Sunday March 3, ’18.

Dear Marie,

The fruit cake came this morning with your letter. Gee, but it sure
tastes good although it was a little fresh to cut. Sheridan, the one who
took Stock’s place, got the first piece and he said “Gosh, Bassett’s
cakes are getting better and better.” I am not kidding you either for
“them’s my sentiments,” too. So you see Blanche is going to have to go
some to beat your cooking, according to the impartial verdict of those
that help eat “Bassett’s cakes.” I will send you further instructions by
radio.

I got the book O.K. and while I don’t sing and don’t care much about
singing I am going to keep it for the fellows at the “Y” to use. Marie
you are doing everything for me that I can think of and I will always
remember what I owe you too. The way in which you answered the questions
about Rockford made me feel a great deal better -- for I have often
thought of it. Don’t think for a minute that you have ever offended me
in the slightest way.

I do think it was wrong for me to kiss you when we said goodbye
Thanksgiving – for your sake – because you know I can’t always call you
my little girl. Things like that make me love you all the more Marie,
but I must think ahead a few years. If you don’t understand me perfectly
please say so.

I am mighty glad that you have broken that habit and to say I am more
proud of you hardly tells it all. I will send the hair in a few weeks.

I wouldn’t advise you to even think of getting a rifle at all. My rifle
cost me $16.00. The marble tang peep sight cost $3.00 extra. And an
extra snap-shooters disc for this sight cost 50 cents more so by the
time I was all set for action, the gun cost about $20.00. Of course
fairly good guns can be bought much cheaper but I wouldn’t even think of
getting one at any price. Forget it. As for care, the small .22 cal.
bore requires more careful cleaning than any other rifle.

One of our men was just recently discharged because of nervousness. He
just left for his home in Baltimore, Maryland, last week.

Well I will send that radiogram later. F.

Please excuse this awful attempt at writing will surely do better next
time.