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he earth； like falling on the ball； and I always seemed to fall where the cinder path crossed the parade ground。 We got back in time to clean ourselves for dinner at noon。 And then practised firing at targets。 At two we were drilled as cavalry in extended order。 We galloped to a point； advanced on foot； were driven back by an imaginary enemy； and remounted。 We galloped as a squadron； and the sight was really remarkable when you think the men had been together only four days。 But the horses had been doing it for years。 All I had to do to mine was to keep on。 He knew what was wanted as well as did the Captain。 After that we put on our packs and paraded at retreat to the band。 Then had supper and listened to a lecture。 I ache in every bone； muscle； and joint。 But the riding has not bothered me。 It is only hurling the damned rifle at myself。 At nine I am sound asleep。 It certainly is a great experience； and； all the men are helping each other and the spirit is splendid。 The most curious meetings come off and all kinds of men are at it from college kids to several who are great grand fathers。 Russell Colt turned up and was very funny over his experiences。 He said he saluted everybody and one man he thought was a general and stood at attention to salute was a Pullman car conductor。 The food is all you want； and very good。 I've had nothing to drink； but sarsaparilla； but with the thirst we get it is the best drink I know。 I have asked to have no letters forwarded and if I don't write I hope you will understand as during the day there is not a minute you are your own boss and at night I am too stiff and sleepy to write。
All love to you。
DICK。
DEAREST：
It is now seven…thirty； and I have had twelve busy hours。 They made me pass an examination as though for Sing Sing； then a man gave me a gun that at first weighed eight pounds and then twenty。 He made me do all sorts of things with it； such as sentries used to do to me。 Then I was given the gun to keep； and packs； beds； blankets； and I made myself at home in a tent； then I was moved to another tent with five other men。 Then I got a horse and they galloped us up and down a field for two hours。 I lost ten pounds。 Then we were marched around to a band。 I had a sergeant on either side of me； so I did not go wrong； OFTEN。 Then； aching in every bone and with my head filled with orders and commands； I got into the lake and escaped。 You can believe I enjoyed that bath。 It certainly is a fine thing； and I am glad I enrolled （for every one has been as nice as could be）； but I miss you and Hope terribly。 It seems years since I saw you。 I am going to my cot quick。 It is now eight o'clock； and I feel like I had been beaten in a stone crusher。 Kiss Hope's foot for me。
Your loving husband；
DICK。
Monday。 DEAREST ONE：
I got such a beautiful letter from you！ With pictures of Hope playing with the Bunny。 It is the best picture yet。 I carry it next to my heart because you made it； because it is of her。 And she sits up now？ Well； I will miss the big clothes…basket。 I loved to see her in it。 Years ago； when I left home； she was trying to crawl out of it。 What you tell me of herknowing what you mean when you say 〃Kitty〃 and 〃Bunny〃is wonderful。 How good it will be！ You must come close under my arm； and tell me every little thing。 I feel so much better now that we have broken into the last week； and are on the home stretch。 We have broken the backbone of the long absence； and； the first thing you know； I'll be telephoning to have you meet me at White Plains。
This is me sewing up a hole in my breeches。 The socks are drying on the line； my rubber bath is on the right。 I am now going to Canada。 But I'll be back in half an hour； it's only 200 yards distant。 All the folks here are French； and the signs are in French。 Last place we halted I bought lumberman's socks to wear at night。 I sleep very well； for I buy my raincoat full of hay from the nearest farmer； and sleep on that。 Today we had another 〃battle。〃 It began at 7。30 and ended at one o'clock。 We were kept going all that time； taking 〃cover〃 behind railroad embankments and stone walls and in plowed fields； finally ending with a bayonet charge。 I killed so many I stopped counting。
Don't let Hope forget her father。 Better put on a wrist…watch and my horn spectacles； and hold her the wrong way； so she will be reminded of her Dad。
Good…night； my dearest one。 You will never know how terribly I miss you and love you； and want you in my arms； and you holding Hope so that I can have all my happiness in one big armful of all that is good。
YOUR LOVING HUSBAND。
Wednesday。 DEAREST ONE：
The Vitagraph people came today。 They have a great film to stir people to preparedness called 〃The Battle Cry of Peace。〃 It shows New York destroyed by Germans。 They took pictures of several of the better…known men showing 〃them〃 preparing。 I was taken cleaning my rifle； and； as the captain was passing； I asked him to get in the picture with me and be shown instructing me。 He was delighted； but right in the middle of the picture he 〃inspected〃 my barrel。 I had not cleaned it； and he forgot the camera； and gave me the devil。 You can imagine how the crowd roared； and the camera director man was delighted。 I wanted it retaken showing the captain patting me on the back。
Roosevelt turned up today； and was very nice。 Martin Egan came with him and the British Naval Attache； and they have asked me to dine at a real table at Hotel Champlain with two other men。 It will be fine to eat off china。 The 〃hike〃 begins Friday； and we sleep each night on the ground； but the country we march through is beautiful。 All that counts is getting the days behind me and getting you in my arms。 Doing one's 〃bit〃 for one's country is right； but as the man said； 〃God knows I love my country and want to fight for her； but I hope to God I never love another country。〃 Good…night； dear； dear one！ How wonderful it will be to see and hear you again。 Kiss Hope for her Dad。
RICHARD。
Saturday。 DEAREST：
This is writing with all the love； but with difficulties。 I am sitting on a log and the light is a candle。 Today we had our first fight。 It happened the squad of eight men I am in was sent in advance； and I was 100 yards in front； so I was the first to come in touch with the scouts of the Red Army； and I killed a lot。 My squad was so brave that we all got killed THREE TIMES。 But as soon as the umpire rode away we would come to life； and go on fighting。 Finally； he took us prisoners； and made us sit down and look on at the battle。 As we had been running around and each carrying a forty…pound pack； we were glad to remain dead。 But we have declared that nothing can kill us tomorrow but asphyxiating gas。 I have terrible nightmares for fear something has happened to one of you； and then I trust in the good Lord； and pray him to make the time pass swiftly。
Good…night； and all the love and kisses for you both。
RICHARD。
On October 19； 1915； Richard sailed on the Chicago for France and his second visit to the Great War。 He arrived at Paris on October 30； and shortly afterward visited the Western front at Amiens and Artois。 He also interviewed Poincare； and through him the French President sent a message to the American people。 At this time my brother had received permission from the authorities to visit all of the twelve sectors of the French front under particularly advantageous conditions； and was naturally most anxious to do so。 However； through a misunderstanding between the syndicate he represented and certain of the newspapers using its service； he found it advisable； even although against his own judgment； to go to Greece； and to postpone his visit to the sectors of the French front he had not already seen。 On November 13 he left Paris bound for Salonica。
On Way to France； Oct。 18； 1915。 DEAREST ONE：
You are much more brave than I am。 Anyway； you are much better behaved。 For all the time you were talking I was crying； not with my eyes only； but with ALL of me。 I am so sad。 I love you so； and I will miss you so。 I want you to keep saying to yourself all the time；