My father's been hauling around about 200 letters from his father to his father's best friend, "Bennie" for the past 54 years. Hence, it has fallen as my solemn family duty to commit this written legacy to the internet: may they be of interest.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
No time, No date
My dear Bennie,
If it wasn't for you, I would forget how to write letters- really! I admit, this time I was very very bad - pretty hopeless, in fact, but what could I write about, I ask you?
Same old thing every day, except for a few incidents which are worth relating only if a collection of them is obtained - and that takes time. Oh, Bennie..........................!
I have received a lot of papers from your mother but haven't answered yet. Time seems to fly; eight hours underground seem like three, a day seems like a shift and a week is as short as a week-end! Before I know what's happening , it's happened!
A week ago I changed my job from that of a machine-helper to that of a sampler. I now work with an English fellow - my student room-mate, and it is sure an improvement on working with bo-hunky. It is also a much easier and cleaner job.
Lately however I am not getting my share of sleep - only about six hours - which I am going to put to an end at once - after I finish this letter. You see with the work and studying, we do not get to bed till about 11 pm - and we have get up at 5:30 am, which is no good.
Your girl-friend is very nice-looking allright; how did you like her acting?
We'll I tried to keep off the subject but my curiosity is a thing that is a mighty passion, so I wonder how old are you, Bennie? Many happy returns of the day, Bennie dear, and I do hope that you are not angry at me for my carelessness. Last Sunday my pal Jim and I went for a geological trip there in the bush for a half a dozen miles. We had a very pleasant day and returned feeling tired and hungry.
How are things your way? I am getting on well, but owing to the fact that I didn't get much sleep for the last week - I feel a little sleepy.
Last week, my pal and I went to Sudbury and saw a good film "Vikings", also did some shopping. Got four grammaphone records for George - the mine-boss with whom I board. For jazz, they are beautiful. I do not know if you even know the names of dance music pieces you ever hear but they are: "I want to meander in the Meadow" - a beauty; "Piece of mind" - very catchy; "Am I blue" - "Love", "Gay Love". All splendid songs - very beautiful. "Good Morning, Good Evening, Good night", "My Song of the Nile" - very sweet. Do you know any one of them?
In the evenings occasionally I play bridge with my friends here and most of the times I win (my partner and I, that is!). It's a good game. Checkers are quite a bit of recreation, too.
Well Bennie, this letter took me two days to write - shame on me so I must hurry up and send it over. I shall write to Mrs. Stinchfield to-morrow without fail.
Meanwhile good-bye.
Your very loving,
Guigui
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