Levack Mine, Sudbury Ont. October 23 1929

My dearest Bennie,

Immediately I "snap out of it" I write to you - As you!

Your letter and the book were fine. Gee-wizz, I didn't mean to sting you to the quick with "make it snappy". Good Heavens, that is about the last thing that need be told to you; I just made it clear that I want to hear all about the happenings at home as soon as it is convenient to you to impart the information. Dearest Bennie, I can just about see the look of surprised annoyance on your august features!

And now a bit of geometry: "the pleasure your letter causes me, though always great, varies directly as the square of its magnitude". Q.E.D. As for the quality of your letter - well, it reminds me of the best advertised tobacco "always satisfies and never varies"!

Yes, that fire at the Falls must have done a lot of harm to your mother. I do hope that now, with all the troubles over with little more independence and responsibility, your mother will improve speedily.

My life so far is O.K. You know, a thought came to me just now (what a wonder!)One thing is to be able to stand with ease the inconveniences and the difficulties of a new environment and quite another thing is to be able to carry on without noticing or feeling them. There is a great difference between the two, and I felt it on my own neck. This life - life of an ordinary miner is full of petty inconveniences which I feel much, but can stand with ease. For instance, I now work on a shift of which the shift-boss is a German-pol and the stope-boss is a Bulgarian. Having got hold of an English student in their power, they proceeded to make a beast of burden of him, making the perspiring wretch do the work of one and a half men if not two. One day, I has to carry three heavy machines, each time with a different man, while my regular job is to carry only one. Any heavy work needing strength and endurance immediately fell to my lot. One day, with two other men, we three carried about three tons of steel (drill bits ranging from 3 feet - 12 feet in length)through a height of about 30 feet. They cursed the job and looked at me as though they expected me to groan and fall over. Sad disappointment was theirs when I came off as fresh as ever.

But after that awful week, Fortune smiled upon me. We have to take stock of all the pipes in the mine: 1", 2", 3", 4", 5" and 6" pipes. There are many thousands of feet on the whole. The job was given to an English-Canadian - a pump-man. When asked whpm he wanted as a partner, he chose me and now we have two-weeks' job of doing nothing but walking about and measuring pipes. I expect to get disgustingly fat by the end of the fortnight! Woopie! And it gives a splendid opportunity to see every nook and crook of the mine. My partner is a good fellow too - and a "white man" (i.e. Anglo-Saxon race ). I guess I am a bit interested in myself...

The book - The Golden Wind - I read in a day. It is really the most wonderful bit of literature. The introduction was right: parts and passages of this novel could have come out of an ancient Chinese manuscript. But it made me think and feel and any book that can do both those things to me is a fine book, worth reading over and over again.

Well, I must go to work. I shall continue this letter to-morrow. Byee.

3. The letter (continued)

Both yesterday and to-day was raining miserably and I stay indoors all the time. I wish the now would come sooner.

I think it is perfectly sweet of Miss Stone to let me have all Reader's Digest was a masterpiece! Such a great variety of subject and so well written. I read them all and found "Our Changing Morals", "Learning how to be black", "Blazing New Trails of Education" the most interesting. The Story of the Eaglet made me very sad. But a lot was said in the "Blazing New Trails of Education" sounded to me as the most powerful common sense possible. By the way, what does "psychiatrist" mean? Have you ever told me before? If yes, I apologize for forgetting it!

I do not know how much I weigh, but I think I must have lost a lot, but the muscles on the arms, torso, and back, and legs fairly ripple when I do a little shadow boxing in front of a mirror. But brain-work and elevated thoughts (don't you know) will, no doubt, prevent me from becoming a more muscular animal! As for you, Bennie, your whole personality impresses me ever so much more than would any huge hulk of bulging muscles! And I don't mean maybe!

I do not know if I have told you about my new room-mate. He is a sampler [takes samples along cross-cuts and galleries to find the varying richness of ore deposits] and is about 20. A fine fellow, English and very interesting to talk to. We are both very keen on mining and talk so much that people in the house dropped hints that a decrease in volume of sound issuing from our room would be most welcome. But we are both very well tolerated here!

You say that 'See Naples and die' was very light. I hope it wasn't too light, otherwise -- shame on you, Bennie, going to such entertainments! But you know an actress in the play! What is she like? Pretty or fascinating in any way? Eh!?

So your joint engineering was not destined to stand? That is touch luck. Of course, if you had me, the results would have been different. Poor Owen, I hop he'll take it well.

Well Bennie, I must stop. I do not know if I have said much, but you now have all the news and most of the thoughts such as assailed me lately [not much of an onslaught!]v
Please give my love to your mother and Aunt Lydia.

My best hug and kiss to you, my dear pal.

Your loving Guigui

Levack, Jan 24

  My dear Bennie,

The day before yesterday the post office turned in your letter. At the sight of it, I quaked in my boots with nervousness and apprehension. I knew that you wrote the letter before you got mine! What crushing things you had right to say! But how sweet you were; gee, it made me feel like dancing and hopping about - that's an absolute truth.
The only way you can lose me is to leave me out with a great violence. No girl in the world can possible change me towards you: it all depends on you.

Did I say I would write to you before the end of the week? Disgraceful! -I mean, of course - disgraceful not to have kept my promise. I must have forgotten all about it. Well in the letter before this, which you much have already received (Jan 23). I make exactly the same promise - but this time to keep!

My dear Bennie, I have not definite idea as is when I can leave this "happy land of pilgrims". So far my plan are to leave Levack on the middle of August. How does that suit you? I am not at all sure though. It would be wonderful to be in Farmington again. I feel so happy there, with you and your mother and Auntie Lydia and all your friends.
I've been skiing yesterday afternoon but fell all the time and come home disgusted. I seem to have deteriated (spelling?) so I am now going as wake up. To-day I couldn't go because I worked two hours overtime, but to-morrow, and on Sunay I'll brush things up a bit. I'll show 'em!

Now our cage goes right down to the seven level and we needn't walk any ladders at all, which is just too slazzy!
How is your work getting on? Have you got any interesting personalities under your tutelage? Any freaks of the same preposterous calibre as myself? If no, my heart doth rise toward you in tearful compassion and through the hypnotizing intricacies of telepathy do I transmit my most powerful thought to you - take courage: dense skulls are as stone wall to a penetrating mind: the machine-drill of understanding will sink long longs into the solid man; the dynamite blast of the right words and action will then shatter these walls; crumble even unto dust and by the right hand will then lead thy pupil in the path of light......AMEN,

Sorry Bennie to hand off with this awful bilge, but the playfulness of mind shall not be stayed - it can't be!

To-day is a dance, but I do not feel like going. Too much din and no music. How different from those two dances at Lakewood! They were glorious! A delightful orchestra, a dancing floor as dancing floors should be - everything was great! And some little girls!

I haven't received yet any answer to my rather strong note to my girl in Toronto...........I wonder..........

Well, Bennie, I must stop now. Not very long- this letter. It will be a lot longer next time.

Your loving very very much

Guigui

best of love to your mother and Auntie Lydia.

Levack Mine, Sudbury, Ont. (no date: circa 1929)

My dear Bennie,

Well, my dear, here is where I'll have to wake up once and for all. No time or space must now be wasted for futile regrets or poor excuses. Both are useless. So, my dear, dear pal, I shall get to a review of your letter and of my life since the last letter (a very weak on, at that).

You have told me already, I think, of your ape. But it has shipped out of my mind for never had I a chance think of it. Really, Bennie, during my whole story at the Maine, you were so active and energetic that during all our tennis, motoring, dancing and what not, you were an elder brother to me. So reading your letter makes me think that you are a lot younger than you are trying to make out your are! And what are you trying to tell me by saying "...with so little to show for accomplishment". You have completed your education, you have attained such a position as to be able to take care of your mother, your home; to have a good time in New York; to go to theatre concerts: you have a car of your own - Good heaven's you are hard to please!

Your third paragraph was most amusing, and it brings up an old subject of our discussion - the power of observation. In your place I would not look at those around me: I would study the contents of the plate under my nose - a quick study prior to exploitation! I would be interested in the stories the old man and lady-friend were telling to each other; they themselves would fail to interest me - I am pretty positive of that. The funny old man would probably escape my notice. If not so, I would wonder how some people get away with imposing on other people's patience - they must appear important and of strong personality - I might even envy him - that is if I was in a dejected mood. If I felt well, I would think very little of him and pass him with distain.

The old maid would make me burst out snickering and gippling. The vow the very young man made would attract my attention for a moment - it would annoy me immensely if I was at that instant swallowing an oyster.

Your opinion on modern fiction is is not of a very high order, and I cannot criticize it because I know nothing of modern fiction. As for the lives of the Saints - I think you shall find it rather dry reading - except from a historical point of view.

I have read some parts of Well's "Outline of History" - but mostly parts that explained illustrations. I think it is very good on the whole - judging from what I read in it. There is at least not sexual orgy about it and therefore it would at least work well as an antidote!

I always read all your write more than once or twice. You better remember that is future, ahem.

Where did you get hold of the idea that I am a materialist? I think I am a bit of a materialist and a bit of an idealist. In my idea everybody should be half in half. The former should keep the latter. The idealist in the man ought to have high and noble ideals for the good of everybody; the materialist in him ought to determine the best method of putting these ideas into practice - and go ahead. [As regards correspondence in general, I am a pure idealist - no moi......................]

I thought your little story was jake! By the way, I have grown a mustache and everyone calls it "baseball mustache" - three out - all out! Have your heard about the absent-minded professor who went up to a fellow called Sandy Mc. Pherson and asked him if he [professor] owed the latter any money?

My dear Bennie, I would love to come over, but you see, it is so far away and I can't get any more leave than four or five days - at the very most - a week. Think of the whole day wasted at Montreal trying to get the fools at the Emigration Office to let me into the "land of milk and honey"! I shall stay here in Levack or go to Toronto where my girlfriend has invited me. I haven't answered her yer, though, and it's over a week since I received her letter.

Last Saturday, my room-mate and I went after deer. I got a rifle at Eatons which is an Austrian military rifle made into a sports model. Quite a powerful thing: shoots 300 yards without a trojection etc. But we haven't seen a thing. Followed tracks of one deer for two miles around a large lake called Moose Lake . Snow covered the groundand most of the lake was frozen. We started out at 8 o' clock in the morning and came back at 5 o' clock at night. It was quite interesting. We had to do some rock-climbing as well. Ice cracked all the time as we crossed the narrow parts of the lake from time to time. Snow storm on a small scale got up and we had a chilling race around the lack to get back out of the bush before dark. We made it because the wind blew in the right direction so as to freeze that part of the lake by which we had to come back. We have both enjoyed ourselves immensely and were very sleepy and tired when we got back. We tried the rifle and it shoots very straight and gives me a feeling of power. I have ordered skis from Eaton Co. Ltd., and ought to get them this week. this is a glorious country for skiing, and my friend here is very keen on it too. So he is senidng for his skis as well, and we are both looking forward to an interesting and active season.

And here I come to a subject over which I shall try to linger as little as possible. It is for me something like walking on nails - the sooner I hop off, the better. Every sentence you put down hit me on the jaw, in the eye and on the nose - but most of all pounded me on the solar plexus. There was no firm jaw - no thin lips or hard expression. I was completely shamed.

There are times - little spasms - in my life when I become absolutely passive - PASSIVE - in every meaning of the word. I am awake, yet I sleep. I stop to think - I dream. I hear dimly the sound of conversation around me, I look but see not...

Am I doomed to go through life hurting those I love and those who care for me - and be powerless? Private property be blasted! There is no such thing as private property of mine as far as you are concerned - but what can you do with this property when suddenly it turns into a vacuum!

And what must your mother thing of me? Do not write a word to her about this letter, please. I must do everything myself.

It is getting late so I must go to bed. Good night, Bennie. I would love to kiss you goodnight now - but would be ashamed to come near you - really, Bennie!

Your very loving,

Guigui

Renette's address

C/O M.K. Peacock Esq.
175 Kitaiskaya
Harbin
Manchuria

Levack Mine, Sudbury, September 22nd 1929

My Dear Bennie,

I got your two letters yesterday or was it the day before? But i didn't feel like writing straight away. Forgive me, please - these non writing moods of mine are very powerful when present.

Bennie, do you know what I'd like to do? ......to take a long sharp steel spike, wrote one it "you can never {annoy, molest, irritate} me, my dear Bennie, and a taking a 16lb sledge-hammer, drive the aforementioned spike through your cranium! Rather too emphatic, you will say; there may be possible some other more gentle means of elucidating this all-important fact, but then there is no trace of  half-heartedness in my little suggestion, is there?

Now we are coming to the fact that you do not seem to be very clear on. I love writing to you and never, never consider it either a troublesome duty, or a tedious obligation. How could it be, if it is writing to about the best pal I've got! But this the point you must realize: that a life-long habit of not writing to anybody for months cannot be done away with at a stroke! I am getting over it, thanks to you, my dear Bennie, steadily, but slowly, and I am very moody.

It is absolutely impossible for anybody to love not to want to want that love returned. Human beings are made that way; have it in the same way as a pair of eyes with a nose between them! The "Bridge of Sam Luis Ray" brings that out most vividly: Donna Maria loved her daughter most madly and her daughter's coldness and indifference caused her a terrible amount of suffering. If there were no suffering, or jealously, there would be no real love.

Dear fellow, I feel positively proud and happy that you tried to "take it out" on me! That's fine! Everytime you feel peeved or huffy and "out of sorts" in anyway, just take a piece of paper, a pen (machine is better!!!) and give me hell. Then I'll answer and pull you to pieces! It will do us both a lot of good.

I don't know what Venette's address will be. I have written to uncle three times but never got any reply. So I'll wait until I hear from him.

The letter from Lelek was very nice. In fact, so sweet that I would blush if I started to translate it to you. It was to the effect that he remembers Krasnoyarsk and our home with great pleasure and is sorry that we are so far away that we can't be together - don't you know! Thanks very much for your translation though. I must write to him. What does the "n Met" stand for? as in "Nove Mesto n Met???"

I am very glad to hear that your mother is better. It is rotten to be ill. I was sorry, too that i didn't have your mother and Auntie Lydia to doctor me up! The would have fixed me quick enough, I bet! Now I am O.K. except for a little bit of huskiness in the throat!

My roommate is gone for good. He was a good sort, rather rough and hard, but cheerful and find (under the "hide") and with a keen sense of humour. He is a student of Toronto University. I have heard that I have have a Jewish salesman in my room pretty soon and I await the dreadful ordeal with trembling! I can't get a small room to myself - they are all taken up.

The mornings and evenings are getting very cold and in a couple of weeks we'll get frosts. there may be snow in October. I shall ski (first of all I must learn how!). Otherwise, my life here is interesting only to me....we have been building a new shute and I helped mostly by keeping out of the way.

Well Bennie, these are about all the words I need scribble to keep your interest. What might have followed would make you yawn, dear. so, give my best love to mother and Auntie Lydia; to Devon, Freda, and all my friends. You, my pal, I hug most heartily - but with restraint!

 
Your Loving Gui Gui

P.S. No, I would not advise and restraint on your part. I think you're got a lot of it. But I do think that you are a bit nervous though you keep it under control pretty well!

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

Levack Mine Sudbury Ont September 12 1929

My dear Ben,

Just about a couple of hours ago, I sent off the telegram to you. I guess you shall have received it long before this letter.

No, my dear pal, I am all right except for the fact that I have here a nasty cold and my tummy seems a bit out of order. But my friend the doctor here gave me some pills and medicine for both ailments and now I feel as though the recovery is in sight!

The exhibition was the goods! I knew that it was the greatest yearly exhibition is the world, but the realization sure cleaned up the expectation. What a lot to see! Cars, aeroplanes, agricultural halls, art galleries - all the industries were well represented. We watched the three mile race and the excitement of Ross's victory over Pritchard was too much for the crowd! Also listened to some nice music. And didn't we have fun with all the competitions, or, rather, games of skill and chance! And Irene was most lucky. She got two large boxes of chocolate and some smaller ones of caramel. I was singularly unlucky. But I enjoyed myself just as much!

Dear Bennie, I do hope you are not jealous because I was happy with someone else! You know perfectly well that of all my men friends you stand supreme. there are no other fellows that I can love as much as I love you. But with girls it is on a different plane altogether. If you would fall in love and be happy I would be ever so happy for you, although is you got another boy-friend, I would turn sickly olive colour with jealousy! You understand me well, don't you, my dear fellow!?

I received a letter from you mother yesterday and read it in the mine - on the 7th level to be exact! Yes, it does seem to me that since I left Farmington, all sorts of nasty things happened. I am awfully sorry about it: I guess I would be a lucky mascot for Farmington! I bet you are absolutely all in and looking forward to having a rest in New York. Poor Bennie, I would love to be with you to help along, if I could, and if you let me!

My work is getting on splendidly and i have heard through my roommate that the manager, Mr. Sharp, is going to promote me - to the machine work - I should imagine. It is beginning to dawn on my that I like my work very much! It wasn't as difficult to get down to it after the fine time I had in Toronto.

Thank you very much for the papers Bennie. They are always very welcome to me because they contain a lot of such interesting stuff, which I snap up with pleasure.

Well, goodbye Bennie. Give my love to mother and Auntie Lydia.

Your always loving Guigui

Levack Mine Sudbury Ont. Friday, August 30th 1929

Sweet Bennie,

You dear fellow! You still seem to thing there is a chance of me not liking your letters 100%! Hasn't the fact taht I have so often written to yo, succeeded to prove definitely how I appreciate your letters! Bear in mind Bennie, that every letter I receive from you is so much joy to me - gladness to hear from you all the news of your household, happiness to feel your dear, warm friendship. Oh Bennie, dear, I am so happy to be your friend!

I have received your book and papers. Thank you ever so much, Bennie. The book made me feel rather sad - you understand well don't you? But it is a fine book - it made me me think, as well as feel. I have recognised many people in the book - I mean I know some people that are just like the characters in it. The book was finished in something like four hours - nothing missed out - so that you can imagine how interest I was. The papers also provided the reading for the whole morning, and I have read the article about Dr. Cromwell.  The part of the paper on book-reviews is certainly interesting. Also the article on the building of the Panama Canal. That must have been wonderful! I have thought about it yesterday when I was picking and shovelling a ditch about thirty yards long, and felt sorry for the poor hundred odd cranes and dredges employed! They must have stained their coal-burning tummies, bless their mild-steel hearts.

A friend of mine has written a post card to me to tell me that I have passed Physics.  Another friend told me that I have passed Geology. And I know I have passed the rest. So that is a bit of worry off my shoulders - Rah!

I am now working underground where the work is very much harder than in the rock house. But I practice the Big Three and all goes well. I think a lit of you Bennie and remember our talks, and all that has been said.

Well, I have only half an hour to write a letter to your mother so I must stop. Love and kisses to mother and Auntie Lydia.

Your Loving Guigui

Levack Mine, Sudbury, Ont. August 25 1929

My Dear Bennie,

It seems years since I have written to you - it is disgraceful. Just a lapse though, my dear Bennie, because I love writing to you and I love receiving your letters. They make me feel so happy.

At last I have received your "second letter" with the snaps and yesterday I got your last letter with more snaps. They are simply marvelous! I love them, Bennie.

When I read your letters (the "second" and the last) I couldn't help thinking of that bit of poetry you copied for me. I admit I got quite "oily" around the eyes! I suppose anytime I shall happen to turn up at your home, I shall find the door open to retrieve me and your mother and Auntie Lyddia and yourself ready to welcome me? Gee, life is worth living with friends like this in it!

I have just written a long letter to Nenette (I received one from her the other day) and I told her during the two weeks with you not an angry thought or feeling of annoyance got into me; how my life was all smiles! Of course, I left out the stalling of cars on slopes........*@!!! Her address is c/o Mr. V. R. Hope
I can decipher your letters easily - well, not too easily but eventually every word is made out. Of course, the machine is far more efficient in this respect. You go ahead and do it exactly the way you want to. I heard you say that it is quicker on the machine. Well, use the machine. It doesn't seem a bit cold or formal - it was your fingers that pressed the keys, not a secretary's!

Owen has helped you a lot I see. Varnishing floors and fixing up stoves. You naughty fellow; you have never let me do anything for you by the way of helping you when I was over there! Except pick bugs! There, I admit, I felt satisfied when the job was over: they (bugs) were loathsome!

I am glad that you think that I have summed up Owen's personality fairly accurately. I am not much good at that sort of thing so this is a booster. Nothing like contemplating other people to make you forget your little petty annoyances and worries. You know whom I am thinking about don't you? When I read your "second" letter, I felt very depressed. When you have written it, you still had hopes, you were still struggling, you were full of determination to win, to set her right. And now...But we are better to forget it. Everything possible was done. The patient would not be cured.

I am getting a bit tired of the rock house. The work is a bit monotonous. I wander around a lot though, and worry poor fellows by requests for information. They are always please to tell me "all about it".

While I write this letter you have already sent me the duplicates of the snaps with the "second letter". I am afraid, but hope not because it is base extravagance to have duplicates. By the word "cluck" I no doubt you meant "cheque", but have written the word "cheque" - check - chuck - cluck. Do you see: (a) simple spelling mistake, (b) evolution of a "ch" into "cl", and simultaneous involution of "e" into "u". Thus "cheque" becomes "cluck" or Darwin is a fake!

You do not want to tire yourself Bennie. Fake it easy. Moderation, Direction, and Restraint work wonders!! I never get tired now. All my nervous energy is being slowly but steadily transformed into physical energy. Soon I shall be like an ox. Or is it possible?

The week after next, I am planning to go to Toronto for a couple of days to see the Great Yearly Exhibition there. I shall most probably stay at the friends house; you know the ones I have told you all about. The young lady of the house and I are very good friends, perhaps a bit more (wow) and she wants me to come over all right! You know Bennie, I like her an awful lot. I use the word "like" to be mild. And if you would see her [and you might some day] you would like her a lot too and would compliment me on my taste. But then, I forget, you do not care for girls much, do you? Well, you know I am not much of a shiek, but this girl is a peach. Reminds me of pieces like"Who", "She's a grand grand girl" and above all "The song of Spain". You remember I told you of that wonder piece of music I couldn't remember? Well, I saw it again in Montreal on the way here, and now I can hum it with ease. It is simply wonderful! Whenever I hum the tune I loved to pick up on your piano you know the one, it goes like this: /_.,_ _\,_ _/,__/. | | _ . _.,______ (I remember the times when I danced at Lakewood!) I wonder if you can get the rhythm I am trying to describe. It is a combination of Morse Alphabet, French accents, and ordinary commas.

I am talking a lot of rubbish! You must be thinking I am going out of my head. Well, anyway, it is too inferiority complexed. It isn't even superiority complex. It is superlative complex of super self-esteem of self satisfied-ego (Gash!) And now from the ridiculous to the sublime: How are you?............................
When will your holiday end, anyway? Here I am working hard and you are there playing with potato bugs, amusing yourself with the coroner; in fact simply wallowing in bliss! Well, a lot of healthy exercise with the  spade ought to keep you from putting on undue beef! [Please do not think me callous, dear Bennie. I must have some outlet for...er.....elfishness!] I hope it isn't Selfishness!

Kiss your mother and Auntie Lydia for me. I hope that all is very well with them both. I give you one too, my Bennie, the dearest pal on earth!

Your loving Guigui

Levark Mine Sudbury Ont. Sunday August 18th, 1929

Dear Bennie

To-day is Sunday, the day of rest and peace. The sin shines brightly, it is hot and everybody slumbers. But I , alas, am full of energy.

I have so far received six letters from you. The last one of August 15 or 16 (badly printed). It was such a sweet idea of sending me a four leaf clover - you dear Ben! You know I do not thing I have ever seen one before since once, I think, in Siberia. the letter with maps has not materialized.

Poor doctor! And Miss Stone must have felt like nothing on earth. I bet she is bordering on a break-down. Death has visited Farmington lately, it seems. How did he get one over? These connections do not seem to be very solid, either.

You poor Gravedigger! I hope are not that callous kind Shakespeare brings forward in "Hamlet". Well, well, well....I kind'a thought that the notorious word of "burglarize" would be colloquial. You must next see if there is such word as "antiburglarizationism". If there is, I'll take to drink!

I may have taken all the rust with me, but I am not so rusty (!) This work is doing me a lot of good. I am getting to be quite tough. Hard boiled Herman, in fact.

Dear old Owen! You know, he rather interests me. Externally, his a type of healthy, sporty, simple, though intelligent youngster; fond of machines, interested in all the latest inventions and in fact just what is understood by the expression of "Young America". But under that there lurks a very sensitive nature - I think. I think I see it in his searching anxious gaze in his eyes when he is talking with someone - which belies the lazy congenial smile on his lips. He is a bit of a dreamer too, I think. He sets high standards for himself. What do you think of his Phycology?

I now got well acquainted with the boys that work in the rock house. There are some very fine fellows there, in spite of their surroundings. It was rather hard for me to adapt myself at first. There were two courses for me: to remain aloof and make them understand the social difference, or to wise up and be like them - in the good sense. I certainly chose the latter. The first, due to the fact that I was just a workman, would inspire first ridicule, and then, enmity in them towards me. Besides, this is the "New World" (thank God) where the "casts" are a bit simplified. By a series of wrestling bouts and impressed the fact that it takes two small boys to get me; my reportee showed them that I could "talk to them" and above all, that in a general bit of sapping of any form, I could take the defeat  in good grace and not be over-revengeful, but still be "all square". Yesterday, we had some fine time which made the time simply fly. Fellows had handfuls of dust poured down their necks from behind; two of the fellows - French Canadians- chases me up to the beams near the ceiling. I pushed their faces as they came up; jumped down on the belt and finished up with wrestling with both of them at once. We never finished it - the boss came in...and was tickled to death! We were dusty, but soap and water put everything right.

Oh, how I would love to have been with you at Lakewood! It was sweet of Auntie Lydia to remember me! And it was so sweet of you all to think of me at the sound of jazz! Oh I love jazz! And there is none here! BOO!

Well, please kiss your mother and Auntie Lydia for me. And you, dear pal, a well controlled hug and a "loud one".

Your Guigui

Levack Mine Sudbury Ont. August 9.

My dear Bennie,

Just got your letter and I am hastening to reply to it at once.

I got your letter which you wrote while I packed - you are sweet Bennie. You see, to get our mail we have to go to the post-office - a short walk but the one I am apt to forget - not from now on tho'! Well, here goes a short diary of what's happened since I start working. My job is in the "Rock-House". No danger getting any strenuous work there! It consists of sorting out high grade, low-grade ores from a continuous line of rock debris that are moving on a rubber-belt four feet wide past you at a speed of 6"-8" per second. The hard work consists of the fact that out of 8 hours we have a chance to sit down only during a twenty minutes interval at lunch time at 12. Work is from 7AM to 3PM. I felt tired the first two days but now it has no longer any effect on me.

So Monday and Tuesday were off easily. On Wednesday, I went for a nice refreshing plunge in the river after work. The same on Thursday. By the way, on Wednesday we went to the Finn Hall. There was dancing but only four couples participated at the the accompanyment of a harmonium and we soon went home disappointment. There was no Jazzy orchestra with a "coon" rythmn, no "Wedding of the (illegible) Hall and without there - if you don't know people - you can't dance much.

Excuse please the rotten writing but I must write fast to be able to concentrate! You know me, Bennie!
.........
Yesterday (Thursday) we were loading a truck with heavy wooden beams, 10" by 10" and with cast iron weights and jaws of steel rock crushers. I did some honest sweating then all right and welcomed a change from the monotonous work in the "rock house". I'll have to do it for a week or two weeks more tho'!

To-day I have worked one hour over-time, if you please, and of course get pained for it. They don't pay us much in the rock house - only 41c per hour! Down the mine we get 59c and that's a lot better.

When I remember it, I am careful - very careful about: (1) Moderation (2) Restraint (3) Direction
and I am damned if I remember the fourth!

By the way, Bennie, it will be perfectly O.K. if you leave Mr. A.F. Sharpe's core out of my address. That way, I shall not have as wander over to his house and bother him with my correspondence.

I told you, you could beat Owen if you get brutal and slam the d-d pill from the shoulder! I bet you placed them in a mean style too! All I hope is that you won't bust Owen's morale. Go easy Ben.

To our doctor's progress is a zig-zag on the graph! I wish I was over there to put some rough stuff over! Well I'll do it when I come back and after a year's work in the mine, I ought to be quite efficient at at! But anyway, in a years time, she will be all-right!

You talk about a "couple of letters". I got only one- the one you wrote while I was packing. It's a queer climate they got here. There may be no snow till December, yet the worst snow storms are in March. The winter is "shifted" about three months later than in Siberia. I am looking forward to ski-ing and snow-shoeing; that will be some experience!

My biggest trouble is eating together with miners; some of them come down with filthy hands and faces and positively sweat dirt as they eat. It turns my insides upside down. the French Canadians and Slavs are the worst offenders, while the Finns, of whom there are a great number, are scrupulously clean. During the lunch, which I get at twelve, which consists of sandwiches, cake, fruit and tea in a thermos - and of which I partake by myself - is my best meal!

Gee, Ben, there is no piano here that I can play! Isn't it awful! I haven't had any letters from my friends but uncle has written me a letter through which I thought I detected an atmosphere of cheerfulness which gives me a vague idea that all goes well with him! That's fine!

Well Bennie, dear pal, I better close now. I have written this letter almost solely to tell you what I was doing, how I am (I am feeling fine) and all about "meself-rah"! I shall write again soon again. I shall certainly "break this life-long silence" of mine - for you.

Please give my best love to your dear mother and equally dear Auntie Lyddie and just take a hefty hug from your loving friend.

Guigui

P.S. It took No Effort to write this letter - Hurrah!!! Remember me to Freda, Owen and all the rest.

Levack, Sudbury, Ont. August 4th, 1929

Dearest Bennie,

Well, how are you, dear fellow? Gee, I was sad to leave you that night, I felt so happy at your home - life, as I said before, was like one sweet delightful dream - the only thing I got annoyed at is when I stalled the car going up-hill! Now, now, now!......"I'm playing another ball"!

Well, here I am. I have just written a letter to Mrs. Stinchfiled and therein are all the news. Now, I shall try to find something that I might have missed out.

At Montreal, I went on a two-hour bus trip all around the town. The driver explained, after pointing out all the interesting buildings. It was very delightful. It was so very funny to see what a splendid job the French Canadians have done to separate themselves socially from the English. There is a special French part of the city and the architecture of the houses struck me as being rather peculiar: the front door is on the first floor so that the wooden stairs, often winding through an angle of 90 degrees, lead to a height of over fourteen feet high above the ground level. There is another part of the city for rich French-Canadians, yet another for rich English! The Cathedral of Notre Dame is a wonderful building both inside and outside, but it is going to be totally eclipsed by the wonderful Cathedral de St Joseph de Montreal they are building now. Have you seen the wonderful collection of crutches they have there, that were left by people that are said to have been healed at the shrine? It seems too good to be true.

well, Ben, your ten dollars won't be yours yet for about a fortnight - that's when you shall get my first cheque.

I have made silly mistakes at Montreal and Toronto: at Montreal, I asked id there was any difference in fares from Montreal to Sudbury direct or through Toronto. They said there was none. So I took a ticket to Toronto. When trying to get a ticket from Sudbury, I was short of money because there was a difference of no less than five dollars. But the company soon fixed that up and all was well. Amid all this excitment, I forgot to cheque my luggage to Sudbury and arrived there with two cheques marked "Toronto". I have to wire to have them sent over for the pleasure of which the Canadian National Railways Co. retained 70c from my scanty and fast dwindling capital. Now; however, all is well.

Mr. Sharp, my manager, has changed from Garson to Laveck about three months ago, so I got a job here.

Well, Ben, this is really all the news. I can't think of anything interesting to say, not that what I said so far is especially absorbing. How is everything at home? I hope the Doctor is better, is not, I shall send a stick of dynamite post-haste with directions how to use. How do you get on with Owen at tennis? I hope that, due to my exceptional coaching, the games are close - when you are playing punk!

Well, good-bye, Bennie, I shall write to you again.

Your loving very very much

Guigui

My address:
W.H. Peacock Esq.
c/o A.F. Sharp Esq.
Levack Mine* near Sudbury, Ont.

* This link is about as useful as an outbreak of syphilus. It is a mine-cam, as in underground, in the pitch black. "Check back to see the occasion light from blasting" it says. But then I might have to take a break from my paint-drying program.

Grantleigh Hotel, Inverness Terrace, Hyde Park W2 26/3/29

My dear M. Ben,

Your letter has given me a much pleasure and i am now all a-tingling with the prospect of coming to see you at your home. I certainly wish ever so much that will be able to "pull it off"! 

My last examination this year I take on June 15th. Giving myself a week for preparation and another eight or nine days on the boat, I shall not arrive in Montreal before the beginning of July. It is a pity that i cannot possibly come a month before, as I would love to see "Noo Yarrk" with it's buildings sky-high and bustling traffic. Well, barring accident, I shall see it all sometime!

Judging from the photographs, your home and the surroundings are beautiful. How your mother and you must love it! By George, if once I get there, you'll have a job to get rid of me, M. Ben, so now you better take your choice!

Now, there is a point to clean up: whilst Venette loves writing letters in general, I loath it - in general. Please understand that I do not write letters to anybody, unless to answer or "as the spirit moves me". However, I shall write to you again and again, dear Ben. [I have omitted the "Mr." part of it, not because of the lack of respect - Heavens above us - no, but because with "Mr.", it sounds cold!]

I have passes in all my exams, but unfortunately did not do particularly well, which annoys me immensely. I shall certainly do better in the upcoming exams!

Venette's holidays start in a fortnights time while mine are already on. I shall not go away from London, as I have a lot of work to do. She shall come to London and stay about three minutes walk from here.

My uncle has not yet made himself memorable by a letter since over nine weeks weeks ago. I am getting a little impatient. You know from Venette's letters I suppose that he has married. I have seen my aunt's photograph; she is very sweet. Next year, he is going to bring her over; she is now in Harbin, Manchuria; and we shall settle down, I hope. I am yearning to have a home again.

Well, I am closing for the present. I shall write again soon. Please let me hear from you. Give my best regards to your mother.

I remain; always your friend

Guigui


Note: I screwed up the chronology, this should clearly be the 3rd letter in these installments. Furthermore, I had always assumed the Ben was one of Guigui's brothers, but I am starting to doubt that as I read on. This is getting interesting. Here is also some more information about the Grantleigh Hotel.

Levack, December 18, 1929 (Levack Mine Fire)

My dear Bennie

Again I was slow to answer, but this time I had a cause. I do not know if you saw it in the papers, but we had a nasty accident here last Sunday. Fire destroyed our rock-house and head-frame and a ship falling into the shaft-collar, killed four miners going up in a bucket. All work has been closed down. They are putting up a temporary head frame and the mining itself will begin in a months time approximately*.  We samplers could have gotten on with the work straight away if it wasn't for the fact that the drifts and crossents on the seventh level; where we have to sample - are flooded to a depth of 3.5-4.5 ft. This happened because the power was cut off and the pumps ceased to function. Fifth level is flooded too. It will take them three or four days to pump the water out. The pumping started this morning, I think.

The details of the accident were as follows.

On the day before the accident, on Saturday, two new ships, capacity of 10 men, were placed in position for work and tested successfully. They were drawn up about 50 feet above the shaft collar (i.e. above the level of the ground).

At 2:30 A.M. fire broke out in the rock house which is directly over the shaft. Orders were issued to put beams on the collar shaft so that no rubbish would fall into the shaft. At the same time, the shift-boss underground was notified of the danger by telephone. The latter, knowing that the new ships hanging overhead were supported by the wooden frame on fire, phoned up to have them lowered (i.e. gently lowered  onto the beams across the shaft collar). The regular hoistman was absent, and the assistance hoistman, excited by the fire, let the ships go down as fast as the engine would allow. Realizing at once that the ships would break the beams across the shaft-collar if lowered too fast in nervousness, he slammed on the brakes. The cable snapped and the 6 ton ships crashed through the beams and fell to the bottom of the shaft.

Meanwhile, four miners on the eighth level charged towards the bucket to take them up to the third level so that they would walk only some 300ft to the surface. They were forbidden to do so by the Shaft-leader, but while the latter left them to give others orders, they jumped in and began to be hoised to the third level by a small hoist there. Just before they reached the third level, the falling ship crashed on top of them, jammed for a moment, snapped the cable and then let drop the bucket to the bottom of the shaft.

The next morning, one man was brought up in six pieces; in separate powder bags, and there is a half of one still stuck with the ship. They were two slavs and two Finns, none married.

This is pretty awful, and serves to show that "one never knows".

Well, Bennie, accidents will happen but it is better to die than to live a life of fear of death!
I shall write to you again soon.

Your loving

Guigui

*The Levack mine was not re-opened until 1937.

Levack Mine, Sudbury, Summer (sometime), 1929

My Mrs. Stinchfield,

Ben has written to me that you were ill. I am very sorry to hear that; I hope that it is nothing serious and that you shall be all well very soon. Dear old Ben keeps on worrying whether he is not writing too much - as it his letters could bring anything to me but pleasure - except when they contain bad news about anyone I care for around Farmington - and there are many of those people! Everybody loves Ben and hence has taken to me, his friend, very well and I cannot possibly thing of Farmington as of a strange, unfamiliar sort of place.

This week I was working on the afternoon shift, from 3pm-11pm. Walking home in the midnight along a mile of desolate railway track has a fascination all of it's own! There are bears afoot, so I am told but why should I worry? At least there are no bandits to hold up and burglarize anyone!

About a week ago, I had a nasty cold and had expected to start coughing. But, the miracle of miracles, I went down the mine and after several hours of honest perspiration felt better and now it has all passed away without a simple cough. That's how the animals catch colds!

It's a long time since I had a bath, sad to say. The river is still quite warm but does not act well as a cleanser. There are not bathes in the house - the one in teh bathroom is put in use only during the winter. There is a Finnish bath-house where they steam themselves until they are of colours ranging from delicate pink to deep purple. I am told it is very efficient but a beginner ought to "go easy" as it is liable to go hard on the heart.

It is still nice and warm, and i go for long walks regularly. The river is my favourite place. I sit on a rock and watch the sparkling waves roll by, and carve out a stick with my knife, singing "Old Man River" and all the jazz pieces I know, trying to be as melodious as possible!

Well, I must wish now ore I'll be late for my work, which will mean an hour docked and my name on the "doubtful books".

I surely hope that by the time this letter reaches you, you will be feeling fine. Please give my best to Auntie Lydia, and a "condescending knod" to Ben.

Yours Lovingly

Guigui

Lake Shore Camp, Kirkland Lake Ont. May 7th 1928

My dear Bennie,

I received your letter a day before I left. You sure saved my life - our life - that time! Otherwise, I don't know how I would get to Kirkland Lake ! But here I am back at the Lake Shore, contract mucking. There's good money in this job, but it is all bull-work and I am just about fed up with it. However, I am "in line" for two descent jobs: one as a sampler, the other one being work on flotation in the mill. I guess I'll get one of them, anyway (that's all I can handle).

We have arrived in Kirkland Lake on the evening of the 24th - dead broke so that we had to hunt up our acquaintances to borrow enough to pay for the gas down to Montreal - as my friend had to go there on business. He has a job assured to him at the Lake Shore Mill, and is coming up here in about ten days time.

How are things with your mother and you? When are leaving for Farmington falls? This has been an early summer hasn't it? That's why we have been lucky to get up to Kirkland Lake in the car, though ther has been some pretty rotten spots. Luckily, the government has horse-teams patrolling these places, pulling through optimistic motorists.

I have gotten my results from Queens - and they are terrible. I have managed to fail in every "doubtful" subject. The "Faculty however feels" that owing to my time table being all messed up and the course being especially difficult for me, I should be allowed to write supplements on all of them in the fall. But I do not think I'll do it. I feel as though I haven't been enough grounding in the subjects that I have been taking. General 5 without General 1 (by the way, I passed this) Surveying 3 and 5 - failed in both, without Surveying 1. So that, as the Dean told me in the fall, I better take 3 years over it instead of two. It is all very annoying, but it's no use howling about it. It's mostly my fault - I didn't study well enough.

Well, Bennie, I must quit. I'll write to you again soon. Please give my love to your mother.

Your Friend

Guigui

260 Rapot St Kingston, Ont. 21/12/26

My dear Bennie,

I received your card and note, and I want to thank you very much. Greatly as I regret it, I will not be able to make it this Christmas, Ben, and I am very sorry about it, as I know I would have had a wonderful time.

As I told you before (I think I did) I have made a "date" with a girl-friend of mine since September to spend our own Christmas together - at least some of it. So she is coming down to Toronto, and I'll meet her there. However, with all that, I am a confirmed bachelor, and will remain so for a long time to come - so help me god.

I bet New York at Christmas time is like a huge roaring bee-hive! It must be gorgeous to be there now! Well, Ben, unless I get bumped off before that, by hook or crook I'll spend a Christmas in New York yet! And if you won't invite me over, I'll come over anyway, take a couple of rooms opposite yours and thumb noses at you across the corridor! *

I hope you will have a great time this Christmas, Bennie, and I hope Mrs. Stinchfield will feel fine and enjoy herself too. I think I will have a good time - I hope so anyway.

Please give my love to you and mother and remember me to ms. Gladys, and Owen when you see them.

Always loving you,

Guigui

P.S. I am very busy writing my thesis - on underground scraping - like at Calumet and Hecla & Wisconsin (un.) Range, USA.

16 Janvier 1922

Cher Monsieur Ben, 

Mille fois merei pour vos aunables lettres et le bon souvenir, que vous avez garde de moi. Vous pouvez etre sur, que j'ai garde ' de vous le meine bon souvenir, et qui vouse etes un de mes meilleurs amis. Le plaisir sera tres grand lorsque je vous reverai. J'ai toujours pense que es moment etait proche, mais, queliquefoes le hoses s'arrangent mal et me voice eneore clou an Japon, et je ne sais jusqu a quand, sauf qu au mois de juillet ou d'aout nouse par-tons avec Guigui et Venette au Kanada, a Victoria, ou je placerni Huillaume au collge. Nous avons regis des catalogues et des lettres du president de ce college et nous pouvons juger que c'est magnifique. Comme vous voyez, je serai pres de vous, mais assez loin pour ne pas vous voir. 'illes monyeks ne me pesmettiant pas d'aller en Amerique, ce qui auroit ete un vrai bonheurs pour moi. Je vais vous causer un focu de Krasnoyarsk ou j'ai passe de tres bons moments, surtout lorsque vous etrez pouni nous. J'ai ete bien triste d' etre oblige de qiutter mes amis et eneose plus triste de savoir qiu beacoup d'entre aux sont morts. Docteurs Kousenoff, son frere l'avocat docteur Ratchrousry sont morts, peu apres mon depart. Les paures Russessouffrent beucoup. Lorsque je lis vos lettres, vous etes present devant moi: je vous vois toujours gai et dishose a faire plaisir a aux, qui vous entourent. Continuez et vous serez heureux. Je vais vous caconter un peu de la vie, que je mene a Yokohama. Les premiers temps je ne connaissais personne et ma vie etait assez monotone. Ence moment nous avons des amis anglais et Americains et us nous distraise. De temps en temps nous avons de the's daniants et des soirees, ou nous digustons des "two step 'et des' one step". Guillaume est deja un petit jeune homme. Les moustaches commencent a lui pousser. Il est plus haut que moi et pourtant il est eneose un bebe. Quant a ses etrioles, il nous donne toute satisfaction, car il apprend tres bien, paslant l'anglais assez couramment Venette, tres haute de taille; tout le monde la gate, mais elle ceste assez indifferante aux compliments qu'on lui faits. Quant a ses etudes elle est un peu paresseuse. Cher monsieur Ben, sus-tout ne pas m'oublier, mes enfants vous embrassent, et moi, je vous envoie mes meilleures amities, ainsi qu a Madame Henfile

                                                                                    O. Peacock

A quick spin through Google Translator, and this is what we get, if I transcribed with even the remotest of accuracy, which I know I did not. Forgive me en francais.

Dear Mr Ben,

A thousand times for your many letters and good memory, you have custody of me. You can be sure that I care 'of our good memories, and you are one of my best friends. The pleasure will be very great when I will dream. I always think that when art was close, but the hoses queliquefoes arrange badly and I voice nail eneore year Japan and I was not sure until when, except that in July or August by nouse-tones with Guigui and Venette in Canada, in Victoria, or I Huillaume the college's. 

 We have governed catalogs and letters from the president of this college and we can judge that it is beautiful. As you see, I am close to you, but far enough not to see you. Circumstances do not permit me not to go to America, what would have been a real happiness for me. I will cause  Krasnoyarsk where I spent some very good moments, especially when you Étrez Pouni us. I was very sad to be obliged to my friends and very sad know of to have died. Doctors Kousenoff, his brother's lawyer Dr. Ratchrousry died shortly after my departure. The paure Russessouffrent beaucoup. When I read your letters, you are present before me: I see you still gay and has dishose has to give pleasure, that surround you. Continue and you'll be happy. A little life I lead in Yokohama. The first time I knew no one and my life was rather monotonous. Sometimes we have English friends and Americans and we socialise. From time to time we have the dances in the evenings, or we try the "two step 'and' One Step". William is already a young man. He's even starting to grow a moustache. He is taller than me and yet it is still a baby. As for his etrioles, he gives us any satisfaction, as he learns very well, blanched English fluently enough Venette, very tall size, everyone the gate, but quite indifferent to compliments that he made. As for his education is a bit lazy. Dear Mr. Ben, above all not forget me, my children will embrace, and I send you my best friendships, as well as to Madame Henfil

In anyone can help with the French, please drop a line and I'll send you the whole letter scanned. 

Yokohama 13 Bluff 5 December 1921

Dear Mr. Stinchfield,

I have not written to you for a long time waiting when you will return from your trip. It was with great pleasure that we received your cards showing us your whereabouts. But lately we received no more and presume that either you returned home or you are preoccupied with many interesting things which you are seeing in Europe.

We hope to hear from you soon and to learn the real reason of your silence. Are you pleased with your journey? How did you find Czekoslovakia, and our friend Selek? Did you go to England?

As regards ourselves, we are still in Japan and heaven knows when we shall leave it*. I am afraid our long intended journey to Europe must be abandoned. I cannot get from my firm a long leave and my wife does not wish to go alone. As my principal reason for this journey was Guigui**, who must be far to some school; we have to change our flaws as regards his education.

I have written to the headmaster of the Univ. Mid. School in Victoria whether they can take Guigui and expect their answer - so it is possible that either my wife or both of us will go next year to Canada - they praise this school here, have you heard anything about it?


My brother is staying with us. He has an interesting trip to Kamtchatka, and now has a good rest.
The children go to the school and are doing well. Guigui is quite a big boy and is much healthier than he used to be in Siberia.

We have changed our address. We have now a very pretty garden and lawn where the children can play croquet - my wife likes this country, it is not as cold as Siberia. As regard myself, I prefer to go back to Siberia.

One of our employees, a Selt, arrived to Latvia some time ago. He writes that our house in Krasnoyarsk  is quite uninhabitable. The central heating is damaged. Well, we shall make refrains if we want to live there again.

My wife, children, and myself send you and your mother our kindest regards and best wishes.

Yours Truly,

E.H. Peacock


Notes:
*They never did leave Japan - they perished in the Great Kanto Earthquake on September 1st, 1923.

**Guigui was my grandfathers pet name. It is chinese, spelled 鬼鬼, and means roughly, "little Devil".