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Letter #26 University of Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
June 7, 1918
My Dear Violet,
Say, if you only knew how I felt today at noon, after going through the mail to see if I had a letter from my love, and to find nothing. I have only received the one you wrote Sunday and Monday morning, which was very short, but with a great deal in it, for I have read it over and over again, to satisfy my burning love for you.
I surely can say that "absence makes the heart grow fonder." For I have looked at the picture you sent me a great deal. Of course, your bright, radiant face and smiles are surely tempting for a soldier. It puts me in mind of the first night I have ever kissed you. When you gave me the picture of Elna, you told me to kiss it.
Say, there is something else I did not notice until yesterday. On the picture, beside yourself and Lady Noreen, did you notice it? It is the bright thing on your finger. It surely did make me feel funny all over. There seemed to be a chill go up my back, and a lump rise in my throat. I showed it to George.
He just smile and said it surely is plain. Well, dear, I am surely am proud to think I have such a girl wearing such a sacred thing. I do not know what I would do here in the world among sin and no one to write to and love. Above all, I have something to live for, and it is the greatest help I have, for I am tempted to do things. You, dear, always come up before me, and then I stop and give it a second thought, which is always right. If you only knew what help it is to a person away from home, and especially to a soldier.
If girls and women only knew some of the things men say about them, they surely would be against the association with them. Violet, dear, sometimes it almost makes me shudder to hear some of them pass remarks about women, and about what they would like to do, and all you may not know. I am surely glad you don't hear these things, for I would feel better that you don't.
They say them and I cannot go around with my ears closed, for I am here to learn, but not that kind of training. For it is something which is not essential in life to know. Now, do not think I am too forward in my talk, but you asked me to talk as if I were near you. I do not know what to say to make you understand that I feel so far away from you and distant. If that be the case, please tell me dear, what you would like to know.
Well, dear, it is Friday night and all the work is done. Nothing to do but to go to bed and sleep, if I can, but I always wander back to you and Mother before going to sleep, and then going before my God to ask for protection and health, which I need plenty of. I am to be inoculated tomorrow. My vaccination did not work. I suppose I will have to be vaccinated again. So, I guess I will spend Sunday in the barracks or to church if I am well enough. Well, dear, here is hoping I am able to go. I am in good condition, otherwise.
You may want to know what I have been doing since Wednesday. I have been working on the cement sidewalk we are putting in. I have been doing all kinds of work, pushing the Irish buggy, operating the gas engine, and mixer, and finishing off cement. I am getting some tradesmen. If you have any cement work to be done, please let me know, I will come home and do it.
I have been drilling tonight with the rifles. Here are some of the commands (You may raise the broom if you haven't a rifle). "Port Arms," "Present Arms," "Right Shoulder Arms," "Left Shoulder Arms," "Parade Rest," then last, "Stand At Ease." Can you do them? If so, you could be in the army, too. Some of the other commands, "Attention!," "For-ward!," "Squad Right-Left," "Left and Right Face," "Column Right Left," "Right by Squads," "Left Oblique, Right." Then, most fun is "To the Rear, March." These are most of the commands we have received so far. They are as I remember them. When I get home, I will line you up and have you march to them, as you had Delores and I do once. I forgot one. "Eyes to the front," which we have a great deal of fun with. If any of the boys are looking at the girls, we usually say, "Eyes to the front." Of course, I am always looking to the front. Ha! Ha! There's another one we use, but I cannot repeat it, for it is unsanitary to use it.
George received a box of chocolates from his girl yesterday. They surely were fine. He brought them down to my room, so Clyde would not get them, for Clyde would open George’s suitcase, take just what he wanted and not even say thank you. That is the one. George can trust them in my room
It surely makes wish I were home when they tell me strawberries are ripe.
Well, whatever you do, just go right down to our patch and eat enough for yourself and for me, too, for I am just starving for something like that. We can't get off at night to go downtown to buy any fruit. We have dried prunes and peaches about twice a week. Do you like scrambled eggs and brains? They almost pull my shoe strings. Another thing is their hash. Well, dear, do not think I am complaining, for I am not. It is raining now, just one of those Colorado showers. It is making things look more beautiful.
Did you hear me laugh? One of the fellows is playing the Victor and is trying to dance, but he can't and I can't get the dance spirit either, for there is something lacking, and that's the way I feel. There is only one thing lacking, and that is you, dear.
Well, I must stop or the mailman will charge me over-fare. Ha-ha. Well, dear, I hope you are enjoying yourself, for there is only one thing I must conquer and that is my worry of when I am going to return. If there were something I could look forward to, army life would not be so lonely after all. Now, dear, that is not referring to you. I would only like to be back there with you and the h--- with the army. You may pinch me, if you like. Please, one big smack. Thanks! I wish God's blessings of health and strength for you.
Your Sweetheart Soldier, Henry
Boulder, Colorado
June 7, 1918
My Dear Violet,
Say, if you only knew how I felt today at noon, after going through the mail to see if I had a letter from my love, and to find nothing. I have only received the one you wrote Sunday and Monday morning, which was very short, but with a great deal in it, for I have read it over and over again, to satisfy my burning love for you.
I surely can say that "absence makes the heart grow fonder." For I have looked at the picture you sent me a great deal. Of course, your bright, radiant face and smiles are surely tempting for a soldier. It puts me in mind of the first night I have ever kissed you. When you gave me the picture of Elna, you told me to kiss it.
Say, there is something else I did not notice until yesterday. On the picture, beside yourself and Lady Noreen, did you notice it? It is the bright thing on your finger. It surely did make me feel funny all over. There seemed to be a chill go up my back, and a lump rise in my throat. I showed it to George.
He just smile and said it surely is plain. Well, dear, I am surely am proud to think I have such a girl wearing such a sacred thing. I do not know what I would do here in the world among sin and no one to write to and love. Above all, I have something to live for, and it is the greatest help I have, for I am tempted to do things. You, dear, always come up before me, and then I stop and give it a second thought, which is always right. If you only knew what help it is to a person away from home, and especially to a soldier.
If girls and women only knew some of the things men say about them, they surely would be against the association with them. Violet, dear, sometimes it almost makes me shudder to hear some of them pass remarks about women, and about what they would like to do, and all you may not know. I am surely glad you don't hear these things, for I would feel better that you don't.
They say them and I cannot go around with my ears closed, for I am here to learn, but not that kind of training. For it is something which is not essential in life to know. Now, do not think I am too forward in my talk, but you asked me to talk as if I were near you. I do not know what to say to make you understand that I feel so far away from you and distant. If that be the case, please tell me dear, what you would like to know.
Well, dear, it is Friday night and all the work is done. Nothing to do but to go to bed and sleep, if I can, but I always wander back to you and Mother before going to sleep, and then going before my God to ask for protection and health, which I need plenty of. I am to be inoculated tomorrow. My vaccination did not work. I suppose I will have to be vaccinated again. So, I guess I will spend Sunday in the barracks or to church if I am well enough. Well, dear, here is hoping I am able to go. I am in good condition, otherwise.
You may want to know what I have been doing since Wednesday. I have been working on the cement sidewalk we are putting in. I have been doing all kinds of work, pushing the Irish buggy, operating the gas engine, and mixer, and finishing off cement. I am getting some tradesmen. If you have any cement work to be done, please let me know, I will come home and do it.
I have been drilling tonight with the rifles. Here are some of the commands (You may raise the broom if you haven't a rifle). "Port Arms," "Present Arms," "Right Shoulder Arms," "Left Shoulder Arms," "Parade Rest," then last, "Stand At Ease." Can you do them? If so, you could be in the army, too. Some of the other commands, "Attention!," "For-ward!," "Squad Right-Left," "Left and Right Face," "Column Right Left," "Right by Squads," "Left Oblique, Right." Then, most fun is "To the Rear, March." These are most of the commands we have received so far. They are as I remember them. When I get home, I will line you up and have you march to them, as you had Delores and I do once. I forgot one. "Eyes to the front," which we have a great deal of fun with. If any of the boys are looking at the girls, we usually say, "Eyes to the front." Of course, I am always looking to the front. Ha! Ha! There's another one we use, but I cannot repeat it, for it is unsanitary to use it.
George received a box of chocolates from his girl yesterday. They surely were fine. He brought them down to my room, so Clyde would not get them, for Clyde would open George’s suitcase, take just what he wanted and not even say thank you. That is the one. George can trust them in my room
It surely makes wish I were home when they tell me strawberries are ripe.
Well, whatever you do, just go right down to our patch and eat enough for yourself and for me, too, for I am just starving for something like that. We can't get off at night to go downtown to buy any fruit. We have dried prunes and peaches about twice a week. Do you like scrambled eggs and brains? They almost pull my shoe strings. Another thing is their hash. Well, dear, do not think I am complaining, for I am not. It is raining now, just one of those Colorado showers. It is making things look more beautiful.
Did you hear me laugh? One of the fellows is playing the Victor and is trying to dance, but he can't and I can't get the dance spirit either, for there is something lacking, and that's the way I feel. There is only one thing lacking, and that is you, dear.
Well, I must stop or the mailman will charge me over-fare. Ha-ha. Well, dear, I hope you are enjoying yourself, for there is only one thing I must conquer and that is my worry of when I am going to return. If there were something I could look forward to, army life would not be so lonely after all. Now, dear, that is not referring to you. I would only like to be back there with you and the h--- with the army. You may pinch me, if you like. Please, one big smack. Thanks! I wish God's blessings of health and strength for you.
Your Sweetheart Soldier, Henry
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