This is the diary of Frank Luther Harper, a soldier of Battery "C" of the 322nd Field Artilery during the First World War. It was provided to me by his son, L H Harper. Most of the diary covers what transpired to him after the Armistice was signed, and his march into Germany and while he was statined there as an occupying force. It also includes parts of two letter written to his motehr. The first while statined in Germany after teh war was over, and the second was probably written while he was still in camp in Ohio.
Frank was a farmer and a coal miner. He served in Battery C, 322nd. Field Artillery during World War I. He was in Belgium, France and Germany. The following is a copy of Frank Luther Harper's diary from sometime after June 17, 1918 to May 16, 1919. It was copied from his orginal diary the way he wrote it as much as possible:Frank L. Harper War No. 2983185 Battery No. 258 Battery C.322.9 A. N. A. American Expeditionary Forces. Depree Laport France. I will never forget my 24th. birthday dinner. We were in the middle of the Atlantic and had Austialia jack rabbit for dinner. I did not take any on my plate. The stuff looked like red cats boiled up. We fired 11,052 shots at the Huns in all. Our Battery layed down a 10 min. barrage working off over 900 Dutch. That was one time with many others we put them over in the right time and right place. This was on the 26th of Oct. We wint in to our 4th and hope our last poseation on the eavening of 10th (Nov.) and were shelled quite a bit in the eavening and durning the night. On the morning of the 11th we began fireing on the Huns at a 5 min. eneravle and when I pulled the lavered on our 4th shot the Huns opened up on us with ther 77s. The first shell stracking very close to the muzzle of our piece and I shall never forget how close one of the srapnal passed by my head. At this instent the comand came down to seas fireing and that would be signing the "Armestest" at 11oclock and to get under cover. The Huns kept up ther shell fire until about 10 and about 10:30 our No. 2 gun squad wint out. Friday November 15, 1918 We had some drills this forenoon also a coady formation and all taking a good hot bath this afternoon. This has been a beautifull day as a whole and put in pretty good. Fired a few rounds being the last that was fired in our sector. Thare was quite a No. of horses killed and six of our men wounded but we hope not severley. Up until this date the 15th we have had a splended time. Not doing much only policeing up and making ourselves comfortable and etc. Yesterday we stood retreat the first time for many days. I also remember geting a bowling out for not having my cap on right. Saturday November 16, 1918 This is the first time I knew what day it was for quite a while. It has been a fine day. We got quite a bunch of new horses this morn. and got our harness in trim this afternoon and are now waiting to be issued emergancy rashions. As we expect to be on the road to morrow. 323rd pulled out to day and a bunch of us boys stole the march on them as we made one of ther Batterys mess line and got a good meal and it was great that we did as our kitchen only had sluns for dinner and it did not tast good. So I gave mine to a French prisoner and missed a formation in the ______. ______ did not get ________ the ________ ________for it. So I don't feel bad over getting in the 323rd mess line. Sunday November 17, 1918 We left Eccurey this morning at 8 and started for the Rhine we suppose. Seen quite a bit of pretty countary. It has been very cold all day. Seen our first Huns since we first came to the front. We landed in this little town Sorby this afternoon at 4 and are now in a fine room with a good fire. The best quarters we have had in well since I left home. Well I did not make the hike the best as I worked until 11 last night and my feet are all in. However will call it a good day . Thare is a small opery house in this town and we had a swell time tonight singing the band being present and small bunch of French savilions who were prisoners durning the war. They lived here all the time and looked like they have been badly cared for. Monday November 18, 1918 We pulled out of Sorby at 8 and landed in this T. at 3. Made 20 k. A fine day it has been. We passed tho many little towns (21) and seen some fine countary. Met some English soldiers who had been prisoners. They had made ther escape. This town is located in a beautifull valley with big R. R. The seccond we have seen for many days. A beautifull little river running down the valley . It shure is a beautifull place. Many savilions here. We have a room in a big fine old buildon. 8 of us in a room big anough for one. However if I wasent on gard could rest well as my feet is all in. I feel pretty tough. Havent had a shave for many days. It is snowing some this eav. Tuesday November 19, 1918 We have been cleaning up for inspection all day while I have been on guard. Where we was to have had inspection is the prettest place we have ever been in camp. It shure was good to see the vallie by the river. We would not miand staying here a while. Thare is an old castle here build 4 hundred years ago. A fine old place it is. I am thinking we will be here another day. My feet is very tired and am very sleepy. Have done 10 hours gard. I also shaved to day. My mustash was about three weeks old. Wednesday November 20, 1918 We pulled out of Grandville this morning a little unexpected. Passed through some of the best contary I have seen in Urape. Many manfacturing towns. Some afful pretty towns in vallies. Came over in Luxenburg this afternoon. Some fine looking people here. I like the countary fine. The people seem to be bash. Our quarter is in a fine large school house. The whole Regment are beded in here. We have gas lights. I met some girls who could talk English. The R. R. trains look good to us. This some lively town. Some kind of mains located here. Thursday November 21, 1918 We pulled out of Diperdon at 8 and passed over some of the best countary I could amiagin in Urape. Fine fields and pretty grain growing. We passed through a very pretty forriest. Many beautifull towns. Some beautifull ceder groves. Passed a few dirty little towns. Some very fine pikes. Old farmers plowing. I ate to many sammons for dinner. We finley pulled into Luxenburg. A fine place it is. We came around it and came down a beautifull vallie. The subbards of Luxenburg. One st. running down the vallie. Some fine place but our quarters wasnt very good very dirty. However it looks good to us. I am in a room with 6 other men. We have candles lights. A rock pile for a pillow. We are in the garrot loft. We had meat for supper it tasted like that. Came on down to A Batterys kitchen and old Sargent Hirse (Gustave B. Hirsch) gave me some mallsllis. The guys in here are talking about sore feet and mian is that away. We ended up on telling stories. Friday November 22, 1918 We only made 6 K today but not so bad as we made 30 yesterday. Passed some very beautifull contary. Pine groves. We came down in a beautifull vallie. Wint in camp. Our pictures were made for the moovies while we were cleaning matiel. A buitifull branch of water running down the vallie. They must use it for a mill. Our beds are in a big barn. We are in the loft on grain. A fine place we have. A small town I dont know its name. Saturary November 23, 1918 We were on the march earley this morning. Made about 15 K. I drove one of the teams in my secton. A crazzy team. We pulled in camp about 2 in a small town 5 miles from the German border. Came down another beautifull vallie. Came on a little river. I am on gard. Had beans for supper and B B with soap in it. We will get German rashions for a few days. I am in a saloon writing this. We are beded in another barn. A good place to sleep. Me and my buddies bed is under a copling pole of a wagon. Well they are playing the piano and having a big time here. But I am not drinking. I have to go on gard in 3 hrs. so I am now going to bed. We have a lictric light in our barn. I had a letter for Arther Smith to day. Sunday November 24, 1918 Still in this little town. Expect to be here for a short time. I wash up and took another shave this morn. It is pretty cold. The lather would freeze on my face. I had some time shaving. Have been sick all day. Ate to much shuger last night while I was on gard. We had service just before dinner. Cornel Warfield (Augustus B. Warfield) also made a talk. I have had a time with my team to day. Am in the same saloon I was last night. Quite a bunch writeing. My bed in the barn is only a few steps. It is a good one. I am going to it when I write some letters. This has been a very cold day. The sun shines pretty far away in the countary this time of the year. Monday November 25, 1918 It rained to day . We cleaned harnness and had a real old hard time in every way. Had hot cakes for dinner made of German flower. However with a good dinner it has been a hard day. I still have the ______. Tuesday November 26, 1918 We wint out on a practis position to day and another bad day it has been. Had stew on rethes willie for dinner. A little fun out of an old German. He did a lot of talking. Wednesday November 27, 1918 I thought yes. was a bad one but it was to day. We made rolls and had inspection by the Captin. Hittched to the carriages then unhitched. It raining all the time. Feeding the horses is some job with the noes bags. We scatered hay and held the horses to it for about 2 hours. I am on gard to night. Thursday November 28, 1918 It has been raining some to day. A rether dissagreeable Thinksgiving day it has been. We had gold fish for dinner. Every body was pretty hungary. I had some job grooming my horses this morning. We had a real good supper as our supplies came in. The Captin made a real good talk at retreet time and dissmissed us. Did not sleep very much last night but got plenty to eat while I was in the kitchen. Washed and took a shave in this cow stable that I am now in. It is a nice place in here. A good light and good and warm. I am siting here enjoying my self smelling things and my feet sokeing wet. Friday November 29, 1918 Another inspection and very wet. We got our insignature and it has been a busy time this evening in the cow stable sewing. Saturday November 30, 1918 We expect to be at the Matternach to morrow and no one is sorry . Washed some cloths to day. I expect some mail. Just now am in a saloon writing this. 3 letters from home. Sunday December 1, 1918 Well pulled out early and made about 15 miles to day. Seen some beautifull mts. and countary. Crossed the river into Germany about 10 in the forenoon. We had no dinner to day and cold sammons for supper. I am on gard to night. Monday December 2, 1918 We Pulled out early. Had breakfast at 3:30. Was the advanced gard to day. Another hard hike over mts. Very pretty co. in a way. Crossed a river and R. R. in one of the prettiest vallies I ever seen. The Germans are nice to us. We sleep in hay mounds. I only slept 3 hrs. last night. A good supper this eav. Tuesday December 3, 1918 We had a good night sleep and have been cleaning up to day. I washed and shaved again. Am writing this on a old German wagon. Am going to write some letters. Wednesday December 4, 1918 Corn beef for breakfast. I feel pretty tough this morning. This little town is called Herforst. We were payed to day at 12. I owed about 3 times the amt. I drew. There was a funeral in town to day. A little babe. Some serman it was. A old laddie invited me in the house to write. I didnt go thare is a formation at 2:15. Thursday December 5, 1918 I am broke again to day. We pulled out on the march this morn. at the regular time. Have passed over some very beautifull co. Mts. and vallies. Just had dinner on a mountan side. In the after noon we hiked very late. Have never passed over such mts. as we wint over to day. Passed over the Tile Hills. They are not called mts. in Germany. Was on gard to night. Friday December 6, 1918 We pulled out at 8 and made 39 KM. Some more mts. Faugie and cold. Pulled in a little town very late. A good dusty bed in a hay loft. A very hungery day. Saturday December 7, 1918 We onley made 16 KM. to day. I made A Batterys mess line for breakfast. Yesterday we passed through the prettiest pine groves I ever seen. Pulled in here earley. Got some apples about the sise of bechnuts. We have a splinded bed in the lower floor at a small town where thare never was any thing. Sunday December 15, 1918 Since the 7th we have traveled about the same as usel seeing some pretty countary. Mts. and etc. Yesterday we made about 17 KM. on the onley lelle road we have had since we left Ecsay. All the way it was a big mt. on each side. A small stream all the way. Monday December 16, 1918 This is another day to remember. We cleaned materil and harnnis all day. Had some good stake for dinner but almost no supper at all. I am pretty hunger to night. Tuesday December 17, 1918 We asume to be in this town ,Deesen, for quite a while. Halled brick bats to day for picket line. Almost nothing for dinner and supper. Thare is some pretty girls in this little town and quite a few teems of milk cows as well. Seen a real old man to with a very large milk cow hiched to a wagon. A horse and a cow is the best fixed up team I have ever seen. Am on gard to night. This has been a pretty cold day. PAGE MISSING FROM DIARY, PART OF DEC. 17, ALL OF DEC. 18 AND PART OF DEC. 19. Thursday December 19, 1918 I havent slept but 5 hrs. in the past 2 nights. A felling good. Had a fine supper. All the steak we wanted. It is snowing down right along. Amborn (James W. Amburn) and I made a bed this eav. out of straw and our shelter halves. It is about wide anough for one. We wint out rough rideing to day. Friday December 20, 1918 Seen two deer to day. Wint out rideing again to day. We're in a beautifull pine forrist. Had a pretty good day onley I am sore from rough rideing. Saturday December 21, 1918 Snowing and raining some to day. We had inspection this morn. We hauled ____ and forrigs this after noon. One of the B Batterys officers passed us with a deer. Said they were going to have it for Xmas. Sunday December 22, 1918 This has been the prettist day we had since we have been in Germany and one day we realey had off. This is one day I dont want to forget. Wrote Mama a letter Lallia and one to Bill. Sint Mama a poem. Was down to my friends house. Had waffels and Jellie. I shall never forget thaes people. They are the best folks I have ever met in Europe. How glad I would be if I could talk to them and understand. What a nice time we would have. They have a pino. The old man played for us this after noon. My they are nice. It is almost supper time but I am not hungery. The whistle is blowing now. I shall go out and get what is comeing to me any way. Am in on another feed with Thomason (Charley G. Thomason) but I dont know where I will put it all however shall go with him. Another thing we put our no. 1 piece in possation this morning and another little insident our harnnis fell in the mud. Ford (Charles W. Ford) and I had a mad time hanging them up again. Ambern (James W. Amburn) and I had quite a chat about home and etc. Monday December 23, 1918 Quite a difrence in to day and yesterday. The ground was all covered in snow this morn. but it did not stay on very long. This is some sloppy countary. In every war as to that mater. It has been raining all day. We wint out to exercise the horses and got all wet. I had three letters to day. One from M. N. and Bill. The first one I have had that was written since the Armistees was signed. Am going to bed right away. Have just wrote Mama a long letter I call her Xmass present. Have two more to write but am to sleepy to do the job. A very gloomie day. Tuesday December 24, 1918 We have waided mud and groomed horses all day. A pretty day however it has been one hell of a day at that. At present this is a hard life. We have the old school house all deckerated up and a Xmas tree as well. It is real pretty but... Wednesday December 25, 1918 We enjoyed things pretty well to day. I wrote a letter. Helped carry in a deer. We had a fine Xmas supper and nice time we had one. Three kegs of beer. Plenty of pork and mince pie. Som chocalate. After supper we had quite a lot of fun saying little pieces etc. Thursday December 26, 1918 We are on the gun to day . Had a splinded time. Gave one of my German friends some chocalate. They gave me some apples and some other junk. We had 2 dozzin waffiels. It was like the days of old in the real gun pits. I also read 2 papers to day. Friday December 27, 1918 Seen a pair of deer this morn. Signed the pay roll to day. At present we are at ease. The weather is real fine now. About 2 inchis of snow and it is frozzen up nice. One or two day s for dry feet any way. Saturday December 28, 1918 This has been one of the worst days I ever spint. Was on gard last night but made it real fine as I had 2 letters. One from Mama and one from Mayme. They were dated Nov. 30. The night was very cold and windy. Raining but passed the best. We pulled out of Deecen this morn. and it has been raining all day as a matter of corse I have been out in it. We onley moved a short ways. Went into another school house. I dont like the place as well as Deecen. The American prisoners builded this school house. Sunday December 29, 1918 Another rainey old day . I had Fords (Charles W. Ford) team. Had two letters one from Mama one Mrs. Byers. She wanted to know about Orl. I ans. Mama. Setting on the floor old Slim S______ is intertaining us with some of his stuff. Monday December 30, 1918 A good day. We cleaned the pieces this morning. Am feeling the best to day. Tuesday December 31, 1918 Another good day. Were mustered this after noon. Had a lot of fun out of Rodgers (Collie Rodgers). Took the old plugs out this morn. for exercise. I finished a letter to Mayme that I started yesterday. As usual we have a crap game going. Every body is gay and things is going fine. Wint down and got a mesket full of stew. Just gave Ritter (Louis A. Ritter) a part of it for a sack of ____. Wednesday January 1, 1919 Another fine day in a way. We have done nothing only live. Had a fine dinner pork chops fryed. I will never forget how good they were. Then I rolled and tumbled half of the night. Thursday January 2, 1919 We were up at 3:20. It raining and very very cold. Wint out in position before 7. Another bad day as a whole. We drove around all day. Had two sadwitches for dinner. I had a team. Friday January 3, 1919 Just the old Army life to day. Cleaned the materil. Put some stone in front of the gates. Saturday January 4, 1919 Started the old barn. That is putting in the foundation with stone. We got the stone out of an old rock chorie. Some pretty seenery to be seen. Sunday January 5, 1919 A pretty good day. Had a good dinner. Rec. two letters last night. Ans. Mamas just now. I scrubed up my meskit to day. We had services this morn. down in the school room. Friday January 10, 1919 This week has passed so far as the others. We scrubed horses to day. The stables is being built right along. Saturday January 11, 1919 A real good time to day. A letter from Lallia. Services to night down in the school room. Have just come up some Y. M. C. A. man from Texas. Sunday January 12, 1919 Another good day. We rested. Wrote some letters. The snow looked pretty across the hills this morn. Wednesday January 15, 1919 Rainy day. I went on sick call. We took a bath. I have wrote Daddie a letter. One to Mama last night. Sunday January 19, 1919 Things going good. Went to a show last night at the 324. Wrote letters this after noon. Tuesday January 21, 1919 Room ordeley to day. Browney (Clarence P. Brown) stewed last night. Thursday January 23, 1919 Wint to Cablenz. Monday January 27, 1919 Wint to Deerdorf with horses for dip. Snowing to day. Friday January 31, 1919 Done nothing much to day. Wint to Deerdorf. Grider (Talmedge Grider) was stewed up. Got up at one oclock. Saturday February 1, 1919 Another pretty good day. Stood inspection. Wint to Deerdorf last night. Seen the moovies. Monday February 3, 1919 On gard and writing letters and cards. Wednesday February 5, 1919 On sick report this A. M. Came to Hospitle with a pair of red eyes. Beans and bully for dinner. I slept all after noon. Thursday February 6, 1919 Im same. My eyes still red. Friday February 7, 1919 A funnie room mate last night. Had some teeth out. Every thing is going good to day only I have cold feet. Saturday February 8, 1919 A nice time to day. Wint to a fine show to night. A lot of dudes dressed like girls. Some preformances. Sunday February 9, 1919 A fine morn. The Dr. says I can go to morrow. I am in no hurry only to get my mail if thare is any. Monday February 10, 1919 Did not go back to the out fit to day. Had hot cakes for breakfast. We have a good time to day. Lots of beer. The Y. M. C. A. gave us a hand out. Red beans and jellie for supper and a grand show to night. One of the best days I have spint in Germany. Tuesday February 11, 1919 Another fine day. Had a nice time up the vallie to a big scating rank. A nice time every way. Wint to the movies. A nice time. Seen Midge Maples. Wednesday February 12, 1919 Just had some chocolate and cake with sweet milk and all filled up. This shure has been a grand day. A beautifull day. Had a truck ride to New Weed. A big foot ball game. 2nd. and 32nd. 18-0 favor of 2nd. Wint trrough Bendorf. Had a grand time all day. The show to night was grand. Thursday February 13, 1919 A good time to day. Just came in from the show. A good one. _______ _____ pionees. Shorty has gone for a bath. Friday February 14, 1919 Came back to the battery. Saturday February 15, 1919 Inspection. I was with the 4 section. Sunday February 16, 1919 K. P. My first time. Monday February 17, 1919 Room ordeley. Tuesday February 18, 1919 2 letters. One Ada. A dude in Cinc. Ohio. Went to Deerdorf. Ha time. Wednesday February 19, 1919 On detail plilesing up cork. Owens (John F. Owens) in charge. A letter wrote just now to Ada. Thursday February 20, 1919 On gard with a sore throt and writeing letters. Had hamburgers for dinner. Friday February 21, 1919 Have worked all day on the water cart. Shineing it up for inspection and etc. Have just wrote a couple of letters. Saturday February 22, 1919 The horse show was good. Being Washingtons birth day we have been takeing things easey. 2 letters from Bill. One from Mama. Sun February 23, 1919 Just taken things easey. Leutinant Hillered (Edgar Hillyer) said the Chaplin was darn will pleased with the crowed at church. Monday February 24, 1919 Wint after the mail and supplies. Wisser (Albert O. Wissner) and I had a hell of a time cleaning harnnis. 4 letters Mama Ada Porter Miss Thommison. Tuesday February 25, 1919 On gard. Raining to beat h___. The battery wint out to fire but came back. Gone this afternoon and are fireing. Thursday February 27, 1919 Two letters to day. Mama and Hershil Cundiff. Wint to D. D. I had the best mount in the outfit. Some rideing we done. Is a show to night but I did not go. Saturday March 15, 1919 Reviewed by Gen. Pershing (John J. Pershing). He made quite a talk. Thare was many pictures made. Monday March 17, 1919 Sant Patrics day. We got our shots. Saturday March 22, 1919 Intertainment in the new mess hall. Sunday March 23, 1919 Had to report to the Captin. 3 days in the kitchen. Sunday March 30, 1919 On gard. Afful cold a lot of snow and rain theas days. Sunday April 6, 1919 Sint home a lot of cards. It is a fine day. We got in another bunch of horses. Tuesday April 22, 1919 Left Brietnear 8:30. Got in trucks at Deexen. Boarded train near Newward at 11:30 with plenty of eats. Pulled out at 12. A fine day. Up the Maselle R. fine seenery grape vineards. Many tunnels. One very long. Ate supper in Triep. Very high clifts. Passed mts. at night. Wednesday April 23, 1919 In France. Trinches and battle field for seenery. Breakfast very late. A convoe crossing river on bridge. 2 meals to day. Thursday April 24, 1919 Many towns. Pretty countary. Houses in side of hill. A larg American Camp. Rough rideing last night. Versons toures. Friday April 25, 1919 A fine day. Pretty countary. In Rens. Arived Brest late afternoon. Had mess near the docks. After dark we hiked 4 KM. to Camp. In tents. The best beds we have had. Saturday April 26, 1919 A fine day. Remain camp. Bath this morn. Tuesday May 6, 1919 Cutting bread. At 8 news we would leave to morrow. Wednesday May 7, 1919 Hiked to docks. Good by France and Camp Pontansin. Boarded the Plattsburg at 7 and saild at 4. May 10th., 11th., and 12th., 1919 Some stormey. Wednesday May 14, 1919 Sailing is fine. Passed 2 ships. We are making about 18 knots. Thursday May 15, 1919 Pretty ocean this morn. Not a Riffel. Friday May 16, 1919 Unloaded at 9 A. M. Greated with Red Cross and every thing. Up the Huddson R. 1 7 miles for Camp Merrit. Beautiful seenery and etc. 2:30 Just arived in camp. Dandy bunks. The following is parts of two letters Frank sent to his mother while he was in Germany. The first one has the ending missing and the second one is a page from the middle of a letter. Some where in Germany Jan. 20, 1919 Dear Mama I expected a letter from you to day. But did not get it. As all the mail that came in proved to be second class. How ever am shure I will hear from you right along. Gess I havent very much to say. But if I did not get any mail to day it wont hurt me to write you. And thare isent nothing else to do any way. And another thing I dont do any thing theas days that I enjoy half so well as I do writeing to you. Am well aware just how glad you are to hear from me. Thare has been a time in the past that I wanted to write you when thare wasent any chance. So I gess in the past month I have made up for some lost time any way. This has been a very beautifull day. Or tether this after noon. It tryed to snow this morn. But turned out to be sun shine. Something that hasent happened very many days since we have been in Germany. But at that the weather isent very bad and the grass is always green so thats something any way. Am feeling just fine this eav. and hope very much you all are blessed the same. What I want you and Daddie to do most is take the best care of your selves. When I get back am going to releave you both from dutie. Now I meen that. And you will see anorither thing. I dont want you to be worrying any more. Of corse before the Armistes was signed and you knowing I was on the front. Thare was no reason for you not worrying quite a lot. But now it is very difrent. Yet it might be quite a while before I get home. (And dont forget it might be pretty soon.) But at any rate it will happen. When I write you now thare is no worry about high explosive shells falling any where. And no gas to studdy about. And not thinking about sleeping in a trinch. Or an old muddie gun pit. With many other things to numeros to mention. So you see Mama dear we have lots of things to be thinkfull for. So you and Daddie keep cheerfull. Gess if I keep on you will be geting tired of me giveing advices. And to boss things. Never the less I dont gess it will hurt any thing. I wonder if Henry has moved up thare yet. That is a fine place and I am glad he bought it. You tell him why I havent written him. You no Mama I could not write every body. I had a letter from Bertha Vencent and I did not get to ans. it. I got it while we was on the march for the Rhine. So thare wasent much time to write then and later I lost the letter and forgotton her address. So thare wasent any chance of writing her. Well I wrote you all some letters yes. and sint about 2 dozzin post cards in thim. We can sind things home now. As much as While I have written you all a few long letters and perhaps they will be quite interesting I sint Daddie $95.00 the 21st of this month and I gess that will be about as big a surprise as you will have. If I say a lot in this letter and dont say nothing eather dont be surprised. For I am so delighted with your letters I hardly know what to do. _____ _____ _____and old Smith is over here. Since you spoke about him I think he is in this camp. So I shall take a look for him to morrow. I met old Guy Martin a few days ago and you can amagine how glad we were. I think I told you about that though. It is great to be over here. But you know it will be greater when the war is over and we can be at home again. (And from the talk of things it wont be so aful long.) And then you can bet my traveling will be over. You were talking of hard times at home. If you hear any one speaking of hard times you tell them they are rong. They dont know what hard times are to what some people are having. But of course thare isent any one starving to death or any thing like that. But yet some of them are haveing it pretty hard. Yet they seem to think they are haveing it fine. They have the sperit any way. (Will finish this in the morning.) Sun. after noon. Well I did not get to write any this morning Went over to our Swimmen hole. (We have a dandy one.) And gave some. This last letter was probably written in the summer of 1918 just before Frank went to the front.