Los Angeles, California: Jan. 29, 1931

My dearest one;

I’m on my way to you now dear to stay. It’s going on to three o’clock and I’ve enjoyed my trip thus far. The mile mark is 549. Right now there is practically no snow but there’ll probably be some more to see. This isn’t such a nice looking letter but it sure is tough when there isn’t anything solid to write on, besides jerks.

Your aunt was down yesterday on my last day home. She sure is a good old soul and mother sure likes her too. I’m all thrilled about this trip but I can hardly conceive seeing anything but sage brush and the like. Green trees and flowers will sure look grand.

I took my baggage to the depot yesterday. I have the checks and am a little leary about mailing them to you, so we’ll get that when I come.

The conductor is calling out “Lund” now. There’s a couple of negroe families in back with about four kids. They sure are raising whoopee.

This isn’t so easy writing & I guess worse yet for you to read so I’ll say good bye, and I’ll be seeing you. I’ll drop a line from L.A. and let you know when I’ll arrive Monday so you can meet me.

With all my love for just you,

Your Alice

Salt Lake City, Utah: January 21, 1931

My dearest “Papa,”

Everything is coming along just fine. A week from tonight will be my last night home! Then soon I’ll have a new and happier life to live. How I wish you were here with me right now. As long as I’ve worked at the Union I’ve never had courage to have my broker teeth fixed till now. I had them both pulled and bridge in this afternoon. It hurts & feels like use your own imagination. But if I had you here that would help it out a lot, but I just have to play you’re here.

Saturday would almost be better wouldn’t it dear? Everybody seems to be against Friday anyhow. Then too, we would both be free on the day after. By the way, will they give you a day off? Here’s hoping you’ll be free on our wedding day. Gee I wish it were tonight. I’m sorry this letter is in pencil but Dad works and boards in American Fork and he took the family bottle of ink with him.

Herb & the boys just rounded up a gang for a sleighing party. Wish you were here so we could go. Our cold weather is back again, and it sure is cold.

These sure are the busy days. Dear mother is doing things from morning till night for me. It sure is going to be hard to say good bye to her and I wish it were all over with.

Last night the girls from work had a shower. Tomorrow another one from a bunch of friends. And so time hurries by and it seems I haven’t a night left to myself as long as I’ll be home.

I’ll just have one more letter coming from you at home. At least I hope you’ll send one. Then we can class letters as souvenirs—what say.

I wish this was me in person, instead of a letter. By the way I’m coming over the Union Pacific, but I’ll write more definite when I know. How I’m looking forward to our meeting. You had better get a lot of sleep in the night before so you can keep me company on the great day. I’m so excited and nervous I can’t write decent anymore, but anyhow here’s my heart & soul and all that goes with it, to make or break.

Alice

Salt Lake City, Utah: January 4, 1931

My dearest Sweetheart,

Just a little late in answering this time, but nevertheless, my thoughts are always with you. One month from tonight I will have you. Gee I’m sure getting anxious.

I’m keeping quite busy lately. Hyrum’s break is quite serious and he is still in the hospital. They haven’t put it in the cast yet as they have to keep a weight on it to stretch the bone in place. I’ve been going up to see him quite often and it sure takes time. The folks sure worry as they only hope for the best for all of us, and as the doctor says now, his leg will be shorter or an operation, which would be very serious! So you see there’s a lot more than merely expense for them to worry over but we just have to make the best of it. When dad went up this afternoon Martain was also there.

I’m sure getting my fill of cold weather before I leave. Since November there’s been a steady coat of snow on the ground. It’s been freezing cold in day as well as night. Maybe the weather there is not as warm as I fancy, but I sure can’t be disappointed.

New Year’s Eve was a rather quiet one this year. Ruby (you remember her, don’t you?) had a number of school friends over and we played bridge. I sure thought back two years when we were at your aunt’s place, next year we’ll make whoopee together again—how about a date?

Now to get together on things. Write and tell me just when to leave and a few other things. Taking a trip is altogether new to me, so you might be able to give me a couple of pointers. How I wish I was getting off the train at Berkeley right now!

I sure do like my fur George. I haven’t wore it here cause the smoke is sure terrible, so I’m waiting for clearer skies. It sure is lovely and thanks again.

It’s getting late and next to you, sleep is all I want right now. But I could easy go without that for you.

With all my love for just you,

Alice

Write soon

Salt Lake City, Utah: December 14, 1930

My dearest George:

Sure you’re forgiven for not writing sooner. Even if your pen does go back on you, I hope I’m keeping a place in your thoughts, which I know I am.

How is everything by now. I suppose you’re plenty busy at the store with the Christmas rush. It is just the opposite in our office. By the way, did you get my letter in person or by mail? The bookkeeper, with whom I sent you a litter on her trip to Cal., hasn’t returned and I’m sure having a grand time, doing mine and her’s, but it won’t be long and they can have their job and all that goes with it back.

George I’m sure looking forward to the day I return to you. I feel as though I’ve been lost and now I’m going back home. It was with you that my first intention of marrying was planned with. I must say, and I think if you too tired in vain to forget, but now I’ve found out and know you’re the one and only one that I want. George I want to thank you for the sweet companion you’ve been to me. I cherish all letters and other remembrances I have received from you. I am glad you’re taking me on life’s journey with you, and I’m going to do my best to help you. As mother says—we’ll have our up’s an down’s as everybody else but it’s up to us to make the best of it, and with a partner like you, the journey won’t be rough. Qualities I have always admired in you is your cleanliness and willingness. With all your other good qualities understood, and most of all because it is you, the one and only boy I have or could every really love, I accept your proposal and look forward to the sixth of February as our wedding day. How sweet to select your parents’ Silver anniversary as our life’s greatest day. The folks are all with me and are now planning on that date for me leaving.

Do both of us have to be there to give the three day’s notice? Will you be able to leave work for a day or so? They better let you off or I’ll feel all lost in my new home town. Also where will I land, at Berkeley or doesn’t the train go there direct. I’m sure excited over it all.

Well dear time and paper won’t permit me to keep on going so I’ll say good night an send all my love, as well as the Season’s Greeting although I’ll write again before Xmas—Alice

Answer soon

Salt Lake City, Utah: December 1, 1930

My dearest George:

Glad that you’re getting along fine dear, and that you haven’t forgotten me. From your letter it seems you were waiting for an answer. Surely a letter was not lost. The last one I got from you was written on your birthday. I answered the same day I got it. Was there a letter lost or did I just misunderstand your letter. Well anyhow, a “fair exchange is no robbery” and we both received a letter from each other; and here I am writing again.

But it won’t be long soon—just think next month we see and have each other for good. Won’t it be heaven on earth to have each other in our little home—a real home for just us two. There’ll be something more than just a fire to keep us warm. How I’d like to cuddle up with you in a corner now then my dreams would be true.

When I do come down, I hope you won’t be disappointed. As far as money is concerned, I’m broke but I’ve tried to keep out of debt: The wages I get here just do keep me.

Thirteen a week is all I get so you can see by the time I give the folk some, carfare and soon there isn’t much if any left to be put in the bank for that rainy day. As the average pay is higher there, I think I could make more headway. But when we once get together on it, I think it will be easier, don’t you? We’re willing to give it a trial and prove it.

“Am I blue?” not only for you but it’s cold here. Our room has no radiator and the door’s closed so I can feel my fingers getting stiff from gliding on this cold paper. Everybody’s in bed but mother who is sewing. I was too but I had more important things to do so left her, & here I am.

I’ll say good night for this time and go & dream of days to come. My love for you is growing stronger each day and I know there is no one on this earth who can equal you, so I am content to wait & I am sure we’ll be happy with each other.

Hoping all is well & that I may hear from you soon.

With all my love,

Alice