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Postmarked January 25, 1922
Miss Marie H. McCarthy
6801 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, Ohio

Sweetheart –
Your dear letter came this morning and I have read it over and over. It is really the nicest I have ever received and I shall put it in my treasure box and keep it forever.

I had not told Mother or Dad of our happiness, but today I heard her up stairs, so I went up and told her I wanted her to read a very nice letter, and gave her your letter to read. (Wouldn’t let anyone else)

Mother thought it was dear too, and seemed and was, quite pleased to know that I had found a girl who could write such a letter.

She told me to remember that you were giving up everything for me and that as you grew older you would need me more than you do now and that I must keep on loving and caring for you forever. And I will little girl. I’ll love you, love you always.

Mother said too, that she hoped that you would love her and tears almost came when she said, “Earl, you know I’ll be good to her.” I kissed her and then we were both quite happy.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Mother said Dad would be more crazy about you than either she or I, so you see what you are getting into.

When I finished my work and got dressed, I went into the office where Mother and Dad were and said, “Well, did you tell Dad?” She had and Dad told me it was alright.

Maybe you can see where I get some of my …. (a page of this letter is missing) …also a bean or two.

The jeweler is expecting our mountings tomorrow and I will get busy and select the most beautiful one he has, for we must have it back here in time for February 4th.

The days go quickly but just the same it seems ages and ages between the times we are with each other.

I happened to see an item in tonight’s paper which said “married 50 years and sill lovers.”

Tell Polly she can put the same thing in the Press someday about you and I. Only you and I are going to be lovers forever, aren’t we dear?

I heard mother say something very, very nice about you today. And when you tell me what she said the other day, I’ll tell you what she said today.

Are we going to keep secrets from each other always? I hope not for I will dearly love to tell you all my hopes and ambitions and maybe some of my troubles when it needs be.

The old town clock is striking twelve and Bill must go to bed.

Dear Marie, I love you and before I go to sleep I am going to ask God to make me worthy of your love and to keep you well and happy forever and forever.

Goodnight my nice girl.

Bill
Tuesday
Jan 24

The dates associated with most of these letters came from the post mark on the envelope the letters were placed in when the museum received them as a donation. Some of the letters may seem out of place, or out of order because of this. As we have no clear knowledge of exactly when all the letters were written, we have kept them in order of the dates on the envelopes.