Letter #15

University of Colorado

May 29, 1918

Dear Sweetheart Violet,

I received your loving letter of Sunday night today. It has been the first since Sunday, too. When there was no mail I thought you had forgotten to write Sunday night. If you only knew how much better it made me feel, and how much pep it puts into me, you would forgive me for wanting a letter every day. I suppose you don’t care if you only get a letter every week. I did not think I was so selfish; but I am, you see, if you want to term it that. Well, we must be satisfied with what we get and no more. That is one lesson I am learning – take what is given you and be satisfied. You can’t say a word back, but take it cheerfully, and say the things which usually come forth to yourself.

The Lieut. told us this morning something which I thought could be done away with. I don’t feel it would be right to tell you right now. I can trust you with anything, but I am afraid you would think I am losing my respect for ladies, which it happens to be connected with. There are a few of the men that happen to be conducting their habits as such. I thought it

was lack of character, the reason they were talked to in such a way and told to report right away: if they did not, and were found out, they would be compelled to lose all pay for a month. Well, I have almost told you, but it seems I cannot resist telling you my dear.

I have been working hard this week, doing all kinds of work. The best part of it is we have been doing the things I like, which happens to be figuring. I have been taking up my high school work which all comes back to me. Well dear, I can thank my parents for that although my part was necessary. Some of the boys are at a complete loss when it comes to finding the areas of circles, squares, rectangles, polygons, and extracting the square root. Some of the fellows have a hard time multiplying. Well, I have my faults and I must not condemn those who never had a chance, as I did. I have promised to help a number of boys. Two of them are Jones from Willard, who happen to be related to me. I am the only Call in camp, so I do not get my name tangled up with others.

Say, kiddie dear, before I forget it, if you want a good record for the Victor, “La Paloma” is good. They play it every night at the Y.M.C.A. I sure like it, for it makes me feel I had someone near me. I don’t know how long I will be able to write, for I have been inoculated in the right arm and vaccinated in the left. Both are becoming very sore and painful. I suppose you can tell there is something wrong with the way I write.

We received some new steel couches today so we will have a real bed to sleep on tonight. I have ever told you before that I have taken out $10,000 worth of life insurance, which now makes me worth $11,000? So if anything should happen, someone will receive a good round sum.

You say you are getting bold in some of your sayings. Well, to me they are the only comfort I have. I like to hear about the things at home, but when you talk love and desires it makes me feel like going ahead and doing my duty, which you would want me to do. Now don’t get to thinking I am criticizing you for I am not. Violet, nothing would make me feel better than to become the helpmate of such a pure and loving girl as you are. To have you blotted from my life would make me lose all interest and hope. You seem to be kindling up some unknown fires which have never been touched before. So dear, tell me those things which you are forced to tell. For if there ever was a man who had the power to love, it is me. I have told you before, I could not have loved another as I have loved you -- and I hope, by the blessings of God, I will be able to continue that love until I return to you. Then there will be no leaving again until you and I are bound in matrimony. Well, dear, no one has a better right to talk as you do than yourself, and I appreciated all you have said and hope you still think that way. Well, you asked me to tell you something which is the truth, and I did. The nights out here are very cold, especially the mornings. I put three thicknesses of blankets over me and one under me. I think I will get me a sweater if it gets any colder.

Tomorrow is Decoration Day. From the way my arms feel, I will spend it at home, and not at some resort with a pretty girl… Ha! Ha! Where were we a year ago tomorrow? My, I hope time flies as it has the last two winters.

One of the boys in our room is going home for physical defects. There are seven in all. I sometimes wish it were me, but I more often think I would rather stay. I received Hazel’s letter also and surely was pleased to hear she has been taking so much interest in you since I left. you were up to Layton (this is the end of page 8 and no other pages were found -- Anne