1915/03/17

In which Florence expresses surprise at Gordon's decision to join the Third Contingent. Includes news of family illnesses; results of the Hockey Season and the winner of the Allan Cup; and, mention of Horace Heber Haney.

965 Dorchester Ave
March 17/15.

Dear Gordon

Please accept my humble apologies for not answering your very welcome letter before this. However, I am sure that you will not mind, when you receive two or three letters a week from 54 Yale Ave.

Well Gordon, I must say that I was very much surprised to hear you were at last training with the third contingent, as I fully expected to see you out west this spring. Archie and I were planning all sorts of good times, but they will have to be posponed till some future date.

You will probably be surprised to hear that Archie came home from college the other day, complaining of not feeling well. He didn't eat any supper that night, and when I got home about 11.30 p. m. his temperature was over a hundred and four. Mother sent for Dr. Montgomery & he said it was an attack of appendicitis & a touch of influenza. Dr. Blanchard was also in, but he said it wasn't necessary to operate at once. Mother kept hot cloths over his side for a couple of days, and he is alright now, and has an appetite like a ____ well I don't know what to call it. Mother wants him to have his appendix removed now for fear of another attack; but father thinks it is unnecessary so I can't tell you what they are going to do yet. I think it will be my turn next to have this popular epidemic. Father has also been home for over a month, with a sore lip. It started last winter, and when the fine weather came it healed over. This winter when he was doing so much driving his lip again became sore. It had no chance to heal, for every time a fresh skin would form on it, the frost would break it open. Finally father grew anxious about it and came home. Dr Armstrong said it was only a bad sore and would heal up if it were given a chance. It has improved a great deal, although I expect it will be a couple of weeks yet before it is better.

So, you see we are having quite a time looking after the maimed - between Cousin Margaret, Archie and father.

Well I'm sorry to say the Hockey season is over. The last games were extremely interesting, especially the two between the Monarchs of Winnipeg and the Millionaires of Melville. The first game was 4 - 3 in favour of Melville. The next game, at half time, was 2 - 0 for Melville, but the Monarchs scored four goals in the last half, which made them the winners of the Allan cup. I would much rather have the Victorias of Winnipeg win, but that will take another year yet.

I was at the Auditorium rink, the night the Monarchs won, and when the crowd heard the results, they simply went wild. The Monarchs are the "candy kids" now. They have been guests at two of the theatres this week & banquets etc.

By the way - I forgot to tell you that Horace Heber Haney was over here. He's just the same old boy, except that he is getting better looking every day. By appearances, it looks as if a military life agrees with him. He's a private in the twenty eighth battalion.

Well Gordon I can't seem to think of any thing funny to say in this letter, because I intended going skating to-night and it wasn't till the last minute that we found out there wasn't any ice. So I hope you will not find this too dry to write soon, wishing you the best of luck. I remain

Sincerely yours

Florence

P.S. Please try & find a few spare minutes from your admirers & send up a few lines to let us know how you are making out & don't eat too much.

2017.22.26