Sincerely, Joel C. Swisher

Dear Joel,

Surprised to find me home from M.S.N.S.⁽¹⁾Millersville State Normal School, now Millersville University during the week? Last Thursday evening I was scared half to death when I was called to the phone during study period. I just knew someone was sick at home and were sending for me as I had made them promise to do if they caught the Spanish “flu.” I was trembling so I could scarcely hold the receiver in my hand. Sure enough it was Dad—but everyone well. He wanted to know if I could come home Friday evening and help in the warehouse on Saturday. After going thru some red tape—special permission from the board of health in Lancaster, for the school is under quarantine, was allowed to come. Had a lovely time reading from Millersville to Pequea,”The Bent Twig” by Dorothy Canfield. (They say she had written the “best yet” among the war books). I came back to earth with a jolt when I found that the Peach Bottom train had left Pequea ten minutes before. Robinson Crusoe had nothing on me. I felt for him sincerely. I was stranded between the Martic Hills and the deep blue river but my good man Friday appeared in the form of the telephone at the store. (I wished for wireless). Caught Dad at Peach Bottom, he was waiting there for me, and he said he would meet me at Quarryville. Passed back thru Millersville at 6 o’clock just as they were coming from supper and I was literally starving. Expected to be eating supper at Wakefield at that time. Papa met me at Q. with the discouraging news that Mother was sick in bed. The crackers and hot chocolate I had to eat did not go down very well with that. However, I found her much better than I expected, of course—but instead of being head clerk the next day, I became chief nurse. She is very much better and came down stairs yesterday. I do not think she had the “flu” or if she did, it was a very very light attack. I’ve seen it a lot and I know from experience! But Joel—Aunt Hattie was so funny. Religiously she called me every morning and every evening. Her first question was, “How’s Mother?” her second, “Have you had the doctor for her yet?” To the first I answer either “the same” or “better”, and to the second, “No.” Then she said, “Well, now, Edith, doesn’t thee think you had just better have the Doctor come in a little while today?” Her voice was so reproachful I felt like a naughty child caught shirking and my conscience bothered me all the rest of the day, whether I should not call the Dr. against Mother’s wishes. However she talked to [Hattie] herself today and convinced her that she had not one foot in the grave!

Lena and Harry just called, he asking me for the school house key (meaning there could be only one—the school Conowingo, I suppose). I always think of them as Lena and Harry. Wonder what it will be after their marriage, if that climax is ever reached. Lena and her husband, I reckon. Joel, does thee not have regrets? Thee might have been smoothly sailing on the seas of matrimony long before this with Lena at the helm, and letting the Kaiser and his “subs” take care of themselves. I laugh to myself whenever I think of F.C.’s opinion of thee after one or two memorable calls on his daughter, “a very nice fellow, if he does not get spoiled.” Can’t thee hear him say it? Well Harry’s the nice fellow even if he does chew tobacco!

Speaking of chewing, reminds me—Mamma had a dream about thee the other night. In the first part of it thee was lying in bed looking rather pale like thee used to after a hard year’s work at school. But in the last part thee was looking fine, hearty and robust—with tiny little black mustache, and thee was chewing tobacco to beat the band! She said thee would get up from thy chair, walk to the door and spit away out across the yard—thee knows how Dad does it—then come back and go at it again.

I think Sis is having a pretty good time at G.S. They had a midnight visitor on the fire escape–caught sight of his head disappearing. It is so funny to hear her say Miss Gatchell.

Nothing much exciting going on in this neighborhood—the Germans and a few hundred thousand Yankee soldiers would be necessary to make it thrilling enough suit thee now? The “flu” is the only thing now and it can hardly be termed exciting, altho it can upset one for a little while. Fanny King told me today that she and Norman Wood, Edna Pugh and Rodney are going down to Virginia to the wedding of Hanna Pidgeon’s brother. I rather think he is one Fanny had designs on herself.

Oh yes, I have news and glorious news at that! Hurrah! Hurrah! Rah! Rah! for Fulton! Fulton! Fulton! Went “over the top” of the Liberty Loan! Liberty Loan! $99,000, and our quota was $95,000. Charles Gorsuch promised $15,000 of the $30,000 despaired of at the last and they got to work. Dad, Will Hambleton, Uncle Joe, Walter Wood, Joe Kirk and the rest and raised it in a day. Some people doubled their subscriptions, and all responded cheerfully and willingly to the second call as well as the first. So whenever thee’s feeling a bit blue and things don’t go just right do not forget old Fulton is right behind you, and mighty proud to be there!

Well, I must come to “finis” of this epistle, and thee must share thy right to this paper, pen and my rambling ideas with some other people “over there”. If you all got together sometime and compared notes you would probably find them all near alike, although I do not have a set copy. Had a splendid letter from Jerre B.H. the other day.

A word of consolation about the rats—thee is not the only one who enjoys their company. One came into Mamma’s room the other night, and down at the warehouse they are so bold that they actually come out and sit on the bags and stare at the men. Papa took about a truck load of traps and things down this morning and now he, Paul and Amandus are trying to see who can catch the most. Expect to hear of a big killing tomorrow morning.

Joel, will thee please send us a soldiers official Christmas coupon to put on a package we will be sending to thee before long. I suppose thee has heard that you must send this coupon to be sent back on the package. Send it immediately—or sooner, just as soon as thee possibly can. Of course if thee has already sent one that’s all right. Does thee need anything in the way of wristlets, socks or helmets. I am knitting socks now. Or if there is anything else thee needs specially tell us what it is. Be a good boy and maybe, maybe Santa Claus will come down the chimney and drop something in thy stocking. The family sends love and best wishes.

Thy cousin,
Edith B.