16 December 1918 Biwabik

Dear Don,

Well I've just finished about a sixteen page letter to Ruth. Ought to hold her for a year to come. She wired me the other day and asked if I was sick. I can't see why she'd worry for I had written her since she did me. Now with you it's different, I'll admit I didn't write. I'm feeling fine again.

Now in regard to the Christmas presents. I'm going to be right here in Biwabik so its kind of a hard matter to send presents but I'll fix up some kind of a box for Lela's kids and put your name in too. I have sent Betty money for a doll cab and I sent Bob $5.00 for what he wanted. I'm subscribing for a magazine for H. and one for Dad and I sent Ruth $5.00 to buy herself something. It is just impossible to get anything here and I don't know what they want. I told Ruth she could buy a Dining Room set or make a payment on her grocery Bill.

I sent you your present when I tho't you were going to War but I guess you'll be able to make use of it.

I expect Ruth will write me a letter bawling me out about being a tight wad but I know my business as well as any one and I want to save my money until summer for so help me God if I ever get strapped for money again like I did last summer. I know Betty is cute an worth seeing but its simply seeing them and having to leave and I can't always want what I want.

Its much better for every one all round to stay right where I am. I don't have any fun in Mason City any way and this year I haven't the clothes. Christmas, and this Christmas especially with the war over they'll be having dancing, etc. the Owls and New Years and all and I never go so why spend forty to eight or 100 dollars to go down and come back with a bad taste in my mouth.

Edythe has been writing me each day and she just begs me to come to F-go. Poor kid, the flu sure did her dirt. I wrote her tonight to not ask me any more to come 'cause I couldn't. Gosh I'm so tickled she's coming back in Jan.

Did I tell you we are going to room together? We have the suite of rooms at the Hotel - living room, bed room and bath and we get it for $5.00 a piece. You see the School Board rented the downstairs for our club and they have to heat the Bdlg. and the man who rents the hotel said he'd rent it for $50.00 (the whole upstairs I mean) so eleven teachers took it and because Pinkie and I wanted to room together they gave it to us (the suite). My roommate is going to room with Pinkie's roommate. Gladys has been pretty good about it.

Now I do hope Edith doesn't get sick. I'm so lonesome for her I nearly die sometimes. She's the first girl I ever knew in my life I absolutely fell for. She's the nearest a chum I ever had. I never think she's five years younger altho she is awfully kiddish at times. She's as tall as I am, has a dandy figure is light complexioned, has loads of hair and a pretty complexion and has much class. She isn't a good mixer at all and doesn't make friends with people quickly. She centers herself on me only, but I spread myself out over every where.

Since Edythe has been gone I've been paling with Miss Fischer (the one who knows the Brown girls) she is the best company and witty! Honest she has Aunt Anna beat a hundred miles. I'm just doubled up laughing all the time, but gosh I'm so lonesome for Edythe I'm sick.

I'm going to Duluth at the end of vacation to meet her and it will break the monotony for me. I'm so glad we are going to room together.

I suppose you will be home Christmas. Somehow it doesn't seem like Xmas to me this year but everybody is getting anxious for school to close even tho we have been having a flu vacation. I've got to have some dentist work done during Christmas vacation and I'm going to get moved and then just rest - I'm so tired - feel like I've had the flu.

Say isn't it terrible the number of deaths - did you know John Porter '07 died and Chic Swiney died. Eugene Scroggie severely wounded in France.

Oh it's so terrible!

Must close and go to bed.

Write soon again.

Lots of love,
Leone.

P.S. Now you don't need to write either and bawl me out for its what I want to do (staying here Xmas I mean).