World War I Collection

easily have been — It happened we suppose at that Washington game — I will never forget that moment when they manipulated his head & neck & I thought [underlined] it was broken —

Write soon dearest — We long to hear from you — There has been no news since from Norman Bates or Richard Bates or Lesley Bates —

Keep well & tell us what you need & perhaps we can get it — I have fixed your other salt towel & will send it in a day or two.

Fondest love from us all Father Jocelyn Bates & me Your loving mother

be sent to France you would need all [underlined] those things & while I [underlined] would like to make all for you all [underlined] yet socks alone would keep me pretty busy; after I get the sweaters made – We sent Dick a ready made sweater for his birthday as there was not time to make one – we thought he was in Atlantic Waters "& needing them at once" [inserted above the line], but he was still in Pacific at last letters.

Have you written to thank Norman Bates "& Helen S. Sargent Bates" [inserted above the line] for the pretty Xmas handckerchef [handkerchief] – or Richard Bates for his birthday – Dick has been full [underlined] Lieutenant since Oct. 15th but has only just found it out! Is not that good.

Bull Lion is expected [underlined] today. Everybody sends love to you – The Watermans Lions Halls etc – Fondest love from Father Jocelyn Bates & me – your loving mother

R. H Bates

[written vertically on left side:] Dicks address is USS "Cincinnati" c/o P.master New York.

727 Paru St., Alameda, Cal., Jan. 21, 1918.

[embossed coat of arms in center of page]

Dear Edward:

I meant to write before but have not. No apologies to offer although I really have been awaiting the verdict charged against my neck. I suppose mother has told you all about it. I guess I'll have the dog collar on Wednesday. We received several letters from Richard Bates today with

[top center edge:] 2.

quite a little news. He has been promoted to a Lieut. Senior Grade. It dates back to October 15, 1917 and Dick only new [knew] of it the other day.

Don't say anything but Richard Bates is in love and is "Engaged" to Abigail Bowden of San Diego. She lives at 2140 Alameda Drive — S. Diego. She used to go back to school at — Castle where Les Brown was for some time. Rather a fine girl. Look her up. I am sure she's a fine girl as Dick is pretty keen on what

February 2, 1918.

Dear Edward,

All the crew are at dinner with Sargents'. Being wise and homesick for Auburn, I chose not to go. If you ever get an opportunity to live as closely to a bunch of people as I have, teaching school, just you try it and see how you miss them all when you leave. All this week I have longed for an aeroplane not for France but for Auburn. Alameda is most funereal. I feel like a lost dog here and I go to see no playmates as of old. I have some wonderful ones in Auburn who have made me believe in Heaven!

Your letter to mother speaks of Richard Bates being "smitten" by two girls. Don't use that word. It's belitteling and cynical. As it is mother writes Dick that she thinks so and so is not good enough for him. Your point of view just encourages her all the more.

Don't ever assume that the Bates' are too good for mortal people. If Richard Bates was sensitive about it, he might listen to mother and actually believe that he had just been "smitten" and that after all he [underlined] should never fall for any girl. That's a bad business. I'm going to tell Richard Bates that altho [although] I don't know these girls that I know he will not act unwisely; that whoever he becomes engaged to will be worthy of him and he ought to adjust himself accordingly. I will tell him that nothing