Oct 7, 1918 From Nell

                                                                                                 

                                                                                                   New York City

                                                                                                    Oct 7/18

My Dear Hilda,

        Just finished getting Louis off to work and Roberta to school and Chubby still in bed, so have a little time to answer your last letter.  I am glad to hear Clarence is felling good and taking on weight.  That is one think army life does for our boys, develops them physically and then too the system and discipline they get is such a change from what they have been use too, that they all seem to improve from it.  Our last Sat. we had quite a large Liberty Loan Parade here and I took the kiddies down to see it.  I couldn't help admire the boys who marched both soldiers and sailors how well trained they marched and how splendid they looked and yet there was something sad about it too to think what they are doing and giving up and we who are left behind sacrificing nothing compared to them, but we can only hope it won't be for long until they come back.  I am so glad to hear Hilda that you and Olive are doing so well with the rail-road and the increase in salaries has meant so much to a lot of people who have been in the rail-road service for years and only being paid now what they should have had years ago, that is another thing the government has done by taking over the roads.  Hilda you spoke of my getting you a serge dress wholesale, I will be glad to do it for you if you think I could select something to suit and then of course if there are any alterations you would have to have it done as they don't alter clothes when you buy them wholesale..  Would you take a sixteen year old size.  I would have to guess on the fit and as to price I think I could get you a nice dress between $18 or $20 that would retail for $30.  I bought one for a friend of mine here for $18.50 and it was a lovely quality of serge so if you think I could please you as to style I will be glade to do it for you or if you could take a run down here over a weekend say you left Fri night ask for Sat. off and leave Sun. night you could select it yourself that is if they will give you the passes you can let me know either way you decide Hida how did Laura get over her operation and how is she, tell her I think of her often and will write her sometime if you send me her address.  You said in your letter you had taken a cold.  You must be careful as colds are very treacherous now since the epidemic of Spanish Influenza is going around.  We have a great number here and they are increasing daily it begins with a cold and develops into pneumonia.  They are taking every precaution to fight it here on account of it spreading so rapidly.  I had a long distance call from Norma Beck last Sat. night and she put Alice on the wire, it seemed so good to talk to her so near and yet so far.  You know Norma operates long distance and calls me every once in a while, she said Elmer has been drafted and gone to camp.  Do you hear how Homer is?  I think he is on the firing line the last I heard.  Delma doesn't write to me I suppose she is too busy.  I must close now as 

Chubby just woke up and is waiting to be dressed.  hoping you and the girls are all well with love and best wishes from Louis and I.

                                        Write Soon  As Ever

                                                                Your Cousin

                                                                    Nell

P.S. If you can't come down soon, try and plan to take a trip here over the holidays if you can arrange to get a little time off, also while you have the opportunity to get the passes and bring Olive too tell her she hasn't answered my last letter.