Private Henry D. Call in army uniform
George Morgan, his good friend from Layton
Dear Violet,
A letter from you seems to put new life into any soldier boy’s life; even to mine. You said you seem to hear a voice coming from over the mountains which echoes. Yes go ahead and write when you wish and it will be received, with open arms and yes, open heart for nothing pleases me more then to hear your sweet and melodious voice transmitted to me by writing. It will be impossible for me to write everyday but I will try and write three a week, of course you will find time to write every day. I think I have told you I begin work at 5:20 a.m. and I quit at 5 o’clock in the evening so there’s not much time left for me to write and do my studying. I have just received a pair of ‘box cars’ if you will permit me to say so (shoes). So I am writing to you dear, while the other boys are out drilling, there seems to be a way to which I can find time to write to my sweetest and most loving girl in the whole world. If I could only fly back to dear old Utah for about one hour and give you what my heart desires I would do so without being told twice. Well, ‘I’m in the army now’ as we say here at camp. Army life is not as I thought it to be, but it is good enough for me, because I cannot get anything better now. Now, dear, do not think I am grumbling for I feel as if God had a hand in sending me here, we have more privileges than they do at other camps, and we have some of the best officers that any person could ask for. My work is becoming more satisfactory and enjoyable. Some of the boys are being trained for the front trenches. I say we are not. Is the government expending all this money to prepare us to be soldiers in the trenches? No. He is preparing us to be more efficient in the work he has assigned to us to perform. We will be sent to other places to instruct other people and help build the things necessary for the use in the army. Well here I am burdening you the things in the future. Well, dear, I hope you will have bright hopes for the future. If anything should happen between us, I would be the most lonesome fellow or creature on earth. Let us hope for the best anyway, dear, I’m here and you are there and the mountains are between us, but there is not a mountain or stream or ocean so deep or wide but what I can send my best wishes and most of all my love to the one I love. You ask me about you attending the university. Violet, dear, you are your own judge do as you see fit. Do not let me stand in your way, but dear, please remember what I asked of you before I left: do not sacrifice your health and strength just for a year or two in a school room. You may be able to do it. There’s no doubt in my mind but what you would make one of the best teachers the U has ever put out. You have more ambition than most all women, but your health may not stand for this overburden. George just received his first letter today at noon, he felt very blue and the tears just rolled down his cheeks. Clyde was sitting by and he seemed to have no feelings for a person in that condition. He attracted the attention of all those around him and it made George feel like two-bits, but finally, at last he turned on me. I told him to keep his mouth closed and not to make so much noise. I have not seen George long enough to talk to him, but I am going to tell him not to let him read anymore of his letters. The letter I received Tuesday, I let George read it for he seemed so blue. Now do not feel in any way that I didn’t think of George Morgan you and how it may prohibit you from saying that which you wish me to know. For I always read them first. (Clyde Barlow will not read them). Now write just as if I were there at your home. I do not want to beg you to tell me things that you don’t want me to know. You can trust me now can’t you? Well, Violet, the people of Boulder are becoming more sociable than they were at first. Some of the boys went downtown to a dance. They said it was only fifteen cents per couple. I supposed it must be a lower class of people who dance there. Well anyway whatever it is, I am not going, for I want to spend all my spare time on my work, and the spare time is just about as spare as hens’ teeth. I do not think I have told you what we had at mess today at noon. We had potatoes mashed, hash, beans, vegetable soup, three slices of bread, two radishes, and a large piece of meat with gravy. That is not so bad but it is good enough for your soldier boy. I don’t know if I am getting fat, but the only thing that worries me is the sleeping part. My bunk is near a large window which can be opened all the way up. Before I forget it, I want to thank you and Hazel and all the rest of the family for what you have done for me. Those apples were sure fine. Tell your mother I have not opened those pickles yet. Say, thanks very much for that dish towel. It surely is a very good one and it makes your dishwasher’s dishes look very much better. By the time I get back I will be a professional housekeeper, both in making beds, sweeping the floor, and washing dishes. The most important thing of all I will remember is: never grumble at the things which are placed before me. It reminds me of the little gem, (home is the place where we grumble the most, but are treated the best.) Well kitty dear, it is 9 o’clock and I must spend at least 20 minutes with my books. So goodnight, dear, and a nice long everlasting k_ _ _ until I hear from you again. Here’s wishing the blessing of health and strength for you. You are the desires of my love.
Goodnight, Love to all, Henry
P.S. Tell the folks I will write Sunday when I have more time.
P.S.S Clyde has just come telling me about some girls who are outside, if you know him as well as I do, you would know what he said.
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