July 7, 1927, Rockville Center, New York, to El Paso

July 7 Dearest : It is more than a week since I wrote you last and I can't refrain now despite the fact that I have as yet no word from you. I am now a well digger and in the middle of the first week of the hardening process. The work is hard, the sleeping accomodations terrible but I think it will be healthy. We are located outside of Rockville Center and all you do is work and sleep. But as it is I get very little time to do any thing since every one turns in at night with the chickens and I have been content to do so thus far. This is 5:30 A.M. Thursday and I will wake up thinking of you so I know I wouldn't get to sleep again and I wanted to write you. The 4th of July was certainly a safe and same week-end. I have met some very nice people during my stay on the island and I am working with two Southern gentlemen on this well digging proposition. They both hail from Arkansas and they play a mean game of bridge. They really are damn good gents. I will mail that picture I promised you if I ever get to a Post Office again. The thing is about worn out from the bearing of travel already. I get depressed every time I write since I can't help feeling of what little avail it all is. I am dissatisfied each time. However you are the sweetest girl I know as you have been since I met you two and half years ago and you are so essential to my ultimate happiness as my heart is to the well-being of my body. I love you sanely and rationally now, since I am not with you. I wonder what it is that so restricts a man in the presence of the woman he loves. I wonder if it is mere intellect that is the hampering impediment. I know that you love me in a way at least but I wish that you would try to explain one little thing that you said one night when I was kissing you. It was something about whether I considered our love pure. It didn't noticeably record itself in the ecstasy and delight of the moment but now that I am far way I can't help but wonder. I wish you would tell me your story from beginning to end even if it takes a book. As for me I am absolutely pure and untainted and my love for you has remained true tho I have had many occassions to go out with other girls since I met you. Please help me solve the puzzle of my existence. How many times I wish for you to be near me so that I could show you in little ways that I love you; just as many times am I momentarily sickened because I can not. But there is something, some forces which makes me optimistic; as I have not been for two years. Perhaps it is an unforgivable conceit, but I don't think so. If it is I am unable to see or perceive its foundation and that is why I shall always as long as I live remember you. Right now that's the best and only thing I do but I can't afford it some times. Yesterday I was tightening up at the top of a 64 ft well and I stopped to rest and got thinking of you way up there, on nothing on the top of the world as it seems to me; but I soon awoke when I started falling off. It's funny how timid you are at first at a thing like that and how callous to chance after a while. The first few seconds I was hanging on for dear life and then I gradually got so that I don't mind a bit as long as I have one hand within reach of a brace. Now let me instruct you to think of me sometimes and if it is at night just send me a kiss because you will probably be living in my mind's eye. And do let me know if any thing happens to you of great or little importance and I will do likewise. Sunday I am going to write you a volume as I have no time to finish now. As I said before, remember me and love me. Ted. Address General Delivery Rockville Center, New York P.S. I would write in French once in the while had I a dictionary for reference. I may anyway because it will do some good and will be a change.