Dahringer to Besley, November 10, 1909

Dahringer to Besley, November 10, 1909

Homer Dahringer writes to Ruth Besley about college football games and going through physical training.

Homer Dahringer

11/10/1909

Correspondence

Document

Urbana, Ill. Nov. 10. 1909. My Dear Ruth: I cant just remember where I left off in my last letter so I may repeat some things. Will you please pardon me if I do. You asked why Adele and Al didnt go to that dance. I can only say that it was probably my fault. Because Al thought it his duty to call on me saturday evening. The three of us spent an enjoyable evening. At least I did. I cant say as to Adele and Al. You also ask why I didnt go. I can only say that some people do ask such fool questions. If I may use the expression. Also you were entirely welcome to that ride I gave you. You should not have taken that clipping so seriously. You made me feel as though I really had done something. If I have I am sorry. I guess that is all I have to say about your last letter except that I was glad to get it on the day that I expected it. But I hope you will send your next one a trifle earlier or else at the same time as before and address it to Waukegan. because I start home one week from next tuesday. Oh! You thanksgiving dinner. I started this letter this morning but had to go to class and couldnt finish it so and it is now 11 P.M. so I wont be able to mail it until tomorrow afternoon. I am very busy now. All the teachers seem to be crowding us because thanksgiving day is coming. Tonight we all studied until 10 oclock and then went over to a restaurant and had pie and cider. I am afraid I cant sleep well. I practised (sic) basketball after school tonight and got bummed-up all over. I feel like a touch-me-not. Illinois won the last two foot-ball games. against Indiana and Purdue. I didnt go to either game. But after the Indiana game after supper all the college-fellows lined up on the campus and had a snake-dance down thru the main street of Champaign. Then they built a large bon-fire on the main corner of the town and captured all the street-cars by surrounding them and pulling off the trollies. By this time a bunch of city rough-necks had mingled with the crowd and began throwing bricks and eggs at the policemen. Then they tried to break into all the theatres. As soon as things became serious the college fellows stopped because all they wanted was a little fun but the city bunch kept right on raising cane and the result was that we college fellows got a fierce write-up in the Chicago papers and in the Champaign papers. It really was the town toughs that went to the extreme. Some college leaders tried to make the bunch stop but they were hit with rotten eggs and soon gave up. It was some excitement while it lasted. Sunday two automobiles collided here and one lady was quite seriously hurt. Her face was cut up something fierce. Today a street-car ran into a delivery wagon and smashed it to pieces but no one was hurt. It is late now so I will quit for tonight. Do you realize that while I am writing this it is about 1 oclock A.M. where you are. Seems funny dont it Back again! After a while I will have this letter finished so I can send it. This is Thursday evening now. Quite a few things have happened to-day. In the first place Physical Training has started. The P.T. teacher is a big guy who thinks he is all the cheese because he is large. There are 83 boys in my division of the P.T. class and I suppose it makes a pretty picture when we all do the exercises in unison but it is awful strenuous work for those exercising. You know how I love to work. Well I would rather work than take P.T. To-day was our first lesson in it and the instructor told us it was mild but one boy actually fainted from exhaustion. If I can get on the basket-ball squad after thanksgiving I will be able to get out of P.T. Albert Hall is playing on the class-foot-ball team. Tonight they played the Juniors and beat them 6-3. Halley played fine. Next week they play the Seniors for the college championship. I hope, for Alberts sake, that they win. To-day I found out something very disagreeable. I read in the college paper that any one skipping early before Christmas or staying home late after Christmas would be disqualified and would not be permitted to take the final exams. I inteded (sic) to skip two-days early but now I cant leave here until late Wed. afternoon Dec.22. That adds two days to my stay here. Maybe I wasnt sore. The law dont take effect until Dec.1. so I can skip thanksgiving but what good does it do me. Oh! Well! Cheer up. Rome wasnt built in a day. Ill have to study now. Most sincerely yours. Homer. D. I will just add this page so no-one can read thru the envelope. Not that it would hurt anything But then __________ Tell your room-mate that she is no sticker. I bet you dont tell her. Remember I will be in Waukegan one week from Tuesday.