Sincerely, Joel C. Swisher

Dear Aunt Mary,

Thy letter of Feb. 18 reached me a few days ago and the one Feb 11 today. I am sorry to disappoint you but that picture in the Nat. Geog. Mag. was not of me. I don’t doubt but that I have been in the same attitude but I never wore that kind of leggings and that picture was taken in a [censored].

Yesterday, Sunday, I worked helping get a camp hospital barracks up in a hurry. Got today off instead. Took a long walk. Went up a creek and saw some good swimming holes but the water was too cold to go in. Also saw a lot of good fishing holes, the water was clear and we could see big speckled trout lay in there waiting to be caught. Further along we slipped thru the gates into the grounds of some rich Frenchman. Fine large modern house, natural lake of 4 or 5 acres with swans, wild ducks, and [other side of cut out by censor] big fir trees — with shady gravel walks winding around thru them. The caretaker had everything in good shape. There were pens of pheasants and hunting dogs.

After this we climbed to the top of a very huge hill and had an excellent view of the country. In some directions it was quite rough, very much like up around State College. Spring came to some part of France a couple of weeks ago but here it is just thawing. I picked some violets, cowslips, and a couple of daisies today. Seeding time is here. Old men, women and boys are in the fields with plows and harrows. Seems queer to see women at plow handles. In some places I see French soldiers working in the fields. Perhaps home on a furlough to help with the planting.

Will send this to Peach Bottom till I hear thy new address.

Best of love to all,
Joel

Thank thee for the clippings. Read this and pass it on, Aunt Hattie.