Dear Mother and Dad:-
No mail today but suppose you have not recieved an answer to your letter but a few days ago. I wrote day before yesterday. I wrote Hazel a few days ago in regards to recieving pen and watch. But suppose she is kept rather busy doing house cleaning. Well today we had a regular "fall" day. It was cloudly and cold all day. It felt as if winter was returning. But suppose we will have weather again shortly. How is it at home. Guess you are all roasting to death with the heat. I took the second class gunners examination this morning, but don't

know if I passed or not. I guess we will know in about a week or two. Here's hoping that I've passed, not only for the honor of it, but it brings two dollars more every month. I recieved a dandy box of candy yesterday from a telephone operator. I don't know if you ever heard me talking about her but I used to talk to her ever the lines, working at the phone office. She is the night toll operator at Waterloo 20 also I have recieved several letters ans se sure is an interesting writer, Like mostly all they wish to know is how a soldiers' life or days are spent. I often try to remember that Davenport operators name but can't recall it. Her first name was Ellen but what was her second name. I can't remember or her house address.

How did your "Red Cross" work turn out. I often wish I had one of them they sure have all of the soldiers needs for repairing or mending the clothes. Whish is something I have not. Talk about your fogs, we thoughtwe had pretty bad ones at home, but they ought to see the fog that comes up around here. Maybe it will be crystal clear and then all of a sudden you can't see your hand in front of you. There is a heavy fog out here and a fog is sure bellowing a fellow one has to get used to an awful noise, when he lives where a fog haze blows. Ray Wellie and the rest of the Dubique boys are paid and dandy and we are always together. But Ray is on guard duty tonight and it seems it that it wither rains

or something ever time the 1st company goes on guard. But I have struck it rather lucky of late. I guess Ethel wonders why I never answered that letter of hers but don't really know why myself, but will get down to it one of these days. The Y.M.C.A by Poillord has erected a new building here in the fort so I've had the previlliage of using the writing room. We sure havea dandy bunch of fellows in the company. A fellow doesn't have to go out of the barracks for a good time. Every night they are either having a boxing match for the fun of it. I got a good knock the other night. But it's all for fun and when a fellow does get hit, it isn't very hard.

So when ever it isn't pleasant out, we arrange to stage our own pastimes. Tell Mother thanks for having wrote to me and go down in the "Day Room" and pay checkers or either watch them box. Will write tomorrow or next day. Write often. Remainings
your loving son, Lewis P.S. When you send that stuff of mine, write so I will be able to know when I will get it. I often wish I had a ring here as most of the fellows have their rings and there's no possiblity of anybody stealing it, if a fellow always has it on.