Dear Folks,

      Well I tho't I would drop you a few lines today. Well how is everybody back home? I am fine & dandy, but on kitchen police today.

      Just got thru' peeling potatoes. I sure had some big ones to peel. They were bigger than my hands put together. We sure had a lot of dishes to wash this noon, but don't expect so many tonight as we are going to have Slum for supper & we don't use many then.

      Well I suppose you are planning on a good time the 4th. We are going to be in the parade in San Fransisco, any way that is what I heard. And in the afternoon there is a field meet for all enlisted men, at the Golden Gate Park. Ord Leapley is the only Coleridge boy to enter so far. He is in the Shot Put, and I believe he'll will win too.

      I just received a letter from Joe & Ruby & by the way they talk you sure must be having some awful storms back there. That is something we never have out here, but of course this is not as good a place as there. I wouldn't trade one acre of that for 5 here, because a fellow has to fly high if he lives here. And most every time I go downtown I see nothing but auto wrecks or cripples of some sort.

      But the people are getting tender hearted toward the soldiers now a day's. They have opened a big hall for rest room & reading room for us. I haven't been there yet.

      They also have free banquets & dances too. But of course that turn up there nose at us, but them kind don't count much any way.

      I understand that we are going on the rifle range Thurs. & believe me I am going to do my best. I had a rifle issued me & it sure is a dandy and I am keeping it looking good too. I have passed every guard mount O. K. with it.

      Haven't been called down yet on my appearance & don't intend to either.

      We were muster Sat. forenoon & will probably be paid arround the 7th or 8th.

      Oh yes, I heard from Pete Jordan. He sure wrote a dandy letter. He said he had played dad a game of Euchre.