Arkona Mon. Jan 18/15
Mr W.A. Williams
London, Ontario
Dear Friend, —
Received your letter on Tuesday last. Am glad to know you are well enjoying your work so much. It must be awful hard with so many hours drilling. I’m sure you’ll be a great singer when you return.
This is Monday morning & it’s so dark I can hardly see these guide lines. I’m afraid it will rain before the day is over. Ella & Lida & I were down to the river last Monday to watch them skate. We were wishing we had our own skates. The skating has been splendid all last week.
Yes, I have been having a good time. Last Tuesday night after League, Ethan B took Ella & I for a long cutter ride and on Thursday night they took me with them again to a “play” given in Thedford entitled “The Minister’s Bride”. It was very good. On Friday night Shirley Pressey had a party. There were over forty there. We certainly had a good time. Eldrid is in Guelph now. Of course I missed him so much at the party.
Gordon Brown is home now. He came a week ago last Saturday. Will Torrington is home too. He told me all about him going out to see Maggie. Just what time he started & the hour he got home again I guess he likes Maggie better than Maggie likes him. Ella & I are going to Alvinston this week probably Thursday or Friday. We intended to go last week but Ella took a notion she would like a new dress so I guess it will be this week. We’re going to be away two weeks. Ella has a cousin in Glencoe. She wants us to visit her too. I know we’ll have a lovely time.
There is to be a “Laymen’s Missionary Banquet” held in the basement of the Methodist Church tonight. A speaker from Toronto is going to address them. It just has one fault It is for men only. Haven’t we been having lovely weather. It has been so nice all week but it’s so slippery. Nearly as bad as last winter.
And so you think Arkona is too small a place. I told you that Arkona wouldn’t hold you anymore. Oh. Will I hope you’ll not forget to remove your mouth protector before you come back. Ella & I were in the store last Saturday night & I think we were the only girls there. I guess there not very busy now. Now I think I’ve told you all the news there is to tell. Write again & let me know what you are doing each day.
Bye Bye from Madeline.
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| 94 Dreaney Ave, London, Ontario |
Jan 10th, 1915
Miss Madeline G. Lucas
Arkona, Ontario
Dear Friend —
I now take the pleasure of writing you. This is the Sabbath day and I asked to be pardoned for letter writing on this great day.
Am well, enjoying this fine weather, have been real busy this past week.
How are every one up home, hope Lyda is better now. I suppose you are having a grand time these days and especially Sunday evening. I hope no one gets killed in the rush. Well here am I seated in a nice cosy room and too lazy to go to service this morning.
However, I will try before evening. Must tell you a little about the work here. We begin drill at 8:45 A.M. and quite at 12 A.M. [sic] then 1:45 P.M. until 4 P.M. We have some lectures in this time but an unusual amount of drill for us green men. Yesterday we drilled all but one hour and at the last we had half mile run in double time. I was in the front rank and finished easy. Believe me some of the men were exhausted. There were 44 of us in this run. All told we have here at the Armouries 140 men, some 100 Sergeants, 20 Non. Com. Officers and 20 Com. Officers. This is the largest class ever held in Western Ontario. There are three instructors making three classes. These gentlemen use only the best English at times.
Now I may be able to hang it out here but it will be almost impossible for me to qualify. At any rate I will be able to instruct drill and that will be a good help. A man should know the drill before coming here and then it is hard enough. I was out giving orders yesterday and it’s some job to handle 44 men tramping like a thousand buffalo, also 100 more right near you doing the same. It’s call out for all your lungs will stand. I hope will be able to sing when through here.
All the Officers here are growing mouth protectors will give mind the same chance, remove before entering Arkona.
How are things going at the store? Wrote Wes Fuller Friday evening only word since here must drop Miss Menkenick a card someday.
I suppose the people are talking again about me as usual. No more Arkona for me too small a place. Madeline it is just one year ago I got up the nerve to ask to see you home and since then have been in about the same health. Now I suppose Glen Miller will knock everything aside while I am here but what when I return? Please remember me and I shall never forget. If wishing a change let me know now as this is the easiest time and I shall never return to Arkona.
Thanking you for the privilege of writing. Hoping for a reply soon.
I am
Yours sincerely
W. A. Williams
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94 Dreaney Ave. London, Ont.
January 20th 1915
Miss Madeline G. Lucas
Arkona, Ontario.
Dear Friend —
Your most welcome letter at hand. Many thanks for your kindness. I assure you it was indeed interesting and I appreciated it so much. I am well, hoping this may find you enjoying the best of health.
Since coming to London have only been to church on Sundays. The balance of the time I have spent in studying. Am finding the studies very hard. The practical work I am picking up nicely. All the boys are here for a good time, but I studied too hard and comer nearly having to quit. I get home about 5 P.M. and I study until about 10 P.M. I also study in the morning and 1 hour at noon. If I fail it will be because I couldn’t learn. I suppose there is no one here trying any harder than myself. I worry some you may guess for fear I will fail.
We are now at company & Battalion drill and it’s hard. Received word today will be at Carling Heights Saturday. Leave at 9 A.M. return at 1 P.M. and will be there for the day. This means a show battle and real skirmishing as we undergo in active service. I suppose I could write pages but it will not interest you and I am writing under difficulties. If I should pass here I may take out my Captaincy, which means 4 weeks more. This is just a chance in 1000.
How is Snowden making out with the boys. I hope he shows off some so they won’t find fault so much with me. You spoke of the good time you are having. I am glad you are. Had a letter from Ethan tonight will answer on Sunday if I have time. You all speak rather light of Will Torrington. Now don’t run J.L. Fuller’s son in law down. Willie is a flirt you know that, look how he broke Maggie Murray’s heart. Say Madeline forgive me for joking in time of war. About the party at Presseys did Lyddia [sic] miss me did she say? I know you would miss Eldred. You have a weak spot in your heart I know.
This letter is just a muddle of nonsense. Have had no word from Wes yet. I guess they are busy stocktaking. I hope they find everything satisfactory. I sent Leilla [?] Frances, Lyda and Dan Donaldson a card to show my remembrance.
Now I am writing this tonight so you will get it before you go away, then I may know where to write. I only hope you will have a good time while away. I am so glad your letter sounded good to me as any one in the world needs encouragement it’s me. Someday I will tell you about my break down, and that northwest trouble which near finished Billie.
Madeline never worry regarding my history. I have a record that not many young men can boast of, and if they talk about me it’s because they are out of a job. When you write tell me how many boys went with the 3rd contingent and everything else you know has happened. I cannot leave Arkona for a while as the 3rd will be formed before I get through. Any way life is some sweeter if some one in the world says ‘Brace up, be a man.’ Pardon me for this ridicule talk and for such scribbling, in this dim light. Write me soon.
I am
Yours sincerely,
W.A. Williams
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