Young to Morriss July 15, 1927

J. Frank Young to Henrietta Morriss July 15, 1927. 

                                                                                                      Mahwah N.J 

July 15, 1927

Dear Henrietta, 

      The thermometer reads ninety-two.  The breezes which blow occasionally seem to fan the furnace which is radiating the terrific heat.  Beads of perspiration form on the forehead, collect and either run down to the end of my nose or cover my glasses and obstruct my vision.  I write this paragraph to show what difficulties I overcome in order that I might hear again from you. 

       I received your letter with a joyful, thumping heart, but I read with envy.  All day fishing trips, canoe rides every evening, motor-boating, sail- boating, nice seat under the pines, sunsets and moonlight on the lake.  Everything, in fact, that romance demands or desires. 

       Contrast that with my day.  A pick, shovel, hoe, wheel barrow, shirt and trousers wet and sticky from sweat, handkerchief hanging from your belt in order that [page 2] it might be dry to swab your face with, hands caked with mud formed from dust and sweat. Come home and the object of the only, dare I say, recreating I wish is canoeing around Lake C. watching the sunsets.  I ask you by all that is holy - is that justice? 

       I wrote above paragraph not to excite sympathy (which I know I wouldn't get) but to further & quicken the answer to this letter.  Isn't it odd the way I explain the object of each paragraph?  Evidently I am losing confidence in my ability to get what I want. 

       I was down to see your mother this evening.  My opinion of her is still the same.  More flattering, if that is possible.  I believe she misses you constantly.  We were talking about hair-cuts mostly.  Odd subjects I hope I am not letting out any secret when I say that your mother looks charming with bobbed hair?  Talking about hair yours must look rather ragged by now.  Usually when short hair has been let grown in the back it looks like an old paint brush. [Page 3]

      The main difference between you and myself on a number of opinions, particularly likes and dislikes, is that it takes you longer to form the same opinion (if you can make out what I mean in this sentence you deserve credit) 

     You had lots of "crust" when you said that you would appreciate it if I didn't go out with any girls while you were gone.  Your wish so far is practically fulfilled.  The sum total of my answers this past week was an auto ride to Newton with Marion C.  It is not that I haven't the desire, so much as i practicality.  I'm broke, have no car either to have to myself or with others.  Bub bought a new Chevy coach but I haven't even been inside that yet. 

      Ten pounds is hard to catch and mold on your body.  To bed at ten, a quart of milk every day, no eating between meals, no ice-cold drinks, no coffee, no cigarettes, only six pipefuls of tobacco a day have succeeded in giving a small [page 4] bit more of energy and a shinier eye but no weight. 

       If the number four scares you when it modifies "letters" make it six.  Anything like that will do. 

    I have told other friends that I never "owe" them a letter.  Friendly letters are not business operations and should be written only when the desire to do so is present.  I often write two letters before receiving one and then wait until I feel so inclined.  That is one reason why I wish I had said nothing to you about writing.  However I tell you now that if you’re writing solely from a sense of duty, stop! (but please write) 

   I usually rewrite my letters and keep the first copy.  The letters which I have sent to you are the "first copies".  So if you find plenty of mistakes it is because it was not reviewed.  This is not an apology. 

   I am, as always, 

                          Your, 

                          Frank.