June 6, 1918
Dearest Sweetheart Henry
I received your letter of Monday night, today. Oh Henry, I don't know what I would ever do without those heavenly moments when I get your letters. I can't open them fast enough, for my anxious, throbbing heart. I am sometimes so happy that I think everyone can read the message in my eyes and see my heart throb. Henry dear, if you should cut down the supply of messages, or other words, send only a little now and then, I am afraid I couldn't stand it. Oh, yes, sweetheart, I know I'm selfish. I was told tonight was, but I can't help it, I'd just like to steal you away and have you to myself, that is, if you would care to go.
Is it Sunday, love? I hope it is, because I want you to have my message on Sunday. You don't know how happy I am when I read your letter, telling about living such a good and noble life. Talk about spirit. I surely bet you had the true spirit that day, as you always can. Isn't that alone evidence that your life is free from sin? As the religious saying goes, “The Spirit of God cannot dwell in an unclean tabernacle. Henry, what with your faith and mine, and the promise in my blessing, there is no doubt need enter our minds as to the outcome before us.
Ah, dear, the breaks that do come to keep me from my letter. First supper and now to try my dress on. I'm back but Papa is out here, ready to take us to choir practice. I must do my duty now so that I can ask a blessing and be worthy to receive it. So long sweetheart, until later.
Well, I'm back and it is 10:50 PM, so you see, I'm going to finish this tonight, as I must go on the ten-car in the morning to the convention. There was another meeting to the meeting house tonight. The Thrift Stamp meeting was held tonight. Our ward has $2800 to raise. The other ward has $2,070.
I don't know what we'll do after awhile. People will have to stop spending pleasure money. If we give our all, it won't be a hundredth; so much as you are giving, for you are giving your all.Porter Jones brought Zada, Olena, Hazel and I home in his Ford. I think it was good of him, for we had quite a ways to come. You don't need to worry about the married men and ‘Violet’, Henry, dear, for she can handle them, and she keeps herself straight.
Well, Henry, I see that eleven men are needed from this county to go to the U. Hazel was just reading a piece which said that those who made good, or were best qualified, would be instructors. I hope it will be that way at your school, because I know then that you will be chosen as one of the honored ones. You're doing fine, love, so keep it up, for no one can do better than you.
Things seem to be moving rapidly lately, don't you think? They say that about 25 registered in Bountiful yesterday.
Everett Nelson said tonight that Rulen Thomas and Guy Davis joined the Navy. Mama heard to Aunt Elaine's tonight that Russell Day had joined the colors. I also heard that Cache Rampton and Kenneth Pace had joined. It surely does seem too bad if it is so about the latter two joining, because I don't think they're old enough to withstand the temptations of sin, which they would encounter, don't you think so?
Oh, yes, I had company last night. While I was out to the well, Jack and Thelma, and Ward and Mable drove up. They stayed quite a while, but didn't come in. They said they had not heard from you as yet. I showed them the picture and they asked to see my ring, so I showed it to them. I'm mighty proud of it, but a hundred more so of the fellow. I had to laugh at Jack. He kept looking at it, and kept saying how pretty it was. At last he said, "You know, it takes half a farm to buy one of those." He had to register today.
I forgot to tell you, sweetheart, the most, or one of the most important things. I have a new office. Guess what it is. You can't - well, that's funny. I am secretary to the Mutual. It surely took me by surprise. Do you think I can do it? Lucille is my assistant. The Mutual chose her. If you had have been nearer, I would rather have asked your advice, but I had to give my answer quickly. This is the way I felt about it: if I do not do as I am asked, I cannot ask a favor of my Heavenly Father, and my greatest aim is to live worthy to ask Him to bring you back to me as soon as possible.
Are you going to have army suits, love? Are those the ones you mean? I hope you are soon able to get out and enjoy yourself.
Maude Clay and Bryon Hayward are to be married soon, I think. Virgil Cornia (the boy who stayed to John Rampton's) was married yesterday. I look for a lot of your people to get married before they have to register.
We have been out in the field quite a bit today. This morning we bunched radishes and cut asparagus this afternoon. The radishes will be finished tomorrow. They are about 45 cents or 50 cents a dozen.
Well, strawberries are coming in rapidly now.
I haven’t tasted one yet this season. Don't you think I'm doing fine? Your mother was here for a little while tonight. I read part of my letter to her. Henry, I accept that offer of making you a sweater with pleasure. Don't expect it too soon, as you know I don't know how to knit very well, yet. I intended making you one anyway, but I'm glad you said, brown, or I'd have made it of the gray. Every stitch will be woven with a world of love for you, and may it always remind you when you get it, of the girl waiting at home for you to return to her and become her joy through all life.
Well, it's 11:30 PM sweetheart, and so I guess I'd better close.
As ever, your waiting sweetheart,
Violet
Please, love, let me know if I wrote too much.
Thrift Stamps
FYI: Violet mentions going to the Thrift Stamp Meeting, and that her ward had certain assessment to meet… funny how their ward was in a friendly (and patriotic) competition with another ward…
During World War I the American government turned to thrift stamps as one means of financing the war effort while instilling traditional values. War expenses totaled $33 billion, and the Treasury Department sold approximately $21 billion worth of Liberty bonds to meet the nation's new financial demands. However, to encourage thrift and support for the war effort among elements of the population who could not afford even the smallest bond, valued at fifty dollars, the Treasury Department was authorized to issue Thrift Stamps and War Savings Stamps. This revenue measure was often targeted at immigrants and school children. In many localities, public school teachers were authorized to implement the program and teach children the values of patriotism and saving.
Thrift Stamps cost twenty-five cents each, and when sixteen were collected they could be exchanged for War Savings Stamps or Certificates, which bore interest compounded quarterly at four percent and were tax free. War Savings Stamps could be registered at any post office, insuring the owner against loss, and sold back to the government through any post office with ten days written notice. The conditions placed on the program made it popular with small investors. The campaign began on 2 January 1918 and closed at the year's end. When the War Savings Stamps matured on 1 January 1923, the Treasury Department promised to pay the sum of five dollars for each certificate. In little more than a year over $1 billion was raised in this campaign, fulfilling its ideological and financial purposes.
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