France
July 17, 1918
Dear Niece:
I will now answer your welcome letter. I will say, Francis, that you write a fine letter for a girl your age. I expect you are enjoying your vacation now and everything is lovely in sunny California. I am glad to hear that your school has adopted some French children and that you take such an interest in their welfare. The American people are doing some great work and France will never forget America’s aid which she has so freely given.
We are all hoping for the day to come when the world will again be at peace and safe for free people to live in.
I hope you are getting along fine with your music. I would like to hear you pound off a few notes as music is something we don’t hear much of over here except when a bunch of soldiers get started off on, “It’s a long way to Tipperary” and “Hail, Hail the Gangs All Here,” and a few others that would make noise enough to jar down the Times Building, and make the animals out at East Lake Park think they had lost their voices.
Well, Francis, I guess this is about all I can write this time. Hope this finds you all well and happy.
With love I remain your uncle,
Robert E. Schalles
1st Amb Co.
American E F.
via New York