Letters from Grandpa 4 May 1916

Letters from Grandpa 2 May 1916

Editor note: "Berundo" is Berendo, California, which was located in Fresno County.

Letters from Grandpa 26 April 1916

Letters from Grandpa 21 April 1916

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

My dearest Allene:-
Too late for a letter when I sent telegram yesterday so put off writing till today. A little account of my doings in explanation of my silence is in order, ---after the correspondence card of this morning's mail. 

Left Wells with the best of intentions of carrying out plans as I told you. By phone we learned "our man" was in Elko so we came straight thru' Friday and arranged to "take him on" Saturday morning. Mr. Man didn't feel right when morning came so after talking the thing over we agreed to go out to the ranch Monday and do the work there. Saturday afternoon I was "button-holed" by two men from Wells who insisted on me going back up there to do some surveying. Took train from here early Sunday morning and arrived in Wells about 9:30. Got in their big Packard and went out 50 miles to work. Finished and got back to Wells about 7:30. Was in Elko just a few minutes before midnight. Monday morning packed up and drove the Dodge to the ranch and put in two full day's work -- for which we were well paid -- and we sure need the money, but we are getting out of debt pretty fast.

Haven't had one single chance to write even a postal dear and couldn't have mailed it if I had.

We will leave here for Eureka either Sunday P.M. or Monday morning but think we will stop at a ranch or two on the way. Have received two letters besides this morning's card from you dear since my silence began and in-as-much as they were divided by a couple of day's space I'm not at all surprised at your inquiry. I think I'll be able to keep you posted - better - in the future, ~~~for the very near future at least.

That part of your letter wherein you say you're getting thin again "reads good" to me. I don't like 'em too fat -- nor you that way either. Just stay like you were when I saw you dear.

Always yours
Frank

April 21st 1916

Postcard from Grandpa 14 Apr 1916

Letters from Grandpa 13 Apr 1916

After ten days return to
D. Quilici Bros.
Wholesale and Retail

Dealers in

General Merchandise

Wells, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,

Modesto, 

California

My Dearest:- This morning, what do you think? - I've got to go and do some surveying! One of the old settlers here and for whom I've done lots of work in the past came to me and asked that I run out some lines as a personal favor. So I'm back at the old job again -- for a few hours. 

And it's cold. It froze ice last night. Well it snowed day before yesterday -- what do you think of such a blinkety blank country?

We're going to leave Wells tomorrow, - going to stop at a ranch 'tween here and Elko. Will arrive in the metropolis, said Elko, Saturday P.M., then?? for a day or two. I might add, or say, rather,that we are headed for Eureka again but will put in a day or two at Lamoille, 20 miles south-east of Elko, first.

Allene dearest, you're nothing short of a wonder, - you should know I mean it by now. I've had occasion several times before now to notice how very clever and with such simple ease you voice your feelings. I certainly admire you, dear, for it, and grieve because of my inability to be like you in that respect. I'm so darned stupid and slow - I can't talk at all. Really I have to make signs, - and it's very apparent I need some lessons even in that mode of expression.

Now that you mentioned it dear I must say your suggestion is a very sensible one; that it will be lots better if we do write less often; when there is something of mutual interest, - and not try to force ourselves into writing daily. But lissten, dear, don't let's get so negligent that we get out of the notion entirely -- of course I know I won't, - I'm only in doubt about you on that point.

That's very nice of you dear, to say the picture does not flatter. I honestly think it pretty good, - but I'll not insist on convincing you that I'm right -- other than to present my own self for comparison as soon as possible. That's fair "enuff" isn't it?

With love dearest

Yours always

Frank

April 13th, 1916

Letters from Grandpa 11 April 1916

The Allen Hotel
Geo. Allen, Prop.
Wells - - Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Dearest:- This morning's mail bro't two letters, as anticipated, from you and I feel much better than I did twenty four hours ago, and while I'm in this condition I'll pen you a few lines -- a very few because time's limited. The last west bound mail train for the day is due in a few minutes.

Started in this A.M. being very busy and kept at it till 3 P.M. or there-abouts. Then I "threw up the sponge" donned my old corduroy trousers and a pair of old tan shoes and went over to the garage where I put in the balance of the daylight part of the day going over the roadster. Although I tho't I knew every part of a car I wanted to be sure so I got the "Hints to Beginners" or "Instruction Book, [sic] or whatever they call it, and started at the starter and stopped at the stopper. I administered oil and grease, as per directions, to every place, adding a little for good measure in each instance. Tomorrow I'll wash off dirt and dust and wipe off oil and grease, of which there's plenty, then I'll polish nickel and glass, etc. till the little devil looks like it's for sale. Have run it only five or six hundred miles yet it is just covered with dirt. Nevada roads are not like California's boulevards - not at all.

Mrs. Quilici invited us, Dr. W. and I, over to dinner again today, - needless to say we accepted the "invite." And it was some dinner! She seems to have one standard and it's way up yonder. I like Mrs. Quilici, -- but dearest, you have my love.

Always,
Frank

April 11th, 1916