Letter to Paul B, May 4, 1919

[Received May 23, 1919]

Danville Ills.

May- 4 -1919

Dear Paul-

I received your letter over a week ago. It was dated Mar 31. I was glad you got the picture O.K. and that you liked it. And as to the question you asked about whether I was as good-looking as the picture is one which I can not answer myself as I really don't know. So you will have to answer for yourself when you come home. I hope you won't be disappointed. I don't know whether you are kidding or not, but I have never had a reason to doubt your word, so I won't now.

I am well and working hard. Am still going to school. We only have four more nights and then well will have a long vacation. We sure won't be sorry to see the last night come either except that we have to take a hard test that evening.

We are having very rainy weather. It rained every day last week. We have had two showers today. This is Sunday afternoon and I didn't have any place to go, so guess I will stay at home.

I have been watching the papers and I have seen several articles about the 33rd Division. But none of them say when it will start home. I had thot that you would be well on your way home by now but it doesn't look much like it.

Battery A are supposed to land in Danville next Sunday. There sure will be a big time here when they come.

You say you are not becoming a great musician; perhaps not but if you practice most of your time as you say then there will certainly be improvement, for practice makes perfect. I know it helped me once. But I do not play an hour a week now, but as soon as school is out I am going to take up my practice as I once did and try to get back to where I left off two years ago. But it is not an easy thing to gain what has been lost.

I haven't seen your mother for a week now. I may go up there this evening. They have several new pieces I would like to hear. I would rather hear that victrola than any other one I have ever heard. It is so different from other machines. I bet you will enjoy it immensley when you come home. I remember how you were always wishing for one a long time ago. But you never dreamed did you? that your mother & father would buy one.

Well the sun is out again, sunshine after a storm.

Say Paul do you know I still have your kodak down here. Don't use it very much as the sun rarely shines on Sunday. Ruby and I took some pictures the other day when I was home at noon. Will get them tomorrow. Hope they will be good. I have a film in it today, but no one to take pictures with. Ruby is not at home. I expect you think I have my nerve keeping your kodak but no one uses it up there and I am taking good care of it. You will have to collect your belongings when you get back for I have one of your books, some music and your kodak. But you never used to object, so maybe you won't now.

I saw Olan down town last night, but he didn't see me.

I am not sure but I believe it was on May 5th last that we saw you at the depot on your way to France. I have never been able to fully realize that I saw you. It was so unexpected and realy seems like a dream yet. Many things have happened in that year. Then the war was raging now it seems to be practically over. Many lives lost, and many the heart that has been broken in that year and yet on the other hand many hearts have been made glad in the last few months by so many of the boys coming home. This is a queer world, I often wonder what it's all about

The people living down the street have a player piano and a whole house full of company. They seem to be good singers too and are making some real good music.

I forgot to tell you that Carl Wahfeldt had quit Emery's over a month ago. He hasn't been working at all just staying home. His little brother said he was going to the Prouty to work. Poor place for a window trimmer don't you think? Carl is a good one too, but I think he didn't like to work under Clarence, his brother after he came home from England as he had been his own boss while Clarence was gone. And you can't blame him there. Clarence is the best looking but of the two I like Carl much better.

You certainly are welcome to all the enjoyment you get from that picture. As to getting acquainted again, I don't see why we should have any difficulty unless we have both changed more than we think. But I hope our long-standing friendship will never cease.

As ever your little Pal Cecil.