No 66.
France
5/4/18

Dear Dad,

The letters have been coming in for a week past, and I have three of yours, while a couple of Feb & early March from Mother, have come in the last couple of days. Our grand rush is over for a day or two and I will have more time to write.

Funny that those two fern pots should go almost to-gether, after sticking so long. Suppose I will miss a few of the old land marks, when I do get back. Did that hall clock you sold Curtiss, pan out all right? Often wondered about it. If I were you, I would try Smith Patterson for some Zenith watches, they are at least as good as, and I think, all round, better than the Elbico, and were very little more expensive. It is just possible that they are no more expensive now than the present Elbico price. I would of course have the understanding that no one else was to get them. They have a peach of a line & luminous & other variations. The large run of the better watches, here, are Omega or Zenith. All the others seem to be very hard to get & they are practically all brass plates & quite good looking movements. I also notice many of them are stamped “Swiss Made” or “Nickle Case” or something of similar nature in English, which looks as if they had been made for American or English trade. I have also seen some thoroughly well made small stuff, nickle plates (usually), without expansion, Breguet overcoil and fine escpts, & jewels (usually 15). The trouble is that none of this stuff bears a makers name, either on dial or plates.

I sure hope Uncle Will will be all right in that concern, the big trouble will be the commercial standing of Germany, after the war. If peace puts her in the old commercial standing – which is not at all impossible, in spite of all the talk to the contrary – a good many of these concerns will be out of luck. Then again, there will be a shortage of male labor in Germany & likely a rush to other countries after the war.

According to the papers, there is a quite a time in Quebec, over Conscription. They just want to give those beggars a few inches of cold steel to think over, right now, because it means war there sooner or later.

I was surprised to know there was a drop of [?], as I thought Nov. & Dec, being so good, would pull the year ahead. Of course, the first six months were pretty rotten. Now if, the Huntley Co. does not rebuild, it will be another knock. Funny the luck we have with these American concerns, they have too many fires.

You did not mention having the car painted before. I hope they make a decent job of it. The temperature is the main thing & hope they kept it even.

Doc. Weston is or was, back in Blighty. Had a letter from the major this morning, written on the second, & he said that on Easter Monday he had Doc, Geo Hollier, Arthur Pratt & Charlie Campbell’s boy & a host of others in. That must be Col. Pratt of the Elgins, but I thought he went back to Canada. Believe me, Doc was lucky to get over when he did & I hope he is able to stay over there, I guess Geo. Hollier, has a pretty good thing over there, it was certainly a lucky move for him.

Good thing Miss S. was able to get away for a holiday. Hope she had a good rest. Does she use her glasses now? The axis of the strong cylinder, might require changing (and the strength as well) by this time. I really thought in ‘16, That I would be home by May ’18 & I began to think so a couple of weeks ago too, but I guess not. Too bad Fritzie didn’t try to drive on for another week.

The post is coming jake & I don’t think I miss any Observers, altho some take two or three months to come, but there is always news in them.

I would like a box of Woodbury soap (3 cakes), have Kim send it, or send it in one of my boxes & would also like peanut & maple butter if it is to be had.

Love to all,
Your affectionate son,
Worth.

[note added to final page; not Worth's handwriting:]

Hamilton 4.20

My Dear Miriam

I am in Nertas room awaiting her. I have looked at coats & skirts. Since I came & see a coat or two I like better than this one will take Nerta over as soon as she comes. Can only get a poplin skirt, which she may like well see. If Nerta likes the other two coats better than this one. I may send one over to you & this one. If you like this best – keep it. If not return at once. If I only return Eaton’s you may keep it or both for something you like better. Will see when Nerta comes or time will be to short when she does come we will have a [?] such. I will not have time to write any. Nerta does not like the coat at all So will return it & you do what you like with it. But get one. We must go.

[note added to top of first page by Worth's father:]

Friday Evg.

Dear Nert just red this & will post it to you to-night, give up it to Mother when she arrives. Am wel. Hope you are better,

Dad