Sincerely, Joel C. Swisher

A remarkable spring in a pretty little town 8 miles from Is-sur-Tille

Dear Mary [Gatchell],

Thy letter of Jan 2 was received a few days ago. When thee wrote it thee had not heard from me. I hope by this time thee has, as I have written a couple of times before this. You folks sure must be having a tough winter. Ours was tough for a while but it has moderated recently and our living conditions have also improved. We are still having freezing weather and fogs. For 12 days we saw the moon once and the sun for a couple of hours. But after all this is a queer country, the snow scarcely gets away til the grass starts to get green. I am about a hundred kilometers from Canby Chambers and about fifty from Jesse Packer. I may see them but it is doubtful. I don’t see why they should be in this part of the country.

I was surprised to hear that Norman was to be examined so soon as he was so near the end of the list but I guess they are examining according to class.

Last First Day⁽¹⁾Sunday 3 others and myself walked to a town about 12 miles from here and walked back. We saw the summer home of an Italian count, an old monastery and an old church which the post-cards described as ancient and they certainly looked it. Also saw a creek larger coming from a single spring boiling up as tho under pressure. It was supposed to discharge 1200 to 1500 liters per second. Also saw an old stone look-out tower with walls about 3 ft. thick. It had circular stone stairway of 100 steps going up to the top.

Mary, thee should see the French women doing their washing. I don’t think they ever saw a washing machine. They take the clothes to a creek bank and scrub them on a board or flat stone. I have seen 20 or 30 women in a line along a creek bank. Some of them set in a wooden box to keep from splashing themselves. How would thee like that way of washing or does thee prefer the way thee has been used to?

I see many things that make me satisfied I have lived in U.S.

I certainly appreciate your offer of taking Grandfather and Aunt Hattie for next summer. I hope it won’t be putting you folks to too much trouble.

Remember me to all in Hillacres.

Thy cousin,
Joel C.S.

P.S. Your letters to me are not censored.