Vineyard, Texas
November 3, 1918
Ben Knight
Co.D. 132, M.G. Bn.
A.P.O. 796, Amer.E.F.
Dear Ben,
How are you spending this Sunday? Are you well? I am fine but am anxious to hear from you again. Mother wrote me they had not heard from you and wanted to know if I had. The second and last letter I got from you was written the 6th of September. Why do we have such retched service? I never get my mail.
You know we have not forgotten you. This makes, I don't know how many letters I've
written you, one or more every week though. And I know you have written me although I am so unfortunate in getting them. Have you not heard from home yet? I sent you a picture you asked for long ago, did you not get it?
I doubt whether you can read this as I am using the dregs of my ink. There is none here but I've ordered some from another town. I like the people very well, but can't get a thing I want from the one utility store. People very backward, except early marriages.
Went to a party across the street from where I am staying. There were five school teachers there. They had all dismissed their schools on account of the influenza. There were about fifty there although I have from ten to twelve a day on account of "flu" scare. They seem to think they can't think they can't catch "flu" at the store either, from the way they sit around there every day. Some people will die running from diseases. M.W.school did not close nor any of the country schools near M.W.
These people, although we have never had a case in Willow Point, wanted to close my school the first week. I told them if I went home I'd stay so they did not stop it.
Blanche has an ideal place. They dance, go to church, did not stop school and in fact are splendid people.
What did you do Halloween? About fifty boys & girls met at the store and went on an arousing round. As every one was masked we had rather lively times keeping our partners. Every one thought the boy I was with, was a girl until we unmasked.
We had a grand time visited every one in town. Aroused a newly married couple and misplaced every thing we found lying around.
Mr. Shawn, my assistant, who lives next door would not get up, so after the third visit we decorated the neighboring trees and telephone posts with his chairs, lifted pigs from pen, took off iron gate and scattered their belongings in general, we left him him in peace.
The day before Mr. Tate, my landlord, hauled two loads of melon from the farm. Knowing the pranks of "witches" I carried about two dozen into the house and the crowd got the rest. We ate everything offered us from cake to peanuts and turnips. Got to bed about 11 o"clock.
Do you ever have any rain in France? It's tried to rain every week since I've been here. Cloudy now.
On account of "flu" scare we had no Sunday school this morning. Just finished cutting last of our melons, and are going to visit farm this afternoon I guess. Have you had the "flu"? Brian, Richard and Jack have been rather sick with it. Have been off work about two weeks now but will work Monday I think.
Had a letter from Jack yesterday. Says Brother & he are coming to see me some pretty Sunday.
I have not heard from people on river in some time, in fact, since I left but have written Mother, asking about them. So I shall write you about your "river friend" soon.
Ben please send me a picture of yourself, one I can tell who it is? James did promise me one but I left before he brought it.
Ben do you ever see a paper from home. I will send you some clippings if I ever get another paper from home.
No, I have not been car riding lately but the last ride I ran a wheel off, but you hurry and come home & we'll run four wheels off.
I am waiting patiently for you to bring that souvenir you promised Blanche and I.
I am sure you "enjoy" those French wines. Sorry you can't like cooking of French. Don't you dare quit look for mail or you will get so many letters & you can not answer them all.
No dear boy we will never forget that 6th of July and the 4th, never. Nor you having that hot, dusty walk. I shall pay "Mug" Tomilin for that yet. Nor will I ever forget the seventh of July. If it had not been my birthday I would have seen you that last time.
I got a ten page letter from Lovie Daniel. He is still in San Diego, been quarantined for a month. Is coming home as soon as it is lifted. In radio school, can take 7 words per. Min. and send 7. We are rather proud of our boys you know.
Have you been sick or had any accidents or are you allowed to tell.
I've written so much now you won't have time to read it, if you can make it out. I am sure I cannot myself ten minutes later,
Please, please write to me more often Ben or I will know you have forgotten me. Lots and lots of love and best wishes from a lonesome little "professor", Mabel