Sunday, April 21st
(No envelope with postmark)
My dear Brother:-
How did you like the weather today? It has rained and rained but we didn’t mind it as we’ve been over to Ed’s and were too busy visiting to notice it. We were ALL ready to start this morning when Dr. Stillman called us and told us to keep our children out of school for a week. One of the school girls was here Wed. night to stay with Ruth and was taken sick Thu. morning so she had to be taken home — taken sick here before daylight and it has proved to be scarlet fever. Three of the children, Ruth, Louise and Leslie are very thoroughly exposed and the Dr. seems to think there is not much chance of their escaping it but there was JUST a chance for the other three so I’ve sent them up to their grandmother’s. Well, we’ll hope they won’t have it and if they do that it will be light.
I’m going to send you a copy of the applications that have to be made out to get a soldier home on a furlough for farm work. I was going to tell you that Ransom would gladly put in an application for you if you wanted us to but this scarlet fever business has upset all that. However, I’m sure Bert or Edwin would be glad of the chance — and we will if the s.f. don’t develop or we get over it in time. Ed wanted me to tell you that he has his men already and is afraid that the gov’t might think he wasn’t entitled to any more. Look the thing over any way and let us know what you think of it. Just remember we’re here ready to back you up in anything you want.
I had a long letter from Aunt Jennie the other day but she said she had been writing to you so I suppose she told you about all that she did me. She can’t bear to think of Howard’s going and I don’t blame her. I’m afraid Evelyn is small comfort to her mother.
I saw John a few minutes last night — and we were in Hudson Falls. He seems very well and very much interested in war. Well, we all are, but I can’t feel anxious to have any more of my friends get into it.
The Kingsbury Red Cross has a small circle of workers in Adamsville which meets Wed. afternoons. It met at Mother Nichols last Wed. and as I can�t get to Argyle work very well I went up there and worked with them. They were to meet here this week but on account of the scarlet fever I can�t have them this time here.
Well the rest are all in bed and guess I’d better go too. If we should have scarlet fever here I don�t know as they would let me send out letters so don�t think it strange any time you don�t hear from me.
I received your letter last week and was surprised to hear from you.
Lovingly
Minnie
In regard to that furlough business — Ed was talking with Dr. Stillman (you know he is one of the exemption board of the south district) about it and he seemed to think you might get it all right.
M.C.N.
FARM FURLOUGHS FOR ENLISTED MEN
Making it possible to materially help in handling crops
Definite and exceedingly helpful action has been taken by the war department looking toward relieving the farm labor situation during the coming crop season. After weeks of discussion, and volumes of testimony offered by the agricultural press and others interested in the farmers’ proposition, it is now possible for American Agriculturist to definitely announce in detail the plan of operation. Herewith printed are the latest rules from the War department with regard to granting furloughs to enlisted men to engage in agriculture. This will at once claim the attention of many thousands of farmers who need just such relief, in their laudable purpose to help with the war as here indicated. The general order of the war department, No 31, is to “make use of the authority to grant furloughs to enlisted men, to enable them to engage in agriculture during the present farming season.” In so far as this will not interfere with military training at home or the conduct of the war. The definite thing to do is to at once study over these specifications, make up your mind what you want and then take action along the line of the instructions here printed:
