Extracts from Frank Slater's Letter (1918)

SLATER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 7/17/2010 at 08:52:21

The Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) Aug. 20, 1918

THE SOLDIERS' MAILBAG

Extracts From Frank Slater's Letter.

Pauillae, France, July 27, 1918

This was my Sunday to work and work I did and am too tired to be able to write a very interesting letter, and about all I have to say is that I am well and as happy as conditions will permit. I sure would love to receive a good long letter from you folks. It will be another month before I can expect one, but when you write tell me all the news if there happens to be any.

I have written scarcely any one since I have been here, except you folks and a letter to Rolfe, but I wish you would give my address to my friends or any one who would care to write and I will try and answer. After I get a little more toughened in I will feel a little more like writing.

This is a strange country and has strange customs, but it is not as interesting a place as I had imagined. The country around here is at least one hundred years behind the times, but it is worth thousands of dollars to a man to see it--that is, if he will profit by it, for he can then realize what a grand and glorious country he is living in at home. In the United States the poorest of the poor have a chance to rise, but here there are several classes and the class you are in you stay in.

I wish I had a camera here. I would like to bring back some pictures of the country. There is lots I would like to tell you, but I am afraid the censor would object, so I will have to wait until I come back. I want to make one more trip across the Atlantic and that is back to the old United States of America. She is good enough for me and if I ever have money enough to spend for touring, I will look over the United States.

Don't worry about me, for I am O.K., and if I leave here I will let you know.

With love to all, "Sammie."