1920s Letters

 My Most Dearest Sweetheart, etc., My “thought for the day” has been “Blow, Bugle, Blow.” I've used up my last remaining dozen of handkerchiefs, and I don't know what I'll do tomorrow. (time out for sniffles) They started us out in the old grind today. We were supposed to register for the new term today, but I forgot all about it until it was too late. And now there are 10 more days in this month, and I've got the whole sum of $4 00 to last me. And there's a $3 00 fine for late registration. 4 – 3 = 1. But don't worry! Sarah Harlan, my boarding house woman's daughter is the ass't. Registrar, and she's going to bring a card home, let me sign it, and then slip it in. Seestern, verdad? Well! Dearest! Sweetheart! Light of my soul! My wonder girl! My “speckled beauty”! – you were freckled when you went away, but I guess you aren't now – don't get lonesome, and don't let me bore you, and write me a lot. Love, Henry

Dearest Googlum, They're (exams) all over. I've just been over to get my Physics paper – got 71. Congratulations are in order. (its 11 P.M. at present So I'll try to make this short + sweet. My biggest worry now is Chem. ---- Oh, Hel!en I'm going to forget about 'em. Just before I got my paper, Ralph + Henry Moore and I got wreckless and indulged in Came Kirby. It was pretty good, but nothing extra. I haven't heard yet whether or not my bet has been accepted. Time out for ears. I've been out relieving my knawing pains of hunger in the Cozy Café. It's 20 minutes of 12, about 3 hrs past my bedtime. I'll try to write more coherent and interesting letters hereafter, and I'll get them off so they won't come two on the same day. Much love, dear, my eyes are about shot, Henry .

                                   appropos?  Dearest DumDora,  Well, dearest, there's no rest for the wicked. My sins are upon me! I've busted all the exams I've taken so far (2 1/3 courses) and I haven't much hope for the next three. So you see, you would have had almost a cinch if you had taken me up. In case I do last through next term, won't you please take me up on that bet. I'll promise not to win, but that's unnecessary. Or if you don't want any candy or anything, why just tell me you'll reward me, with the aforementioned dimes. It won't hurt you any, and it may keep me in school. How about it? The bet's about the grades we get in June. ¿ Savez? Ralph wants to know who told you that you could print. Says your n ( π) looks like pie. You girls may be unlucky about getting your noses broken when you dance on the Gym floor (I hope your nose does not become metamor...

                       French Dearest femme I've taken to the French again because I've got a final coming soon, and the practice might help me. Your letter and snap sure were a pleasant surprise – I guess it was the rest of that unfinished letter you sent me earlier in the week. The pictures were not duplicates, and what kind of paper you write on doesn't make a ------ bit of difference, just so you write ! Your grades are fine as silk, dearest: I don't see you get along with so many courses; my 5 have me down. Do you want to do me a big favor? Accept a bet with me. I'll bet a 5 lb. box of candy or anything I can give you against the usual 5 Y. Q. 's (yankee dimes), that my grades average for the spring term are higher than yours for the spring term. That gives you a chance to get some candy; and it'll make me work instead of fooling around [like crossed out] as I have been. How about it? Please answer me! I know you're ti...

 Dearest Hel., You sure do play it (Hel) – here I ought to be writing a couple of Physics experiments, or studying French or Chem or Zo or something, but such is your irresistable charm that I have to write to you. Going to give me a kiss for that? I have not alluded to the weather for a long time now, Sweetness, and so upon such an unprecedented occasion, I must tell you – it has snowed, it snows, and will continue to snow, I think, from the appearance of things. I just wrote to Mother a week ago, and asked her to send my bathing suit. Oh, of course, I'll put it on as soon as it comes. I have memorized all your letters to date; hence I think I can learn “I've got a cross eyed Daddy,” etc. without difficulty. The crosseyed part is very appropriate, and I hope that “Of all the boys I love him best” is, too. Tell Henry I'll let her kiss you for me until I'm able to perform the said operation myself – get in the habit of taking them and try to enjoy them – men I mean. ...

Dearest old Queen, Your last letter was a humdinger, what there was of it, and after reading over about ten times I've decided that I've seen just about 1/10 as much of your writing as I'd like to -- that's, for the time being. I'm immeasurably indebted for your picture, and expect some more anxiously. Your looking nice, and big and fat, dear, (this all complimentary), so I guess you must be feeling good. Of course I'm sorry that your beautiful valentine was wasted on Ruth; but if you tell me a lot that you love me a lot in a lot of long letters, why I'll be more than appeased. Is that my ring on your finger (in the picture)? You might try putting it on the one (finger) next to it just to see how a prettier one would feel. Sam and May Belle have got an apartment and settled down to married life. Old Mrs. Brownlee is heart broken. I guess we'd better not run off when we get our knot tied. Old Texas has won twelve games in basketball and lost none – ...

Dearest “Little?” “Valentine,” Honey-bunch (sweet), it's been so long since I've written you, or it seems to me, that I'm afraid I've lost all my literary skill – the skill which you seem too admire so much. But you are most completely forgiven. You always have been, but I thought maybe I'd better give you a little rest. Do you like my pictorial products better than my literary? Please excuse blots and plotches – this dawgone paper soaks up ink like a blotter, especially that black ink. I've put six hours fixing up the n-----, though, so you had better appreciate him. [He drew a cartoonish figure on the envelope and used a racist slur to describe it.] Here's some news for a change – Sam Oliver Miller and May Belle Brownlee (my rooming house lady's daughter) ran off and got married yesterday. How long before we'll be doing something like that? Pretty soon? Oh, about 7 yrs., you say? Well, that's not so good, but it could be worse. Sam's a ...