Dec 15, 1918
(Postmarked December 15th, 1918)
My dear Myron:-
I received your letter last Wednesday and you can’t imagine how pleased we all were to hear from you and to know you were all right at the time the armistice was signed — we were getting a LITTLE bit anxious for we thought you might have got to the lines and we kept hearing that the fighting the last few day was “fierce”. Well it’s all right now and we won’t have to worry about the war any more. Have you seen Corporal Pfau lately? His sister told Jen today that he had been sent to the front but before he arrived the armistice was signed. You are right about the “Thanksgiving” in this country — what a rejoicing especially in the houses which have sent a loved one across. But it makes my heart ache to think of the ones who will have to watch the homecoming and reunions of others and think of the boys who never WILL come back. It is DREADFUL but they couldn’t be given in a more glorious cause. There is a woman on Ed’s telephone line — Mrs. Betts — whose son is across and the morning that the armistice was signed she got the word about five o’clock. She called Ed’s folks right up to tell them — said she was so glad she just had to tell SOME one! And after all, when you and the rest write home of the conditions over there we realize that we in this country haven’t begun to know the meaning of this terrible war. Almost the only hardship that WE have had to endure is the hard one of seeing our loved ones go so far away into the conditions that we know very little about but about which we hear such terrible things and we know at the BEST, that they could not escape a certain amount of danger and suffering. Well we won’t think of it now but I think this is going to be the most blessed Christmas we have ever know even if we can’t have you all at home.
We were out doing our Xmas shopping yesterday after noon and while it’s rather a problem this year, I always enjoy the time — every one is jolly and good natured even though they may be tired in some way you can feel the Christmas spirit in every crowd. It’s sort of fun I think. Ransom saw Dora Yarter and she was asking about you. WHY is it that all the girls inquire for you? I begin to feel that I’m only important as the sister of Lt. M.J. Whittemore.
Ransom came back from New York Wednesday after noon. He phoned me from Albany and I met him in Ft. Edward. He had a good time but hardly stayed long enough to get a good idea of the CITY. Monday night he went to the Hippodrome and Tuesday night he heard Harry Lauder sing and speak — said it was fine.
Guess I’ll have to call this off for now, as I want to write Edith a little letter. She is sick you know, something about the glands of the neck instead of purifying the blood has sent the poison matter through the whole system. The Dr. has ordered her to bed for a whole month with treatment. I hope it effects a cure but John and her mother are quite worried about her.
Our schools are closed again as we are having a second out break of Influenza in Argyle. I hardly think it is going to prove so serious this time though.
Lots of love
Minnie