14 October 1918 Mary

My dear Leone:

I am working down at Dad's office for a few days, as our schools are closed on account of the flu epidemic. Just that ambitious that I got a job down here. Some job I have too. Am figuring up the new price lists. Use the calculating machine. It does all the adding, multiplying, substacting, and division, All I have to do is to run run the thing. Doesn't take any brain power at all. Sure is a fine job for me. Haven’t anything to do for a while, so I decided to write you on the typewriter. Am some speeder, if I have good luck I can get this finished before time to go home.

Well how is the old scout anyway? Sure was surprised to hear from you so soon. Keep up the good work. We have been having the grandest weather lately, just like summer. Edna and I have been going up town and playing around every afternoon. Can’t do anyting but buy icecream. Thank goodness the soda fountains aren't closed. All of the schools, movies, churches, pool halls, Etc are shut. I miss the churches and pool halls most.

Did you know that the whole state of Iowa is closed? Now don't you wish that you were teaching in Iowa? The blow is that they may be closed for a month. It's a good thing I got this job or I would have had to go to the poor farm. Expect we will have to make up our time at Xmas and spring vacation. Some one said it was a state law that they had to pay us and couldn’t compell us to make it up, but that sounds too good to be true.

Had another grand long letter from Marj Mc. Sure was a funny one. The place where she is staying puts the lights out at 11 bells, a regular old ladies home. And also heard again from Bernice. She didn't run on nearly as much as usual. Has had the flu, two of her girl friends who are nurses died of it. Do you remember Kube [sic], a D. U. at Ames? Well he’s down there. Then she has met a fellow who is “all a girl could ask for”, but she also adds “that is just a passing fancy.”

Didn't get to finish this Saturday as I had some work given me to do. All the typewriters are in use now so I'll have to finish with ink. Sure is a messy letter but you don't care do you? I'm a working girl you know. Haven't any idea when school will begin.

Haven't done a bloomin thing for excitement lately, as there is nothing to do. I've been on a couple of picnics & they were lots of fun, cuz it's been such grand weather - roasted weenies, etc. We aren't going to even have the state teacher’s meeting this fall so I don't have that to look forward to. And I understand they can't serve Refreshments at parties anymore. I belong to a couple of clubs here, but it won't be any fun with no eats. It's always the biggest part of it.

Maybe I'm going to have to run a school lunch for the teachers this winter. Am trying to squelch it but don't know if I can. They also want me to take orders for things & have the kids make them, such as bread, cookies Etc but I’ll be darned if I'll do that. I'm not running a bakery. I getting so darn tired of teaching anyway.

Am hoping Hugh will get his comi (?) before Xmas then come home on a 10-day furlough. Just think I haven't seen the boy since June 1st. Is a long time. They’ve had lots of flu down where he is, but he’s managed to escape it so far.

Well I guess I better get busy. It's almost dinner time and I want to get some work done. Write real soon and I'll try to have more gossip and news for you next time.

Lots of love,
Mary