Perry letters

carry out into their daily life the wise precepts of Samuel Smiles. I myself, have tried to do so, and have received a great stimulus in all my work.

I note with a great deal of concern and misgiving the unincreased proportions of my frame. I have taken after each meal a spoonful of Elmo's Cod Liver Oil, and the only effect it has yet had upon me is a nauseating anad disgusting taste in my mouth after each dose, and a loathsome dread for the next one. As long as my candy lasted I placed one of these in my mouth after taking the medicine in order to diminish the bitterness of it, but now that my candy is gone I am compelled to gulp down the dose without the edulcorating influence of the chocolate creams.

Having received, last week, a severe concussion on the seat of my best and only trousers I was under the painful necessity last night of mending them. As it was only a rip; and, furthermore, as I had no other ones to wear I was compelled to sew them up after I had gone to bed. It is needless to say that I made an excellent and stylish job of it. Unless you made a microscopic examination you would think that a tailor had performed the operation upon my seating capacity instead of myself. Well I must close now, as I have written a long enough letter.

Love to all and the most for yourself

I am, your boy,

F. Jewell

Wed. P.M. Feb. 3, 97.

My dearest Mama:

I received your long and loving letter this morning and this quick reply is a good indication of my happiness to get it. I am indeed sorry that I gave you cause for sorrow, but believe me, Mama, I did not mean to.

Not having received your first letter I naturally supposed that you were neglecting me in not having written but now I am very glad to hear that it was unintended. I know that you will forgive me for having written as I did, but I thought that a true mother would not, at least, forget her son after he had written to her.

However, as it is all over with, and no one is to blame let us be happy that no more serious loss than a letter occurred.

I am so glad that you are going to send me a birthday present. I was in doubt at first, whether you would or not. My room-mate also expects a box of delicacies sometime in the near future, and many a pleasant moment we

anticipate while enjoying the contents of our boxes. I will thank Aunt Ruby by way of you for her box of paper; before I see it I can say without any hesitation that it will be a fine lot of paper (and will be frequently used).

As to the photographs: As soon as you get the three from the photographer give one to Elmo, and send one to Ed and to Mabel within their books. Have you sent those books to Mabel and Mae yet? If not, do so as soon as possible, and, if you will, write a few lines telling Mabel to answer my last letter, which has not been answered for over two weeks.

I intend to write to Ed, thanking him for his presents, and when I write I will tell him of the book and the picture.

I am pleased to hear that you are going to send up the Sunday papers, as I am always interested in news from home.

The boys say that Dr. Jordan, by some dogmatic sermon delivered at Berkeley, Sunday, called down

upon his head the wrath of some of our ministers. If you find the article send it along also.

I was pained to see that at the very end of your letter you placed an interrogation mark after the word "loving" in your close. Do you doubt, my dear Mama, for one moment the sincerity of my love. There is not one person in this whole world who can claim more of my affection than my mother. Although there may be some of whom I may think a great deal, yet whom should a dutiful son love more than the mother who endured so much for him in the past, and who is ever willing to endure as much in the future?

Never till I left home, away from the loving influence of a dear mother, did I realize the greatness of my obligations and the proportionate love as a consequence. No, Mama, you need never hesitate to sign yourself "loving," for may I never live to see the day when my beloved mother shall not have my heart-felt and sincere affection.

We have been suffering from the rain here for the last week, and as a result, the greater part of the roads are under water.

In bus-fare alone I have saved twice, almost, the cost of my rubbers. My overcoat is an excellent one. It serves both for the purpose of keeping me warm, and protecting me from the storm. With my coat and rubbers on I can brave the wildest storm without the slightest inconvenience or susceptibility to cold.

Well, I must close now as I have quite a number of lessons to prepare, so bidding you good bye, with love and kisses to you, I remain, as ever, with love to all,

Your loving boy,

F. Jewell Perry

19 years old to day!

P.S.

Where are those

Postage Stamps?