Capt. T.G. Leske
71st Infantry
APO44
Fort Lewis, Wash.
August 25,1942 (postmarked Port Angeles, Washington, Aug 26 1942)
Miss Jane Axtell
Coquille, Oregon
PO Box 515
Hello Jane:
Your letter, actually four pages (large printing), was a very welcome surprise.
From your letter I don’t know whether this letter will reach at Coquille, California or Seattle. If the last, cheers – if the others, jeers.
After I left Barnes, I was at Fort Lewis for a few days and then came on to Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula. After working there for a week and doing nothing in the way of excitement I pushed on farther north to Pysht I am now spending a week. Pysht consists of a few homes and a sawmill.
The captain and I are quartered in a lodge which was used as a guest home by the lumber company. It is a rather large place having a central living room with a huge fireplace at one end.
Sitting here I feel like a tycoon. I am all alone with the radio playing. Lombardo music, a kerosene lamp on the table, and a crackling blaze in the fireplace. Outside the night is cool and quiet with a full moon shining and hounds barking. If your aren’t sorry, I certainly am, that you are n ot here with me. No setting could be more ideal for whispering sweet nothings – or getting stinko.
My regiment is finally giving leaves to the officers and when the time comes I sure would like to see you. Probably you will be gadding around in California. Any comments?
Next week I will be back in Port Angeles to stay for a few days and then off again for some other outlandish spot.
Gotta go to bed. As there is nothing to do here evenings. I knock myself out working during the day so that when night comes I’m glad to go to bed.
If you haven’t been able to read this letter, let me know, and next time I will print block letters.
Until we meet again,
Just Ted
