Sept. 9, 1917

Dear Marie,

If any girls’ letters could fill a man with enthusiasm and ambition,
your’s surely do. You are every bit the girl that I have always believed
you were and I know I need never have any case to doubt you. I know that
this war can’t last very much longer and I feel that I will surely come
back to you no matter how things go. Somehow, I can’t see the dark side
of anything anymore. Everything seems to come my way. I wonder if you
expect very much of a change in me when I come back. If you do you will
surely be disappointed because I’ll be the same boy that said “goodbye”
that Tuesday night. Marie are you sure you love me enough to give
yourself to me for all time? I should like to know just what you think
you know of me. That is something you can tell me when we see eachother
again. I am anxiously waiting for the fudges. Blanche sent me some more
but they go pretty fast. Sorry you had hard luck the first time. I just
got a mighty fine military wrist watch from Art Goss. It is sure some
watch – 15 jewel with Swiss movement, and luminous dial and hands.
Almost half of the men and all the officers have wrist watches; no fobs
are allowed to be worn. I guess we get paid tomorrow so I will get the
Vest Pocket camera. Corporal Westrum and I went out taking pictures this
afternoon. If they are good I will send some. Westrum is acting as Co.
clerk at present and he says they expect to hear from Washington what is
to be done with photographers very soon now. I don’t want to leave here
very soon as this is sure a great place. Yesterday the Vth section moved
into a separate room of our own. We have got a fine sergeant. He cusses
us up and down during the foot drill period but I guess we deserve it.
Friday 5 other men & I were detailed to round up 11 new mules and lead
them to the A-6^(th) stables. They were loose in a little half acre
corral and believe me we had our troubles. They were a wild bunch and it
took the six of us over an hour to get the ropes on them. I’m glad there
are no mules in the wagon section. Yesterday morning I had my first very
close call. When we groom the horses we take them from the corral and
tie them a yard apart to a chain stretched taut between posts about four
feet high. I was brushing the hind legs of 1 of the new mules, he
suddenly plunged around sideways at me, kicking with both feet. I
stepped ahead just in time to miss the hoofs but was pinned in between
the picket chain & the mule. The chain caught me between the ribs and
the hip bone and the force of the blow doubled me up for a minute.
Friday afternoon another fellow from the Vth section went to the
hospital – more horse thumbprints. Take it from our truly, this lad is
going to watch his step.

I know just exactly how you felt about that sweater coat. It is yours
until I come back and Ethel had no right to urge you to loan it to her
after you refused it. I do not care if she wears it – but I want you to
do just as you want to. I do think your folks were wrong in making you
give the sweater to Ethel.

Well I suppose you will be back to school when this reaches you. If I
were you I would drop that piano playing at school. do your own work the
best you can and no more.

Yours,

Forrest.