Letter #20

Letter #20 University of Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
June 1, 1918

Dear Sweetheart,

I received your loving and new-life-building letter yesterday. It surely made me feel like a new man in an old place, or in other words, as the Captain says, "Be on your jobs" without a letter. I could not be on the job, for my mind would be wandering in space, instead on the commands as they are given by the officers. So, you see how much you can do by writing them long and full of pep, what it means to a soldier who is away, trying to make good. I am surely enjoying my work better every day, my vaccination has not started to work yet, but my inoculation feels better, for I have not missed a meal yet and I went to class yesterday and this morning. I am off this afternoon.

Yesterday morning we were divided into two groups, 25 in a section. George was not with me. We went to the classroom and were told to take places at the board.
(example)
2 5 . 3 9
√6 .45 .00 .00
- 4
(45) 2 45
- 2 25
(503) 20 00
- 15 09
(506_) 4 91 00

Professor gave us a problem in square root. I worked mine, and then he said, "You help these three men near you, in other words, you teach them how."

Well, I did all I could do. It was like teaching a dog new tricks. I thought of all the time I had at Clinton trying to teach fractions to my fifth grade. Well, I got credit for what I did, for this morning I received my reward. It was something I did not look for. When all were in the room ... By the way, Saturday morning is always examination day for the week. After the roll was called, the professor said, "These four men, report outside." My name was one of them. We did not have to take the examinations, which suited me. We had left at the armory one block of cement to finish, and I had the job of finishing it off for the last time. That surely made me feel as though I were doing satisfactory work. Three of the men were non-smokers, who were good Mormons. One of them, Parkinson, went to the U of U with me. I have two more days of surveying this week. We laid out a sidewalk, 300 feet long. Yesterday afternoon, we laid the stakes for the new green house for the university. It is to be built east of the new auditorium building. With a little more practice, I will be an expert at the job.

Well, I am telling you a lot which will puff me up. I know I have my mistakes to correct and my problems to work out, which must take labor. If I were perfect, they would not keep me here, but send me on where I would be of better service to Uncle Sam, and not a burden, as I am here.
I surely deem it an honor to have the privilege of going to school, and at the same time, in the service of Uncle Sam. I would not have missed this for anything, for it's something all men should have before entering life's vocation. Tell all the boys, if they have a chance, to enter such a school, and not to let it pass by, for they will never regret doing so. Some of the boys seem to be dissatisfied with the work, because they have not the pep and ginger to begin with. There are seven who are to return back home, on the account of physical defects. One is underweight, 109 pounds, and surely looks bad. He has a pipe in his mouth all the time ... no wonder he is underweight.

I surely can thank my parents for what they have done for me in trying to live a life, free of some things and teaching to me the real value of a good, clean, pure body, which I have at present. My only desire at present is to continue that good advice I have received and prove to my parents that which they have been striving to do all my life was not a failure. Above all things, I would rather be in the condition of saying to my mother and father, and you, when I return that I have won in saving my body from sin, though I be a failure in everything else.

What did you do on Decoration Day? I did not even go downtown, for my suit is getting very dirty. I got more joy writing to you and Mother, which to me, at present, is all the comfort I have. There are only about six here, at the U. George is here with me, the rest are either downtown or gone to Denver. George and I are going when we get our suits. I have just gotten through writing to Jay and my other girl. I received a letter from Sister Mary and Irvin yesterday. I surely was glad to hear from them. Was sorry they had lost one of their heifers. I have received a letter from Viola today, which helps a great deal. I hope I receive one from you tomorrow, dear, for Sunday is such a long day now. I am on room duty tomorrow; I have only the floor to sweep and care for the things and see that they are in place. I will be able to go to meeting in the afternoon. Tomorrow is fast day and George and I are going to fast until noon.

I don't know whether I am glad, dear, you are not going to summer school. But, as I told you, if you are going to sacrifice either your health or your education, I would say take the first, for you know what you promised me the last night I was there. But if, dear, you see differently, do it, although you promised me. For I am here and you are there, and I may not understand all of the things leading up to the case. You are old enough dear, to use good judgment in such things. I hope the scarlet fever does not spread any more, for it is the time of the year when all people are needed to help with the work.

Say, dear, I surely can taste that ice cream you ate for me Sunday, for when you mention ice cream, it makes me think of that which we had at my farewell. Ice cream here is too expensive for George and me, you know. I am not getting $70/per month now. So, just "Hooverize." We're going to walk downtown tonight just to post these letters we have scratched on this armory paper to our loves. My, how the word "love" makes me feel. It seems to make every fiber of my body move.

Say, dear, you need not worry about me for thinking so much of those other girls, for they are nothing compared to the love I owe to you. No, I haven't written to Gladys, but will tomorrow. You ask if I were getting enough to eat, I should say so. I have never gone twice yet, as some have done. We have the chance of going back for more food, if we didn't get enough the first time. I am sleeping warmer since I moved downstairs in the room. I don't have time to read, but very little, only when I am resting at my work. I take the Clipper with me and read it at intervals. The rest of the time, dear, is spent in writing to my love and my mother.

I surely appreciate your kindness in offering me the Liahona to read, but I rarely have time to look at my Juvenile. But, thanks very much for the Clipper, it makes it more homelike.

Say, dear, I really think you are too good for me, for you are always trying to please me by sending me something. Those apples are just fine. I am going to give George one for tomorrow. I do not know, dear, what I can send you to repay you. But, I assure you, it will be repaid just the same. Tell your mother, thanks for the apples and wish her many happy returns for her 51st birthday.

Your loving sweetheart soldier,
Henry XX ... two for each day!

P.S. You tell Hazel to quit calling you to bed, for I want you for half of the time.

P.P.S. Do I think you deserve a star? I would say, yes, if anyone does ... and a big kiss, at that!


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FYI: the word “Hooverize” comes up occasionally.


"Because of his great ability to organize and administrate, President Hoover’s own name became a word. To “Hooverize” meant to complete a task in an efficient way. People began to “Hooverize” everything from mowing the grass to writing a novel. A popular Valentine from 1920 read":

“I’ll Hooverize on dinner,
On fuel and tires too,
But I’ll never learn to Hooverize
When it comes to loving you”