Transcript
31 Boulevard Haussmann,
May 27, 1917
Dear sister Selma:
To-day is Sunday and as I have a little time I will write you a few lines. I have not answered all of your many recent letters because I have been quite busy. In one of your previous letters you made of a foot note of the desire of Louis that I write a book about my work at the front. While at the front I kept a diary, which I have now copied and slightly revised. As soon as it is possible I shall try to send it to Louis by some friend or by mail, and then if he thinks it worth while he can have some publisher put it out in book form. Typewriting is awfully expensive over here so I have only written it in ink.
This morning I intended to go to American church where a friend of mine, formerly of the Ambulance but now studying voice here in Paris, was scheduled to sing. I got to the church rather late, so instead took a walk on he Avenue du Bois de Boulogne. It is this beautiful avenue which on Sunday mornings especially is full of prem promenaders [sic], and it is here that most new Parisian creations in fashion are first exhibited. As it is now getting hot I think I will shortly move out to that quarter of Paris for there rae many trees there and it is cooler since it is close to the immense park of the Bois de Boulogne.
A couple of evenings ago I took in “Madame Butterfly” at the Opera-Comique and it was very good. Also recently heard “Faust” which was splendid.
My work at the bank is going along very nicely. The men are just beginning to take their vacations but I will not get any, in fact I would not care for any. As well as American clients, we have some very interesting French clients, numerous Comtes, Comtesses, Barons, Baronnes, Marquis, and Marquisses [sic].
We are at present have quite a serious working girl strike here but it seems that it will soon be satisfactorily settled. It is a shame that the girls are paid such small wages in the face of the present high cost of living.
To-night I am going out to a sort of Sunday evening religious meeting of some of the American Art students in the Latin quarter. My friend is going to since there and there are usually a very nice bunch of Americans there.
Monday evening
I left this letter last evening, so will close it now. To-day, Pentecoste [sic] Monday is a holiday here in France, so we have not had to be in the bank. Most of the day I have passed in my room here writing some letters, darning a few sox [sic] and playing my mandolin a little.
Trusting that this letter finds you all well, believe me,
Ever your affectionate brother,
Luther.
Metadata
Title: Letter 24, Luther Nelson to Sister Selma
Date: 1917 May 27
Collection: RG1/051, Luther Nelson Collection, 1916-1918
Repository: Archives of the American Field Service and AFS Intercultural Programs
Creator: Nelson, Luther
Publisher: Digitized by AFS staff in 2016.
Rights Statement: This item cannot be reproduced outside the guidelines of United States Fair Use (17 U.S.C., Section 107) without advance permission of the Archives of the American Field Service and AFS Intercultural Programs. In the event that this letter becomes a source for publication, a credit line indicating the Archives of the American Field Service and AFS Intercultural Programs is required.
Digital ID: 1_051_24
