Encoded for for the Veterans History Project, October 23, 2014.
All letters in the McNutt collection were digitized.
The following letters were transcribed from the handwritten originals by the donor. No alterations to this transcription has been made, although spelling errors are indicated with [sic]. Any special emphasis (i.e. underlining) is presented *between asterisks*.
I received your letter and photograph enclosed. It looks just exactly like you. (Not so) How did you ever manage to take such a good picture Myrtle? Gee! I can’t take a good picture like that, but you can’t expect a good picture from a homely looking cuss like me. Now with a nice little girl like you it is different. Did
you write that poetry too? My ideals use to be a little different from that Myrtle. You know I once thought that a girl had to be beautiful and fair with golden locks hanging down her shoulders and ect. Before I could love her. I can not tell or picture to you my mind’s ideal then, for it is ineffable. My mind had changed a lot since then, for now I can love any old things that runs around in skirts. I have found that beauty dose not go anywhere if this same beauty hasn’t attractive ways and a good disposition.
Myrtle I get off from work every Sat. at noon and yesterday (Sat.) I came home and found your picture here. You don’t know how glad I was to get it. I sure was tickled with it. Thanks many, many times for it. It sure is nice and I think it is real good of you but it is not as nice and sweet as the original little Myrtle. I am afraid though Myrtle you ought to have sent it to your Uncle, for I could have waited a little for mine. I am awful glad
you sent it and I didn’t have to wait tho. I sure will hook you in a hubby with that picture. It will be as easy as 'falling off a log'. Can you come to New York on a few minutes notice? You may get a telegram any old time to come at once so be ready.
Yes I remember that old man we threw peanuts at. He was bald headed and one went down his neck and he had an awful time getting it out. He was a very good natured old stiff tho wasn’t he? But I’ll bet he was saying damn it to himself don’t you? I expect he also wished that
we were in Europe or more likely in a much warmer place where it never snows where I believe they call H----- or something like that.
Well I guess I will try to tell you about my trip up the Hudson. I suppose you received the card I mailed you on board. I went 100 miles up and returned the same day. I got a 200 mile ride and it was lovely. You ought to see the beautiful scenery it’s gorgeous. Through Bear Mountain it’s fine. There are mighty peaks rising looks like almost to the sky and are almost straight up and down.
The river is nice and straight through and just out of New York and by the palisades then it winds around through mountains. I went as far as Kingston paint(?). That is at the foot of Catskills mountains. I am going to take the trip again next summer when it is warm and go all the way to Albany. We passed by Newburgh and saw Washington’s Headquarters. You can go up the Hudson to Newburgh. Bear Mountain Poughkeepsie and other places and return for a dollar or two. It’s fine in the summer time to go to some of those places for there are lakes, parks and all kinds of amusement at all of them. I am not crazy about new York City, but I ma stuck on the country around it. There are so many nice places to go. It is much more pleasant if you have a car but if you are one of the unfortunate that hasn’t one you can take trains and trolley or boats to these places. It’s a beautiful country all around New York and my! You see some swell residences and estates outside N.Y. for 50 or 75 miles around and
all the roads around are like a boulevard.
I was out in a machine today driving. We went about fifty miles on the island, Long Island. We left here about twelve and got back at six. It sure was fine. I wish you could have been along and seen some of the beautiful country we went through. It was great. Why not come to New York and enjoy life and some of the good things that are going to waste? If you were up here I would take you out in a Ford ever Sunday. But I am to get you a husband and you are coming. I forgot about that. Alright. I’ll get busy right away. Many thanks again for the picture. Write real soon. With much love, Henry. I wanted to talk to you more about our sixty thousand dollar play but haven’t room so will discuss that with you tho next time I write.
With much love,