Letters from Grandpa 30 November 1915

Return address on envelope:
F. H. Russell, C. E.
Surveyor and Draftsman
Wells, Elko, Nevada

Written on stationery from:
Commercial Hotel
W. M. Doyle, Prop.
Elko, Nevada

Miss Allene S. Kelley
Huntington Hall
South Pasadena, California

Allene Dear:-

Every day since Thanksgiving I've tried to write to you and it seems as tho' I must have used up about all the stationery in town, but thanks for the fact there is still a fair sized stock of it still on hand here in the hotel. Do you know, dear, I'm the "funniest" fellow. There are times--days, weeks, even months--when I can't write to save my soul. I can't tell what causes it myself and it makes me so mad I just swear like sixty at myself. Well I guess I've just passed thru' one of those spells,--I'm in hopes it's passed away anyhow.

Your letter from Huntington Hall saying you were going to San Diego to be away five days wasn't received, dear, till Thanksgiving morning, and 'twas written on Monday so I didn't have time to reach you by letter there, even if I could have written. The postal was received yesterday. Day before yesterday I got a dandy letter from Mrs. Maze and of course I'll answer it as soon as I can. Gee, she's a dandy lady,~I "sure" like her.

Did you have your fill of Thanksgiving goodies? I certainly did and it took me about two days to "overcome my error"-(apologies to Mrs. M.)

You want to know if it really is so cold here. Well you bet it is,~there's snow and ice everywhere!! I'll be away from it tho' pretty soon. I'm going to leave Elko for good~and I hope it's for better, or rather, best.

Took my old Huiton [sp?-ed.] back a short time ago and as soon as I get my business straightened out here I'll drive it to Los Angeles. Expect to get started in a week or so.

Did you enjoy the San Diego fair? Beautiful buildings and grounds, but more like a park than a fair, I tho't.

I'm expecting a letter from you in the morning, dear, telling me you received the candy I expressed to H. Hall to so's to reach there and you Thanksgiving Day. Of course you didn't know it was coming so didn't stay "home" to receive it when it arrived.

Guess I'd better stop writing or I won't have anything to tell you when I answer that letter so, good night dear.

Sincerely yours
Frank


Elko-
November 30th ~1915~

Letters from Grandpa 19 November 1915

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

Miss Allene S. Kelley
Huntington Hall
South Pasadena, California

In all that long (?) letter I wrote you last night Dear--and with all the time I put in on it--I neglected to thank you for the picture taken at Mojave. You never fail to express your appreciation and thanks when I give you things, girlie, and really just an acknowledgement of the receipt would be sufficient, because I know you appreciate them. Of course I like to have you thank me and all that, but should you fail to do so I would consider it just a simple forgivable oversight,--and I expect the same forgiveness from you dear. That's not unreasonable, is it?

This morning I was agreeably welcomed at the post office by your letter.

Glad you enjoyed the candy and that Mrs. Coolidge likes the look of my back. You might tell her that I'm really very pleasant looking and am not at all ashamed of my face.--That is if you can tell it with a sincere look. Of course I wouldn't have her know we were joshing.

So you had your picture taken!! And am I to have one? I know that a thing worth having is worth asking for so I'm asking you, dear.

Will try and write to Mrs. Maze today. Received one letter from her but the one she addressed to Wells, for some reason or other, has failed to reach me. I have written the postmaster of that place regarding it and I may get it tomorrow. I'm hoping anyhow.

I would like to be in San Francisco when the folks arrive but then I'd not be satisfied even then. 'Twould be like a dinner without dessert;--seeing them without you.

In a few days you'll be in San Diego. I hope you have the dandiest time ever dear.

Sincerely yours
Frank
Friday, November 19th, 1915