Grandview Nov. 4, 1913
Dear Bess:
Your letter has made a confirmed optimist out of me sure enough. I know now that everything is good and grand and this footstool is a fine place to be. I have been all up in the air, clear above earth ever since it came. I guess you thought I didn't have much sense Sunday, but I just couldn't say anything—only just sit and look. It doesn't seem real that you should care for me. I have always hoped you would but some way feared very much you wouldn't. You know, I've always thought that the best man in the world is hardly good enough for any woman. But when it comes to the best girl in all the universe caring for an ordinary gink like me—well, you'll have to let me get used to it.
Do you want to be a farmer? Or shall I do some other business. When Mamma wins her suit and we get all the lawyers and things out of the way I will then have a chance for myself. We intend to raise a four hundred-acre wheat crop, which if it hits will put us out of the woods. If we lose, which I don't think about, it will mean starting all over for me. You may be sure I'm not going to wait till I'm Montana's chief executive to ask you to be Mrs. Governor, but I sure want to have some decent place to ask you to. I'm hoping it won't be long. I wish it was tomorrow. Let's get engaged anyway to see how it feels. No one need know it but you and me until we get ready to tell it anyway. If you see a man you think more of in the meantime, engagements are easy enough broken. I've always said I'd have you or no one and that's what I mean to do. (This darned pen has it in for me.) Luella and the kids are here today. They are sure a fine pair. I haven't told Luella my Sedalia and Regalia story yet. I have the most awful job ahead of me you ever heard of. It is necessary for me to pay a visit to six country schools and make a speech at each one about the Washington Township Fair. It is going to be at Grandview and I am on the committee to get exhibits. The schools have to be notified because the school that has the best exhibit of schoolwork gets ten dollars. Also the Commercial Club, of which I am also the representative, is offering a prize for the school with the biggest attendance. Don't you feel sorry for me? You know I've got a timid disposition anyway and school kids, especially country ones, haven't very much sympathy for a person. It has to be did though. Washington Township is trying to beat Prairie, which contains Lee's Summit. I hope we can. Mr. Ikenbury is the man who is having the fair for the benefit of the farmers. I am going to borrow a cow and see if I can't win ten dollars. Mr. Makin is pasturing the finest Hereford cow I ever saw, here. There is ten dollars offered for the best cow. If I enter her and win, there'll be ten dollars toward a show or diamond ring. Twenty- five premiums like that might get a real pretty one. I'm going to get you one as soon as the change is forthcoming. Bess, why am I an enigma? I try to be just what I am and tell the truth about as much as the average person. If there's anything you don't understand, I'll try and explain or remedy it. I feel very much stuck up at being called one, especially by you, for I always labored under the impression that it took smart people to be one. This letter seems to me to be much more erratic and incoherent than the last, but you shouldn't blame me very much because I'm all puffed up and hilarious and happy and anything else that happens to a fellow when he finds his lady love thinks more of him than the rest of the beasts. Send me a letter quick. If I can raise business reasons enough to please Papa, I hope to see you before Sunday.
Most sincerely, Harry