Letters from Grandpa 22 Oct 1915

Editor's comment:
This letter is missing it's envelope, and Grandpa didn't  include the year in his date, so I have had to do some deducing from the letter itself and from a perpetual calendar to decide which Friday the 22nd was the proper one. I believe I have the correct date, and that this letter belonged at the beginning of this series. However, I include it here rather than waiting any longer to transcribe it.

Dear Allene:--
If I could write such dandy--perfectly grand--readable letters as you 'twould give me almost as much pleasure as it does to receive 'em. I'd tell you all the news in the same delightfully interesting way and if I ran short of actual events I'd fill in with probable ones 'till I'd have to use ten cents postage--at least--on each letter. But I'm built on a different plan and am not bestowed with talent that talent. About all I can do is to relate facts and answer questions--and in a brief way so here goes.

Had a very pleasant time in San Luis Obispo visiting old friends. Was there a half a day. Arrived in the city [i.e. San Francisco-ed] Saturday night.

Saw Mr. and Mrs. Maze Monday evening for a few minutes only. I was to have phoned them Tuesday noon but failed and when I called at the hotel about four thirty that afternoon they had gone home--or elsewhere?

I've been on the jump every second but expect to take the long one to Elko Sunday, so you'd better address your next letter there.

I suppose by now you are almost accustomed to prison life and find it isn't so bad after all. How about it? There are lots of things that are terrible to take but alright when you get used to 'em.

Did I notice??!!! You called me by my first name.-- I should say I did, dear, and it gave me a very agreeable thrill. Of course I wanted you to call me by the name I used. Think I want you to be painfully formal with me?--Huh?

Oh say I'm enclosing the pictures for you inspection--and collection---I'm offering no comments as you know I want to remain neutral.

Do you know the first place I'm going when I get back to Elko?--Well I won't keep you in suspense--"Twill be the post office, so don't you dare disappoint me.

Buenos noches, dear.
Frank

Berkeley
Friday the 22nd

P.S.- "M.H.D." stands for Mae Hutcheson Dalton,- my cousin. [This letter was written on monogrammed stationery-ed.]

P.P.S. Hope this letter passes the board of censors down there.
Him

Letters from Grandpa 30 March 1916

Hotel Mayer
Elko, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley,
Modesto,
California

Dearest; Where are you? Another day has gone and I've failed to hear from you and I'm getting anxious, even tho' you did tell me that you'd not give me the G.B. Am going to the photographers this afternoon, so if you want that picture you'd better come to life. And tomorrow we are going to Wells. If you'd have given me your Berkeley address dear, I'd have sent my baby (?) brother to call on you, but maybe I'd have regretted it as you know he's one of the eligibles.

Well I just wish you'd hurry home if you can't find the time to write me even a postal while you're away. Your silence is just what Sherman said about war, so "come to" dear.

Ever yours
Frank

March 30th, 1916

Letters from Grandpa 26 March 1916

Commercial Hotel
W. M. Doyle, Prop.
Elko, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto Berkeley
California
2800 Regent St.

Elko Home Dearest,
Again a few lines but not in answer to the big bunch I just received. And when I say big bunch I mean it. Lost count at five and there was more. These few lines are to let you know I'm here and safe and thinking of you--and wishing for the impossible;-which is that you were here now.

The little Dodge is out in front of the hotel just calling me dear and I'm calling you--won't you come and take a ride and--well I'll tell you when I see you. Those letters were about the very bestest welcome I could get--unless it was you----and that's the only alternative I'd have appreciated more.---Now you see?

There's one thing more-perhaps pursuit is right, perhaps I know it; perhaps I slipped but by golly, dear, I'd have lost out in a spelling match, cause I'd surely have spelled it "per" and never have given it a second tho't.

I like to be corrected in my orthography and grammar.

Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can get a picture taken.

We won't leave for a couple of days and then to Montello for a few days only.-----maybe. Will wire you fully as soon as I decide.

Always with all my love dear.
Yours
Frank

March 26th 1916

Note: This letter was forwarded from Modesto, I believe, because the address on the envelope had been changed with different hand writing.-ed.

Letters from Grandpa 25 March 1916

The Brown Hotel
Daniel Morrison, Prop.
Eureka, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley
Modesto 2800 Regent St.
Berkeley
California

Variety, sure enuff, is the spice of life, Dearest and if that little old measly correspondence card hadn't been backed up with a couple of lively, open souled, "you-ey" letters, ("chummy" you correctly called that kind dear) I'd have kicked like a steer. Anyhow I didn't have time to write a decent letter that day and it came as an excuse for the thing I sent. Then when those two letters came dear I was so jubilant I just couldn't write and I've been busy - every second - since yesterday morning and am going to be the balance of the day. You'll get this tho' dear just as soon as you would had I written it yesterday and mailed it last night,-so-Yes so-

This is a little over twenty four hours since I wrote that so, dear. And a patient is to blame for it.

Yesterday forenoon-(this is Saturday) I tho't I could steal "enuff" time to finish a letter- the delayed one,-but no such luck. Now I'm in Palisade, on the main line, and only thirty miles from home, and have forgotten what I was going to say after so; you must know tho' Allene dear, that it was something nice,-not a complaint. You can surly write lovely letters dear and these last three -(another has been received)- are excellent samples of your abilities in that line.

Golly dear, I wish the train I am waiting for was going to take me to Modesto,-and you. Time is an awful slow poke when you are anticipating some pleasure,--and it's sure running in low for me.

With love, dearest,
Always
Frank

March 25th