Seal of the U.S. Coast Guard
Alex Kaufman, M.M. 1/C
U.S. Coast Guard Training Station
Curtis Bay, Maryland

Friday P.M.
Dear Miss Thompson:
All is well + getting better except my writing, which remains as usual-foul!
Not only did I receive your letter and that much too large package of delicacies  which, while I liked the Sherry jam from, was largely greatly appreciated by the rest of the petty officers here  but I also got a letter + note from Marietta to whom I am also now writing. She seems to be much too nice a girl for me to write to. But since she asked for it  shell get it!
Things here, happily for me, are in a constant state of turmoil + upsettedness. <- Like that new word? I just thought it fitted best.
I dont know how much leeway Dr Schaffers offer allows, but you can always send me a sampling of pictures of the prettier + more agreeable girls in school, so when I come home, - oh well, I didnt think it went that far anyway.
All of which reminds me.- I come home frequently on weekends but Ive assumed that when I get in  about 7:30P.M. Saturday, the school is deserted, so I havent even tried to go there, but if, the next time you write me, assuming you do, you tell me that anyone I know will be there, Id be glad to come over and show off my fancy uniform  among other things.
Say hello to Miss Lipson for me, if you will, and tell her that the picture she asked me to send her will be soon forth  coming, provided that, as per agreement, she displays it prominently on her desk. Thats all  Al
P.S. This is already more writing (socalled) than Ive done in a long while. Al
Transcribers note  The P.S. portion of the letter was written along the left margin from bottom to top. Also the date of the letter is likely to be when school was out of session as indicated in the letter.
Transcribed by Anthony McFarlane on 10/8/13