Sep 24 2:00PM 1912

Chicago , Ill. Sept 23, 1912

423 W 60^th St.

Dear Mother:

I got your letter this morning. It surely looked good to get one from you and Cora the same time, and these were the first two.

I am better acquainted with the school work now and like it better. It takes about two weeks to get settled in a new school. I have three laboratories to work in. There are lots of small instruments etc. to keep track of and use. Yesterday I went with Forrest the boy that whose home I stay at // to his Church. He is quite interested in Church and Sunday School. His Church is the Baptist. My room mate is a Presbyterian and goes every Sunday. I have found out where the Mormons live or go to Church and may go out there next Sundat. Both boys have asked me about what Church I belong to. They surely opened their eyes and didn’t have much to say when I told them “Mormon.” Forrest says he wants to go out to our Church sometime.//

We have had two games of Tennis. Say I went to Spalding+Bros. here and bought some goods as follows:

Indian Clubs retail: 1.00

Tennis shoes 2.25

Tennis Balls 1.00

Guide .10

Of course they will be billed home to the store at wholesale. Ask pa to watch invoice and see if they give correct prices. I may want to buy something from M__Clury and the Farwell’s.

Let me know if you pa wants something from Farwells that I can get.// Ask pa if he remembers about pennant canes that Wilford Hamblin wanted. If he wants maybe I can buy some here.

The people treat us fine and we have a good, clean living.

I took another cello lesson today and it is going to be hard to get positions for a while.

The Sunday School here seemed so bland and the minsters sermon so dry although they said he is exceptionally good.

I’m glad I know about something better. Maybe sister F_____wont need to worry much about me. //

For exercise I will work Indian Clubs and play Tennis. Tennis wont last long though. I am getting used to the city road (?) and will soon be able to go around every place.

I sleep about 9 or 10 hours every night.

I wish that I could have helped with the cleaning of the door yards before I left. The place must look much better now.

I always think of you so much when I am practicing. It seems that you have always //encouraged me in practicing so much that I never get at it without thinking of you and worrying about you at home working too hard and then having to do the same things so much without a change. I think you and Pa ought to have a rest next summer some way. The day time is beginning to go very fast. That’s a good sign to me that I am beginning to get interested.

Tell Alfie that I am going to subscribe $1.00 only and I can get from 12 to 24 of the latest music for dance orchestra.// He won’t need to get any and I’ll bering a nice collection home in the spring. I have practiced lots today. There is lots of work here for students.

The papers say that business promised to be good this fall. You can’t tell much about what they say though.

You must let Anna read this letter, as it seems that I can only write one letter home as I tell everything in one letter. I will write to Kippy soon.

Your son,

Albert.

Provo May 28 3:30 PM 1912

Provo, Utah May 27, 1912
Dear Cora:
Your two pictures came and I think they are fine and so does everyone else. I had some taken and I have hunted the house over for what were left and can’t find them. I’ll have to get some more taken I’ll have to get some more. Say Updike takes better pictures than any photographer in Provo.
Earl, Lars and Lyn left last night for home and Laurence the night before. Ma sent a telegram that said she would be here about June 3rd. I think that she will want me to go to Grantsville and maybe stay until she goes home. I would only want to stay on account of helping ma home. I don’t want to visit here any longer and it is hard to stay with work. I think that pa will sent for me right away. I think that Gerald will leave// in a few days about four more. He may not wait until Emma comes. I will get to see her. Uncle Tom’s Cabin will be played here tonight. Gerald and I went to Spanish Fork Saturday night with the opera company. No sleep that night. Taylors may buy a home here and stay two winters. He can take his A.B. out in that time. There are only two and a half more school days and that many of Commencement exercises.
I just got a letter from home. Ma says for me to stay. She will make a short visit from what she says. Maybe all of these troubles don’t interest you much, but this is about all I think about now, going home.//
I will finish my books here in a few days.
Don’t remember whether or not I told you about spraining my th----b [??]. You may laugh and think I am a booby for taking about it. I have lost one month of practice and one week on the books on account of it.
The class year books are out today. I’m not at all pleased with them.
The president of the class leaves for a mission to Hawaii on June 6th. He will marry a college girl who he has converted this year from the Catholic Con--- and take her with. Many of the normal graduates from last year are here now for commencement.
I’m glad people ask you when I will be home instead of Janet and Thenza [?]. You //ought to let me in on that mountain trip that you and Janet are planning.
“I will try my best to make you contented.”
Well just remember that as I will.
Some of us went down to Provo lake the other day. There was something lacking though to make it complete. Maybe it was the fire-crackers.
It seems that you always have to give up your trips that you plan. Well when you do get out you’ll have a time that’ll pay up for all of the disappointment in one.
Of course you enjoy being in your old home again. I think it is so much better. If you and I go to the Drug Store then Dora and Grover may not hear the Yale lock click as they used to. I never hear a thing of Dora anymore.
June sent us fine invitations// for the graduations exercises.
I’ll send you a program of the weeks doings.
Everything is pretty here now. I’m crazy to see the "Big Knole," "Salads," "Clemente," "The Cedars," and everybody.
Tell Kippy to get my old book out and polish them up and get everything ready.
What do you do now that school is out?
I heard that Emma and Jode go out together again.
Paulson and Johnson speak a good word for everyone there except Brown and the Whitings.
Have you started to farm your land on the bench yet.
Albert

Jan 30 1911 5:30 PM Provo Utah

Provo Utah Jan. 30, 1911.

Dear Father:

I am out of money again and have to pay $18.00 for piano lessons for the last time and $3 for typewriting and on the 10^th of Feb. $16.00 for board. Can you send me about $45.00 now and then I won’t need any more only to pay board each month and a few side expenses. It is going to cost me (altogether) $400.00 to get home and all before I get done. This is the closest I can figure it. There are lots of expenses no one thinks about til he gets here.

Tomorrow I guess you finish with the stock taking.

Prof Petersen’s and the Two Prof Chamberlain’s are having a dispute with the rest of the school bishops and presidents of //stakes here about religion.

I don’t think they want it out, of course they don’t.

They are accused of teaching false doctrine, that is some scientific things that the Church members can’t understand.

They couldn’t settle it Saturday so next Saturday Prst. Smith is coming down.

I think they are right as far as I have heard. They just go deeper than many of the old men around here and then they kick.

They are about the only high teachers here who have A.M.’s. The two Petersens are the one’s Josie boarded with at Chicago.

I hope everything is alright at home and the store. I have to hurry now so will stop. From your Son,

Albert.

I practice more on the piano now and am getting my money’s worth on that.

Provo Utah Jan. 30, 1911.

Dear Mother:

I was very glad to get your’s and Carl’s letters and the credits. I will hand them in today. On Saturday night we went to a basketball game between B.Y.U. and the University of Utah. The B.Y.U. beat 47 to 27. After this Miss Edmunds and Jepperson gave a song and instrumental recital. It was very nice. Just the two did it all. Miss Jepperson is the best singer in Provo. We went to a lecture last night in the University. It is raining and has rained off and on for two or three days. All our examinations are over and this morning we start on a new semester. Gerald is going to take lessons on the piano now. He first thought of the violin but his folks discouraged him.//

I saw Soppia Ealison at Andersons alright. Aunt Tilda didn’t say anything about writing or having received any letter. I hope Alfie and Kippy are well now. It’s funny that Al—in still remembers you.

I will ask today which piano is best, and send it next time.

Maybe John Erickson would buy your lot. I wonder if the store is very hard up now.

We don’t go out much now but stay more steady at work.

I am always wishing when I go to a musical that you could be here. I think it would be cheaper almost about as cheap if you could come and stay a winter as you used to talk of, that is if two or three could come back. Of course Pa can’t afford many at a time now. I wonder if I can go more than//two years to school.

It seems just a start to what some of them are getting up here.

All the ambitions boys aim at a college degree in one line or another. I can easily graduate from high school next year and take all the music I want besides. They give a fine medical course in Pharmacy at Salt Lake City no at the University of Utah. I don’t like to give Pharmacy up yet.

The way I feel now I would like to take out a doctors degree in medicines and be more respected and be able to get along better. I am always planning and don’t know how they will turn out but I know if I want to bad enough I can as far as doing it as I think I can study as good as any common fellow//anyway.

I want to stay with the piano and cello and amo be able to play for people.

I am in a hurry so will stop. Write and tell about everybody.

Your son

Albert.

We can talk about my plans in the summer and ask pa about things, as I ought to help him more anyway.

Jan 15 1911 3:30 PM Provo Utah

Provo, Utah, Jan 13, 1911.

Dear Mother:

It is Friday afternoon and one long week of school after holidays. Of course we are just getting started again and it seems long. Next week will be a busy one so we will get into work again.

We will all stay home tonight and get rested up a little.

I just got a letter from Min---. She is going to El Paso to see Alice. I won’t write any more to her. I would like for you to read some of her letter. She is very foolish. I got some handkerchiefs for Aunt Tilda.

The ring came and thanks very much for it also the money and cake. I don’t deserve any jewelry as I spent so much anyway. My trip to Grantsville cost about $15.00. By going I saved $8.00 as board bill, so it cost about $7.70 extra. I had lots more fun than that. Of course// I would have spent more in Provo anyway. Every one of them at Grantsville treated me so good.

Edla and Judith came out for a masquerade ball that they had at Grantsville and Einar went back with them to Salt Lake. I took them Thursday to Toelle with Erickson’s team and then stayed till Sunday morning and came back with Jefferies boy.

I went out to Augusta’s again, had dinner and then went into Salt Lake and hunted up the other girls. They are fine girls alright. They all dance and seem quite popular.

We went to two theatres at Grantsville, and three dances, one party.

I had dinner with Miss Zina Anderson the Bishops daughter. I believe its Gustav Anderson that lives north by the Coop and one black --------. They treated me very good.//I went down to see her a while before I left. Then I wrote to her yesterday and then had a good time with a Matthew girl. Her mother used to play with you and your sister she said. Bill Matthews is one of her sons. I took her her to a dance and went to see her and stayed quite a while. We had a good time. Well I must not think anything about them now, but get to work again. Who does Alfie go with; I haven’t heart a thing about the band, orchestra, or about Alfies practicing on the violin. Almost 5 inches of snow fell here on Monday but now everything is melting. It is as warm as summer almost today. Anna sent me a box of candy and Joy and Josie sent me a fine black tie. I am sending a bill of money received by me to pa.//

Uncle John is s0 deaf that I never said a word to him, had to write everything. I asked Aunt Tilda how much she weighed. She said about 140#, and she’s no heavier than you, I don’t think.

I saw Thomas Williams. He spoke lots of you and pa.

It seemed very good to see all the folks and have such a good time. I’m afraid I’ll want to go there again.

That Jeffries boy is about 19 years. John Erickson said your lot is worth about $600.00 just roughly guessing. The cake was awful good and the ring is a little large. What shall I do about it? It is a fine one just the kind I hoped for when you said it was coming. I have plenty ties now.

Will you ask pa if anyone paid $3.00 for the last dance I played for.// It was never settled.

I wish you would speak to Bro Rencher about my credits. I must have them soon and all I can get.

Chopin is the name of the musician that I received a picture of.

You told about Cora and ---la I am not worrying about anyone yet.

I will have to stop now.

From your son:

Albert

December 27 1910

Salt Lake City Utah Dec. 26.

Dear mother:-

Einar and I are at Augusta’s home now at Salt Lake. We are having a good time and she has quite a nice home. We got here Xmas eve and had to walk about two miles from the street cars to get here. Yesterday all of Einar’s sisters came out here for Xmas dinner. Edla, Ester and Judith also two other Swedish girls that said they knew pa. Miss Peterson and Henderholm.//

We had a fine time. Judith won’t say anything in English but the others do. The three girls gave me a box with ½ doz linen handkerchiefs in. They are fine ones aleight with my initial in one corner. We are going out to Grantsville on Thursday. Aunt Hilda wrote to Einar and said she will meet us at M---is or Tooele. I guess we’ll get to see the girls again, before we go. They are very nice girls but we can’t get along very well on account of the language. I got yours and pa’s letters //just before leaving Provo. Gerald and Lyn both got letters from their mothers too. Lyn went to Nephi and Gerald went to Marysville. We are going to a theatre tonight.

Pa said he enclosed $15, but it never came. He forgot to put it in I guess. I sent you all a book, I was in such a hurry and couldn’t think of anything.

We three boys got Sister Lynton a half dozen hakfs for Xmas. They had a Xmas tree and lots of company but I wasn’t there. They just got a fine new piano into their house on Sat. //I will practice there after holidays part of the time. My piano teacher gave me a picture of a fine musician for Xmas.

Salt Lake is a fine city. I wish Uncle August and his family could move to Arizona. Maybe I’ll want the rest to, when I see them. I am sending my deportment card again.

I got Augusta’s little girl here is about the size of Fay. She’s awful cute. Talks Swedish to Einar and a little English to me. She cried every time I looked at her at first but now she comes to me// all the time.

I got 100% in English in the examinations but I don’t answer many questions in the class so I am marked (A) on the card.

My theology mark is between 95 and 100 %.

Brimhall wrote on the outside of my examination paper:- “This is the best Examination paper I have received yet and I want you to come and see me at my office or home sometime.”

I haven’t gone yet.

They didn’t mark Geometry in this time. I don’t know why. I need a music stand and a case// for my cello. That is a cover for it. It’ll crack if I don’t keep it covered. Will it be all right if I send to Lyon and Healy for these things also some strings. Will you see pa about this, as I am only writing to you this time. The case wont cost over $1.50 I don’t think.

There isn’t any thing else to write so will close.

From your son

Albert.

The only place to write now is to Provo, as I’ll go back in a week. I didn’t get the things you told about as I had to leave.

Postmark: Oct 12 8:30 AM 1910, Hotel Lamar, Provo, Utah

Oct 11, 1910

Dear Father, Mother, and the others:-

I got here safely last night and had a good trip. No one was at the train so late so I just stopped at this hotel. I am feeling good, like the town as it now appears and am feeling good.

The chicken, pickles and cake were all fine.

I just came from the University where I met Gerald, Lyn, Earl, Leo, Karl, Leonard Davis and John Chapman. I went out at noon and found Einar and his friends. I am very much pleased to see how nice he is. I sure like him.

They only have one small room for eating, sleeping, //talking and studying between the three of them so I don’t think I should like to live with them, besides his roommates don’t exactly srtike me.

Gerald told me to go with him where he and Lyn are boarding. It is a mile away from the school but is between there and on the road to town. At Flagstaff we walked 1 ¼ miles. It doesn’t seem far on the pavement. We could always stay at the University at noon. I may stay with them if I like it. You know St. Johns company will be worth something by spring to me.

I am going to take third year high school I think.// I don’t want to take commercial til I get a better start in the rest. You know if I should have to stay in the store I can tend those books anyway. I can learn this course easier at home than I can high school work. I can finish high school in two years I am sure if I study,

I just met Eva Gibbons and her fellow also Andy Gibbons. You don’t need to worry about me in Provo as everything is quiet. There isn’t any news to tell now but will tell all about things when I get settled. I scribble awful bad but am in a hurry. From your son

Albert.