Dear Kid,
Today I spent my first day as a Deke. We have a wonderful Freshman delegation including Parnell Thomas, Jr. I’m as happy as a lark about it all. Today was my first day singing in the choir — at first I had a robe that was about 3″ too long– did I ever look stupid. It is swell fun to sing with a bunch that can pick it up quickly. We go over an anthem about twice and it sounds good.– Got all my homework for tomorrow done and feel swell.– In front of me I have 7 pictures that kind of make me feel all warm inside. In a frame is your graduation picture — that’s the one that stays out all the time. In the folder is that enlargement I had made — you know– the picnic with Dutch & Mitty. Remember the haunted house! The ride in the rumble seat — That was just about this time last fall. I think that’s my favorite. Your hair is messed up the way I like it — and you got that oh! look on your face — remember the way we used to did about that — You know I do miss high school — I think they are the happiest days of a person’s life. You were right — as usual. Remember the fall dances last year — and the long walks when we talked about getting the car. I’ll never forget those walks and talks as long as I live. You were swell to put up with them. I always used to dread the moment when I would have to leave — those Friday nights — I still do when we go out — when I’m home, I mean. What did we talk about? We didn’t talk about us until just this summer, did we? — I remember one of the first talks we had — we took Sally for a walk on Tryon Avenue — remember that one. Little did you know!! In the picture you’re looking out and smiling. It makes me smile. — Remember when I asked you what we’d do New Year’s Eve — and you said that was kind of far away — and then I thought I’d be thrown down the back stairs. The same thing happened when I asked you to the Prom (Senior Prom) in October — remember. I wish we’d have kept a diary. Sometime, when you have nothing to do, why don’t you write in the book all the little things that you remember — when I come home I’ll help you — It’ll be swell fun to read them over. — It’ll be swell fun to read these over someday. — Now I look at the one Dutch took of us at Mittie’s — the night I made double dates with both Dutch and Rudy — Mitty was getting the measles — remember. That’s a peach, too! Where did we go that night? — Then here’s the one Rudy took on the picnic up in the mountains — after we had a wrestling match — I wish I could jump into that one and be there again. — Then here’s 2 more taken the same day. One of em is out of focus. — And in my pocket is the one where you are giggling all over the place — That’s a peachy one — I wish I had more. Today I missed not getting your letter. I hope you wrote me a long one — I hope ya ain’t feelin as blue as you were last week — don’t work so hard — it ain’t worth ruinin yer health (Maybe I ought to take a course in grammar!)
I think the pledge dance at Deke –which will be informal — is going to be Oct.11 — do you think you could make it. If I have enough money maybe I’ll –no, I ain’t allowed to have a car except on Dance Week-ends –Darn it all! — Well let’s think about it anyway. If you could come up Friday night — bring your books — we have a typewriter here.– then you could stay Friday & Sat — I hope these rooming houses don’t cost too much –I’ll have to start saving. I have classes Sat. morning so you could do your homework and then we could put you one a train Sunday afternoon. —- Could you take care of the carfare? — Will you folks let you come? — Will you be able to come? — On regular dance week-ends I’ll come home for the car. That’s allowed. — I don’t know — we better see how this thing is arranged — It might not be worth the trip. — You see — I’m only a Freshman, so even when you do come I’ll have to act as a slave to the upperclassmen — I don’t know whether you’d be able to have a good time or not. This week I have to go over to the house & wake up all the fellows who have a sign on their door at 7:10 & 7:20– I don’t have to get up myself until 9:00 some days — you can see what that means. We have to get the mail — answer the door — etc. — wear special ties & hats — a mess of stuff. Now that I’m in the choir I don’t think I can come home over the weekend. It would cost me between $2.50 & $10.00 — We get fined $1.00 if we are late to rehersals. — What a life — it keeps me busy and helps the time pass quickly — I can’t wait till Dec 19th — its a Friday I think — Boy! oh Boy! — We’ll stay out till 3:00 A.M. every night — no, I guess the folks wouldn’t like that — but just think of all the time we’ll have together if our vacations match — and even if they don’t! — I hop you aren’t bored to death with everything — It’s hard, kid, — all this being away and stuff — but if you miss me & think of me half as much as I do of you I’m happy — cause I know that that’s about 12 hrs & you must sleep 8 and work the other 4. — I just think the whole 24. — Please be careful wherever you are & watch your health — I am, don’t worry!–
How’s the book coming! I know you’ll have a lot of things to tell me about it — I hope.– How about the proverbs– which one do you like? There are a million more things I’d like tos ay — but I’ll deliver them personally. You know the big one.
Love,
Jack
(the windbag!)
