Letter #10

Letter #10 Bountiful, Utah May 24, 1918

Dear Sweetheart Henry:

Good evening sweetheart how are you? Did you say fine? Sure you did for that’s what I want it to be. I received your very, very welcome letter to-day. Yes I’m much better now. Oh no, I haven’t been sick, but just sick for a letter. Say, so you know I have worked like a trooper this afternoon? Yes, I worked this morning, too, but this afternoon the sun has been shining so much brighter.

I was very glad Henry dear that you like your work better. You didn’t tell me before that it wasn’t pleasant. You’re a piker, aren’t you sweetheart. Say, but I’m getting good, for I was out in the field this morning bunching radishes. I’m not going to tell you how many I bunched (for I don’t know) but I stayed out all morning. We surely are getting to be some farmers, I mean the womenfolk. Papa has 52 dozen radishes for tomorrow, besides his asparagus and turnips. You ask, what will you do with your money? Why that’s easily answered: spend it on stamps, of course, as if there were anything else to buy. You think I’m joking, don’t you dear? For I’m not, it’s the solid truth. I believe I only see one auto pass each day and that’s the mailman, and some days he surely does some flying by here. I’ve learned a lesson from you sweetheart, and that is to say, ‘Stop your grumbling, Violet’. Thanks for the lesson, Henry.

Delores went up to Mary’s yesterday. She went up with Chet Call in the truck. The baby has been, and still is, very cross. She doesn’t get enough to eat. I think Mary will have to wean her. It surely is a shame. Mary wants Hazel and me to come up tomorrow night, and then Papa and Mamma will come up Sunday. Today is Mamma’s birthday, but we are going to celebrate her birthday Sunday. Mamma is fifty-one years old. Shall I kiss her once for you? Yesterday was Naomi’s birthday, and Rulen got up a surprise party for her. Neither Delores nor I were invited. Elgie Smith and Ralph Steeper came along here last night and we talked to them for a while. They were going to the party, but they didn’t know anyone down there so they were out riding.

Henry dear, there is one thing I want to ask you which I have been worrying about and I want you to answer it just the way you feel about it. You remember that last night we had together? When something was mentioned which you had never done, or rather which you say I would not allow, but which I did permit? Do you know what I mean, Henry? Has that altered you feelings or respect for me? Do you think I overstepped the bounds of modesty? Oh Henry, it would break my heart if I ever lost your respect or love by that act. When they talk of a girl’s talk or act leading a fellow on, or awakening things in a man’s nature, I wonder if ever in my life have been guilty of that. Now I don’t mean that you a have ever done wrong, for you have never been anything but a gentleman to me, but wondered if I had, through that act that night made your life harder to live. I never received harm from it and hope, oh so dearly, you didn’t.

I read that part to Mamma about the immoral conditions in camp. I hope you do not care, sweetheart, for you know she is my mother and can be told things once in a while. I just tell her things when I think she would like to know. She is so sweet to me. You said you could trust me. Thank God you can, Henry, and may it always be so. You know I feel so proud and happy when I think of you so pure, clean, and virtuous, giving me your love, that I don’t know what to do. You have every item of my love, for I think no girl could ever have loved a fellow more devotedly that I do you. Of course, I don’t mean I take the love of my mother and father and those in my family less, but my love for them increases yours, and yours increases theirs. I told Mamma, when I read about those unclean fellows, that a girl ought to be able to wait for years, if need be, for a pure and virtuous fellow, such as I know you are.

Did you get your candy ok dear? I hope it was not too dry. I made two trips to town to post it before I sent it off. I missed the mailman, so I went uptown. Eva E. told me I could add some more for the same price, so I did. I put those things in, and when I took it back, I had put in a whole pound. Well, I hope you enjoyed it. I was sorry to send your book with the cover off, but I didn’t know the boys had taken it to post until I was home. Shall I pay you for it? Ha! Ha! I remember another scolding for asking that.

Are they going to give you a soldier’s uniform? I’ll bet your clothing isn’t pretty if you have to shovel gravel in it. Are George and Clyde taking the same classes as you? Well, wherever you are, I know you will be protected. I feel so proud of my soldier. I’ve seen by the paper to-night that Harold McNeil had joined the Marine Corps and leaves shortly for Mare Island.

Are you of the same opinion about getting married before a fellow goes to war, as you were before you left? Mamma was saying that Jesse Goodfellow was saying that he was sorry for the married men at camp. Does my soldier feel that way?

Tomorrow is Primary Officer’s meeting in the Second Ward. I am going, and after that I am going to Mary’s. As there was no Primary yesterday, Hazel wanted to go to town. The play at the Wilkes was fine. It was entitled “Camille”, and is the same play as the opera “La Traviata”. I saw that when Emma Lucy Gates played it. Well, mess is over and has been for some time and I have been down to your mother’s since supper. I told them all the news and showed them the pictures. Last Tuesday I told your mother what you said in your letter. Clarence and Sylvia were there. Mary Mann was there and Lucille Annis and Jada followed us in. They only stayed a minute or two. I heard down there that Albert and Maggie Mann’s home had burned down. They didn’t save a thing, not even their clothes. I have my ring fixed at last. They did the deed yesterday while we were in the show. Oh yes, my flower, the peony, which you gave me, is still good and is coming out fine. I’m going to keep it just as long as possible. Ward called looking for his gloves which he left at the party. He hasn’t even asked how you are. Well, we don’t care, do we sweetheart, just as long as you don’t forget me and I don’t forget you. Life will be bright. Our day is to yet to come (remember my blessing). Some soon day I will try and prove it. Well, love, it is getting late so I will close, hoping my letter is not too long and please write whenever you can, it’s my greatest pleasure (to read messages from my lover). My, that sounds fine, so goodnight. May God guard you and keep you and protect you and bring you back to me is my humble request.

Let me know if I write too much.

Violet XXX