T2020.102.496

F.T. Ruger, H.T.,

1-5-1922

My Dear Helen:

I received your loving letter this noon and certainly was very glad to hear from you. I had just got thru with some very hard work and had come in for dinner; I was quite tired, but as soon as I saw the postmark, all of the tiredness left me, for I knew who it was from.

I received three cards today. One was from you, one from my cousin and one from my aunt.

The government is certainly cutting down expenses over here, for we

have got about a dozen lights in our whole barracks. Also, we are allowed a very little water. We are allowed just what we need and no more. We can't even sprinkle the lawn.

Have you still got that book you had me put my name in and the date of my birth? I forgot to have you give me your birthday. I am sorry I did not return your favor and send you my picture when I received yours, but I will send it to you soon. Our company photographer has gone on a ten day pass to the island of Hawaii and when he gets back, I will have him "shoot" me and send you one. Oh, how I do miss you. I can hardly wait till I get back to California to see you. If I ever get downhearted and get to feeling blue, as if I didn't have a friend in the world, I get out your picture and look at it and say to myself, "Cheer up, she is waiting for you." At least, I do hope you are waiting. I never had as true friend as you are. All my friends will not even write. I have writtrn to a good many

of my old school chums and they answered, some of them, but soon they quit. But you're the most truest friend of all. We sure are getting some poor food now. We are now getting something very poor eats. Believe me, I do wish I was back where I could get some good home cooked meals. Just think, the last home meal I had was at your house, just twenty-one months ago, the twenty-fifth of this month. Ow Oh, how I do wish that I were back there with you.

How is the little church coming on? I hope it is growing. How is the C.E.?

I go to church ever Sunday, but I do so. Wish you were here to go with me. Also, when I go to a show here in the kost, [coast?], or downtown, I think of you and say to myself, "Oh, if Helen were here." But it won't be long before I will be back and my first stop will be Arcadia.

Doesn't it seem funny to write the year as 1922? What did you do on New Year's Eve? The Y. had a watchout service for everybody, but I couldn't go.

Well, it is almost time for lights out, so I must close for

this time.

So good night, little girl, write soon.

Your true friend,

Pvt. H.M. Hellinger,

3rd Balloon Co.,

Fort Ranger, H.T.

A Very Happy New Year.