Letter #36

June 19, 1918

Boulder, Colorado

My Dear Sweetheart,

Yes, I received your sweet message of love this evening, just before drill. I managed to read the first page then, oh my! The whistle blew and I had to drop everything and form in line. Oh dear, how slowly the time went. We went on a short hike up Boulder Canyon, four miles and back. It was 8:00 P.M. when we got back. Still I could not read your sweet inspirations, for we were all compelled to take a shower. By the time it was all over it was 8:30 P.M. My! How time had passed by. I just pulled my shirt over my overalls and placed myself on my bunk and began reading. Well, I found time to finish yours, love. The others I received came last. I received one from Elna today. It surely was a good one. Of course, she

BOULDER CANYON, COLORADO

keeps me laughing most of the time. She surely is the same old Elna, and I hope she receives a reward from her great Maker, for she has been a brick.

I also received a good letter from Dr. Stocks on morality and intercourse. I surely makes me feel fine to receive one from the home board, especially one who examined you [Dr. Stocks delivered me… my father interjected, as he dictated this letter to me]. Now dear, don’t think I am getting too brave and saying things which should not be repeated, but you said for me to tell you everything.

I surely feel proud of my Sunday school class, for they were surely good children. It makes me think I have not been forgotten, even if I have not gone away, especially those three who wrote to me. When time permits, I am going to write each of them a letter.

Say Violet dear, you may say all you want about Mrs. Mortensen. I received a letter yesterday from her which proved to me that she surely is a grand woman. She gave me many good ideas and wished me all of the success any person could want. If that woman is properly handled, she will someday become a true Latter-day Saint. [This is the woman who housed Henry during the weekdays while he was teaching in Clinton].

Now dear, don’t think I am placing her above you, for I am not. There is no one in this whole world that can take the place you have played in my life. You have made me a better man. You have made me conquer many things which at times used to be beyond my control. They were my feelings I have often told you that. You have never seen me angry.

You say, “What about up to the canyon?” I often think of that time and think what you said to me, “Now Henry, be quiet, and don’t say such things!” And many other times you have said, “Now Henry!” and look at me with those bright loving and shining eyes, which always denoted a spirit of good friendship to all.

Yes, before I forget it, you tell Mrs. Barlow (Clyde’s mother) that Clyde was telling her a big story, for he has been with George and me only two evenings, and that was when we went to the “Y”. He has never been to church one Sunday yet, that is to the LDS church, and as to the cake, yes, he gave us some. It was surely good and I enjoyed it. There is one thing I am going to do, and that is to ask Clyde why he wrote home and told his mother such things when he knew they were untrue.

Well sweetheart, I haven’t got any mother here to look after me, for if I had, she would have told me to have gone to bed long ago. Silly, but you surely miss Mom when you’re away.

Henry misses his mother Eliza Dittmore Call, here with her 9 children. Henry is on the far right.

I’ve been keeping things from you which make me feel quite guilty, and here it is: I have been quite sick. It is just a case of hoarseness. I have been unable to talk the last two days. I have been to the doctor three times for it, and he only gives me some tablets which didn’t seem to be of any value to me. So I went downtown and got me some glycerin. I have felt better today. I will be alright in a few days. Just keep sending those sweet love messages. I am afraid, dear, it will be impossible for me to get a furlough at the end of the course. So if you wish to seem before I leave, you will have to come here. But let us both trust in God for the best, and all will be for the best.

Well, I am so tired I must go to bed, so I will say goodnight, with a good, big kiss. I wish you the blessings of life.

As always, your sweetheart,

Henry