Letter to Henry from cousin Ruth Dorty February 17, 1908

Cover:

Mr. Henry Makibbin,

U. S. S. Tennessee

San Francisco,

Cal.

c/o Post Master

Postmarked 3:30 PM, Feb 17, 1908, Fort Worth, Tex.

107 Penn Street,

Ft. Worth Texas

February 12, 1908

Dear Henry:-

How do you like to be a sailor boy?  My it must be romantic to be on the water all the time.  Why think of it you are going all around the world and seeing everything while we unromantic youths and maidens have to go to school and cram Algebra, Zoology, and Latin into our heads.

Well Henry I just love it down here and I believe you would of course I do not know as you would, but you might.  I certainly hope you have a pleasant Valentine Day as I expect to have.  Write me a long letter and tell me when you will return to the Yankee soil once more.

I am a dignified sophomore maybe I am not proud.  I sure have a swelled head.  I was “Sweet Sixteen” on the thirtieth of January and had a swell birthday party.  There was thirty six here just as many boys as girls. 

We have a dandy home, it is a beautiful little place for such important people as E. S. Dorty and family.  Honestly Henry I haven’t any more sense than I used to have and then I had about the same amount as you had.  So we are still on equal terms, I do not believe you have gained much over me.

Do you get much time to dream?  If you do dream about your cousin in Texas who is now a Texas steer once in a while.  I have no time to meditate or I would allow your face to come up before me.

Oh yes, Do you smoke?  And have you a chum?  And is he nice looking?  I know he is nice or you would not associate with him.  There is certainly a dandy lot of boys down here.  They are so much nicer than most of the Yankee boys.  I am going to a Valentine Party on the 14^th and to a Washington Masquerade on the 22^nd.  So you see I go a great deal and am a great society girl.  Ha ha. 

Do not let anyone see this for it is simply awful.  There is no sense in it.  But wade through it and answer me before this time next year.  Please do not send any lemons in your letter.  As I will have to go to bed I must close this foolish missive.

Hoping to hear from you, I remain,

Lovingly, Ruth.