Je suis toujour content a recevoir vos lettres, parceque vous est mon premier amour, je vous aime plus que tout dans le monde et dans le ciel exceptey le bon Dieu et la sainte Vierge. S'il vous play, envoyer moi de l'argent pour achetey du sucre blanc. Je n'aime pas le sucre brune. Comme ceci est mon premier lettre en français, si vous play ne fait pas le _fun_ a mes fautes. Je suis avec tout l'amour de mon coeur votre fils. B. ALLEN. TRANSLATION OF LETTER. _My Dear Mamma_: Your postal card was received yesterday and I read it with much pleasure. I am always so glad to receive your letters, because you are my first love, my own dearest mother! I love you more than anything in this world or in Heaven, except the good God and the Holy Virgin. If you please, send me some money. I want to buy some white sugar, as I don't like the brown sugar they give here. As this is my first French letter if you please don't make fun over my faults. I am with all the love of my heart, Your son, B. ALLEN. * * * * * PALM BEACH, FLA., January. _My Very Dear Child_: Papa and I are much pleased with your effort at French letter-writing, you spell as the words are pronounced, but you will soon learn to correct that. Don't forget accents. They are as important as letters in writing French. I enclose two dollars for the sugar. Papa is improving in health and spirits in this delightful climate. I am writing at an open window, with the odor of roses and Jessamine wafting into my room. Dearest make good use of your time. Papa is particularly anxious about your arithmetic, and you know that's your weak point. We are so pleased with the "gold certificate," it proves you are doing your best. Pardon the brevity of this letter, Papa is waiting for me to go and watch the alligators sporting in the water, but we won't let them get a bite at us. Your loving mother, M. ALLEN. P. S.--I should not have said "sporting," for alligators are sluggish beasts, but often may be seen in the mud in clusters, a tail-switching, or a head raised, on the watch for prey. * * * * * L'ISLET, January 15. _Bien Chère Mère_: I have just received a Christmas gift from that old lady we always called "Madame." You know she never would say my name, always calling me "Bon Homme." The following verse is written on the fly-leaf of the book she sent. Don't you think it cute? Sans que je te nomme, Mon petit "Bon Homme," Je m' adresse au ciel; Et je te souhaite Une belle fête, Un heureux Noel, Un coeur pur et sage, Voilà le présage, D'un bonheur reël. MADAME. Avec beaucoup d' amour je suis votre fils. B. ALLEN. * * * * *