I want to state you a few facts, and ask you to advise me as to what you think would be best for me to do.

First. My father died in June 1915, and left me with a Dry Goods, Notion, and Shoe store combined. I was then twenty two years old, and had to shoulder the whole load.

Second. This is the only Dry Goods, Notions, and shoe store in the Town, and the only one of its kind in the County. We have here at Southport, N.C., Three large Fish Factories, one Shrimp Factory, Fort Caswell, and are building one Cantonment on Goverment Reservation; a town of 1500 population. We are the nearest store of its kind in Thirty miles to these Industries, and the town of Southport. Southport is the County seat, and consequently the Country folks come here to trade.

Third. I have a Wife, a two year old girl child, and a Widowed Mother.

Fourth. I have been notified by the Central Exemption Board of Eastern North Carolina that I was held for service in First draft.

Fifth. My store is the trading center for this Town, and surrounding comunity.

Sixth. If this store is closed it means that the people of the Town, and surrounding comunity will have to go Thirty miles to Wilmington, N.C., to trade.

Seventh. If I am taken in this draft it means I will have to close my store, and sacrifice the stock, and Fixtures.

Eighth. I want to say that I am not trying to be a shirker or evade the draft; but feel that I can be of as much service to my Country here at present as I can in the Army.

Thanking you in advance, and hoping to hear from you soon.