Letter to Paul B, April 12, 1919

[Received perhaps June 15, 1919]

[Envelope postmarked at Danville on April 14, 1919. Envelope stamped twice "UncLaimed, RETURN TO WRITER" and once with the apparent forwarding address of "CAMP GRANT, ILL". On the back of the envelope is a second postmark of "Rockford, Ill., June 12, 1919, Grant Branch." It's apparent, therefore, that this letter never reached Paul until long after he had arrived home in Danville on June 6.]

Danville Illinois

April-12-1919-

My Dear Friend:-

This is the twelfth of April, just two years ago this afternoon I saw you hurrying down the street in your uniform carrying your cornet. And I thought that I might never see you again. But I have seen you twice since then once the next morning when you came home, and once that early morning in May almost a year ago. And now I'm hoping if all reports are true to see you again soon, as I have learned from the newspapers and your last letter to your mother that you were due to start home very soon. Perhaps you are on your way now. Your mother received a letter from you Wednesday, and I have looked for one every day since but as yet have not received one. I received five cards from you about two weeks ago. The ones you mailed while in southern France. They were beautiful and I have a slight imagination of how much more beautiful the real scenes were. I sure am glad you enjoyed the trip. So different from most of your life overseas.

I am well and working hard every day. My work at the office is very heavy, and then my studies in addition I haven't studied but very little lately. Just to show you how busy I have been this week I am going to tell you what I have done each night.

Staid at home all day Sunday and so thot we would go to the show in the evening for a change, Ruby and I. Then Monday evening was school. Tuesday evening I had to fit the new dress which your mother made for me, and after coming home I studied until ten o'clock. Then Wednesday night the "Shepherd of the Hills" was played at the Fischer. and I couldn't miss it So went to the show again. Thursday evening was school again, but having so much work to get done at the office another girl and I worked until ten-thirty. Then last night I staid at home intending to study but Grandma and Grandpa were here and I couldn't get my mind on lessons so I played the piana awhile and then went to bed early. Tonight being Sat. night I had to work again. Just got home a little while ago. Am sitting up in bed writing this. Tomorrow my cousin Henry is coming over and I won't get any lessons done or anything else. So don't you think I am pretty busy?

Paul I wish you could have seen the "Shepherd of the Hills." It was wonderful. I enjoyed it very much and I feel sure you would have. It was several years ago when I read the story but it all came back to me when I saw the picture. The scenery up in the mountains was beautiful and it was very much like the book and not changed like some plays are. Some people said they couldn't understand it because it was deep, but I like deep things myself. They had wonderful music also. played "Trameri," "Rosary," and many pieces I know.

The other evening when I was up to your house, I brot home some of your music which was lying on your desk. among them are "Imogene," "Pleides" and several that we played together. It seems like old times when I play them over, only that one thing is missing, you and your cornet.

One of my soldier friends came home this week. He was never overseas tho. He came up to the store to see Joesie and I, Friday, but I haven't seen him since. I didn't write him very much never answered the last letter I received from him which was over a month ago. So it looks as tho he wouldn't have much use for me.

My new dress which your mother made me is real pretty. Dark blue satin. I believe I will like it very much. I am going to buy me a new coat next week and then I will be ready for Spring. Clothes sure are high Coats are forty and fifty dollars. That looks like too much for a spring coat. But what is a person to do. You have to have one and you want a good-looking one when you do get one.

We have our new room all finished but papering, and we put our bed and furniture in anyway until next week, because we couldn't paper right away on account of the beaver boards which we lined it with pulling apart in one place and had to be renailed. Seems to be all right now though. Our room will look real nice when we get finished with straightening it up. It is handy too and we have a little clothes closet all our own.

Well I must quit and go to sleep or else I won't want to get up in the morning and study.

Hoping this letter finds you in the good old U.S.A. I am as ever your little Pal - Cecil.