Dahringer to Besley, October 14, 1909

Dahringer to Besley, October 14, 1909

Homer Dahringer writes to Ruth Besley about joining the basketball team at the University of Illinois and about different clubs at the school.

Homer Dahringer

10/14/1909

Correspondence

Document

Page 1 Thursday Oct 14. 1909 My Dear Ruth: You will probably know by this time (If you have received my last letter) that I am a whole lot too impatient. You know the cause but after this I will try and wait longer before I write asking for a letter. I received your letter all O.K. and must say it contained some surprises such Page 2 as George B and Caroline Pope. Also you studying 9 hours and retiring at ten oclock. How does it feel. I am sorry to say we have no light restrictions here. But I have an eight oclock class on which is as bad as lights out at 10 oclock. We are having quite a bit of excitement at our house here. Albert is going to take Orpah to the Chicago game and Dwight is going to take Geneviere Lyons. Dwight didnt know that Albert was going to take Orpah Page 3 to the game until he got a letter from her today. She said she would probably see him (Dwight) at the game. Now Dwight thinks he is in for it. Think of it, Saturday night I will be at home. May I call on you. I am going to have one grand big meal and a nice long ride even if it is cold. Should I take one for you to. A Hall just told me that maybe John G T couldnt go to the game Saturday and that Evelyn would go anyway and that I would have to help him (Albert) out by taking Evelyn. Of course I would be glad to do it but between you and I heres hoping I dont have to. To be sure that is just between you and I. The sophomores were out last night and posted proclamations all over town. You know what they are. Big posters with the picture of Page 4 a baby on them and 1913 in large letters. Besides a whole lot of abusive language about we Freshmen. I dont know whether the freshmen are going to get get out any proxies or not. The fine, if you are caught putting them up, is expulsion from U of I. And I guess that is some disgrace. I have gone into training for basket-ball already. Page 5 There isnt any chance for me to make the Freshman varsity team but I am going to take it up for the exercise and the good fellowship there is in it. It is a shame you cant take it up there on account of your studies if you like it because it is good exercise. That call I had to visit the Seargent of the army was purely a visiting call. He had me sit down and tell him how I was getting along and all about myself. Then Page 6 he told me if I ever needed help I should go to him. He invited me up to his house some evening and then dismissed me. Kind of nice. Yes? But then I dont think he has a daughter so I dont think I will call on him. Too bad. Tonight we have a mass meeting in the auditorium and tomorrow night I am going to a lecture course. Rita Fornia and four stringed instrument players. Given under the auspices of the Ionian Lecture club. Also I have two quizs tomorrow. One in spannish and one in Trigonometry. The latter is some study. I got 70 in the last quiz. Ed C got 53 so I wasnt so bad. It is time for me to go to Forge shop so I will quit. Ever Yours Homer. Im wearing my heart away for you Page 7 P.S. Please notice the length of this P.S. I had this letter all sealed and stamped and then I went to the Mass meeting. So now I changed my mind and want to tell you all about the mass meeting. It was the greatest ever. The auditorium was crowded. There was hardly standing room The men who talked Page 8 All talked confidently and the crowd cheered to the limit. The glee club sang My Illinois The band played between each speech and enthusiasm was so high you couldnt hear yourself think. If Chicago beats Illinois it wont be the Illinois Rooters fault. The whole crowd sang Illinois Loyalty and the band played it. Now you can talk about all the good opera singers & singing you want but for me give me Illinois Loyalty sung by Illinois Rooters Page 9 After the meeting all the fellows went into the street and had a snake dance up to the armory where the Team were practicing signals and cheered them. I left and came home then but Ed C Hall and the bunch went to Champaign to the carnival. I suppose they will start something. I have two tests tomorrow so I have to start something (study) Bidie T is down here in our room studying for the test too. Dodie is reading the Saturday E. Post. He didnt go to the mass meeting on account of work. The meeting started at 6:30. I forgot to tell you that Illinois beat Millburn 23-0 Kentucky beat Illinois 6-2. I guess this is all I want to say along this line at present. If there are any things wrong in this letter please excuse them because I feel rather High Strung and Im in a hurry to study. Vale Bona amica H.D.