Letter #30

Letter # 30 University of Colorado

Boulder, Colorado

June 11, 1918

My Dear Sweetheart,

I have just received your letter of which was filled with love-light shining from your innermost soul. When I look at those pictures, it makes me feel homesick. I feel I want to be back on the farm with my sweetheart in my hands. They surely were good, especially that one in which you and Lady Norine are in. I don't want to be selfish, but I wish it were me you were holding, instead of Lady Norine. Say, do you mean what you say about the picture of the piglets, for they surely look fine, if they do belong to the Call farm.

You spoke of you telling me everything, dear. Well, I have not held anything back but one or two things. I thought that it would be lowering my respect for you to discuss certain things. To me, it is something which should not be repeated, although the officers have spoken of it, and I believe most of the men have carried it through. Now dear, please remember that there is nothing I am holding back, for I am telling you things which I could not tell to other girls, but I could trust you always, dear love, even with my life.

You spoke about re-reading your letters. Well, I read yours more than once to keep me from getting lonely at times. But, if I still continue to work as hard the remainder of the time, I will be compelled to reduce down on letter writing: but not to you, for it is the last thing I do before going to bed, and I would send you a big kiss and sign my name, for that would help a little.

We surely are working hard. We have just completed unloading a car of cement. And the teacher told us we were free after we finished. So, I'm at the U trying to see if I can help comfort my little love at home.

It is trying to rain again. I can always tell when it is going to rain, for I did my washing last night. Of course, they do not look like they had been done by some laundry, but they are clean. I don't have any bluing. I surely wish I had some sweet little girl to wash for me. It wouldn't make any difference if she came from Bountiful. Ha Ha. You thought I was going to say Boulder. Well, I should say not, for I haven't any time to think of other girls here.

You asked me about myself. I think I told you I was plenty warm now since I have been moved downstairs onto the main floor. My cold is better now and I am in the best of health. Now, dear, get it off your mind, for I will take care of myself so that I will be able to return back to you a better man than when I left.

We were given our working uniforms last night. You ought to see me in them. They are blue and two pieces. We have the trousers, and “middy.” I do not know what to call it, for one must slip it over his head to get it on. We went down town this afternoon in the army trucks. We surely looked fine. Everybody began smiling and waving at us, but, of course, we didn't wave back. (Trust us.)

I have something funny to tell you. Now, don't laugh, will you? Clyde has been put into the ‘awkward squad.’ He says he doesn't see Henry D. Call in his uniform 1918

why he was put there and not with the rest of us.

Well, I can tell him. It is only because he won't stop to think what is being told to him.

We were all invited to attend the commencement exercises of the university today. We went in a body. They surely clapped when we all got in. It was held at the new auditorium -- the one which was on the picture I sent you.

Sunday I was taking the part of the girl, George was the young man. First we went to my room and got cake and apples, and from there we went to the post office with letters. George said he had a nickel, so we went up Pearl Street, then back to the county building and sat for a while. All the time the nickel was burning in his pocket. So, before leaving, we spent the change for lemon drops. We surely had a feed.

Now, don't think we were broke, for each of us have a ten dollar bill in our pockets. We are saving it for a purpose. Probably you will find out later what I am saving it for. But, listen to me, we have some time coming our way. Of course, Clyde went to Denver. But, my day is coming later. Clyde has wired home for $15 more. He had $20 when he left home and where it has gone, I do not know. For there is no need of anyone spending it as he does. For example: 25 cents per day for tobacco. That is enough for 8 letters to someone I am sure would like to hear from him.

Well dear, thank God that such a habit has not been working on me. It surely is a dirty, low, filthy habit. For many of the men seem to be like a garbage can, with a great deal of waste in it.

Before I forget it, try and paste the envelope down better, for it was nearly open. And I don't want anyone to read my letters, for they are for me only, and I am selfish enough about the love you send to not allow anyone to have one atom of it. Do you blame me, dear?

The thing Jay said about you was something and I was proud of it. Jay would not say anything bad, for there is nothing. He only said, "Well, Henry, I surely admire you for your courage, and about the way your sweetheart acts, for she surely is a nice, beautiful young lady. She surely would make anyone a great helpmate through life."

Well, I agree with him, dear. He need not tell me that. I guess by the way I write, you think I am losing some of my love for you. I should say not, dear, for it is becoming more and more mixed into my life, as the time goes on. I'm surely looking forward to the day when I will be able to return back again to my sweetheart at home.

Well, dear, goodnight and a good, big kiss. Oh, make it two, won't you? Yes, here goes! XX….. I wish you all the blessings of life. P.S. Love to all. Tell all the neighbors hello.

Your loving Sweetheart Henry XX