The Real Dope | Page 2

we have got. All together Al there is 10 boats in the parade and
6 of them is what they call the convoys and that means war ships that
goes along to see that we get there safe on acct. of the submarines and
four of them is what they call destroyers and they are little bits of
shafers but they say they can go like he--ll when they get started and
when a submarine pops up these little birds chases right after them and
drops a death bomb on to them and if it ever hits them the capt. of the
submarine can pick up what is left of his boat and stick a 2 cent stamp
on it and mail it to the kaiser.
Jokeing a side I guess they's no chance of a submarine getting fat off of
us as long as these little birds is on watch so I don't see why a man
shouldn't come right out and say when we left and from where we
come from but if they didn't have some kind of rules they's a lot of guys
that wouldn't know no better then write to Van Hinburg or somebody
and tell them all they know but I guess at that they could use a post
card.
Well Al we been at sea just two days and a lot of the boys has gave up
the ghost all ready and pretty near everything else but I haven't felt the
least bit sick that is sea sick but I will own up I felt a little home sick
just as we come out of the harbor and seen the godess of liberty
standing up there maybe for the last time but don't think for a minute Al
that I am sorry I come and I only wish we was over there all ready and
could get in to it and the only kick I got comeing so far is that we
haven't got no further then we are now on acct. that we didn't do
nothing the 1st. day only stall around like we was waiting for Connie
Mack to waggle his score card or something.
But we will get there some time and when we do you can bet we will
show them something and I am tickled to death I am going and if I lay
down my life I will feel like it wasn't throwed away for nothing like
you would die of tyford fever or something.

Well I would of liked to of had Florrie and little Al come east and see
me off but Florrie felt like she couldn't afford to spend the money to
make another long trip after making one long trip down to Texas and
besides we wasn't even supposed to tell our family where we was going
to sail from but I notice they was a lot of women folks right down to
the dock to bid us good by and I suppose they just guessed what was
comeing off eh Al? Or maybe they was all strangers that just happened
to be there but I'll say I never seen so much kissing between strangers.
Any way I and my family had our farewells out west and Florrie was
got up like a fancy dress ball and I suppose if I die where she can tend
the funeral she will come in pink tights or something.
Well Al I better not keep on talking about Florrie and little Al or I will
do the baby act and any way its pretty near time for chow but I suppose
you will wonder what am I talking about when I say chow. Well Al
that's the name we boys got up down to Camp Grant for stuff to eat and
when we talk about food instead of saying food we say chow so that's
what I am getting at when I say its pretty near time for chow.
Your pal, JACK.
* * * * *
On the Ship Board, Jan. 17.
FRIEND AL: Well Al here we are out somewheres in the middle of the
old pond and I wished the trip was over not because I have been sea
sick or anything but I can't hardly wait to get over there and get in to it
and besides they got us jammed in like a sardine or something and four
of us in 1 state room and I don't mind doubleing up with some good pal
but a man can't get no rest when they's four trying to sleep in a room
that wouldn't be big enough for Nemo Liebold but I wouldn't make no
holler at that if they had of left us pick our own roomys but out of the
four of