Charles E. H. Bates Family Correspondence, 1899-1930 - 3

Mr. Cekell has told us he has been over there twice [underlined] lately in the night frightened the maids --- we found the basement door open. We believe that he has learned to open it himself so we have put a catch on the outside!! If he gets much more troublesome I suppose we will be obliged to present him to some circus or zoo though we are as fond of him as ever. More so I think because he makes us laugh no matter how blue we feel otherwise!

The war news is very [double underlined] good, if

it will just keep on the way a while longer. Major Delinan went across so perhaps you might see him.

Dorothy Thompson Mayo sent a snap shot of "Roy" Matheson ["Roy" is underlined] who was Col [colonel] in Charge of Camp Laurel where they are or were. He was there only a very [underlined] short time & then went to Chicamaya [ Chickamauga ] --- Camp Forrest & expects [underlined] to go overseas very soon. [Geo?] took command after he left --- & she sent this snapshot which is fair she did not know he was any relative of ours until after he had left! --- Mrs Waltman & Edith brought me over the little few to show me --- & gave it to me a Major "Someone" is with hun Us Captain Hadley --- Your Grandmother

was very glad to get your Red Cross card. She told Mr Anchutz who was their rector & is now a chaplain jour "overseas" about you in case you might be near each other. They say he is a fine man -- We did [underlined] have lovely weather but it is cold & bleak now & yesterday The Lindermans went up to the ranches yesterday so we know that Jocelyn was pleased. I met Dr- - -The one who operated on you in the st car [streetcar] the other day he says he is awaiting a call he has offered his Services in the Navy. I can't remember his name the one who did your mastoid operation! He was interested to hear of your having gone over & expects to get in

very soon.

I told you of Hatch & Lewis did I not we hope to have them over again before they go away which will be soon. Wiliford Lion is expected tomorrow I think. I hope he can give us good accounts of dear Nor, but as Nor was in hospital of Cana-Kona when he wrote a week or less ago --- it is unlikely I suppose that "Bull." could have seen him they think it unlikely that he could got have to get over so far --- the hospital is a few miles out of Cavite I believe --- I wish Helen were with Nor & she does too - but there is to be no September transport & unless she goes

by a liner she does not know when [underlined] she can get there --- & even the liners are booked up to the last of November she says. I don't know when she will get there at this rate. She is not very well herself you know & her family & the Dr dont quite like her going alone.

Au revoir for this time dearest --perhaps in a day or too [two] there will be a letter from you I "hope so" [underlined] father & I do little else but watch for mail -- I mean we think [underlined] of little else ---

Fondest love & prayers from us all always. Your loving Mother

R. Helen Bates