She carries it too far ---- nothing is gained by
breaking one’s arch.

Also, hiking is not worth while unless you really do like it. I do hope
you will learn to swim. Did you get the wings O.K? How was the Lake? The
last time I was in was at Sheboygan. My folks would not treat you very
nice unless they liked you pretty well, and I am mighty glad they do,
but not a bit surprised.

What pleases me the most, though, is that Blanche likes you so much. She
writes that you “have wrapped yourself around her heart” and that “you
are a dear, sweet, Marie”. Blanche is no hypocrite and when she can say
that in such a sincere way, I know I am make no mistake in loving you.
Say how much does Blanche know anyway? She is one mighty fine sister and
comes next to you in my regards, so you see I am pretty fond of her.
Gee, but the postscript to your last letter, Sat. 11^(th), sure did stir
up a happy feeling here. I wonder if you write that way just to “cheer
me up.” Don’t do it again if that’s it. I do need to be cheered a little
though, for I am all out-o-luck. Starting with this morning I have take
my turn in the mess hall for a week, “slinging hash” to this crew of
Signal men. I don’t have to wash any dishes but have to push the broom
and mop and set the table etc.

All this from 5:15 A:M. until 7:15 P.M. Can you beat it? But then,
everyone has to take a shot at it, except the officers. At noon, George
Stock brought your letter down to me, but I didn’t get a chance to open
it until about 3:00P.M.

Can you imagine how anxious I was to read it? Maybe ----- but you don’t
know how happy I felt after I had read every word for the fourth time.
So please write everyday if you can----- at least until school starts.

The “lights out” bugle just blew and I had to go down in the basement to
finish this. I know this writing is awful ---Can you read it alright?

Yours,

Forrest