January 5, 1942, Evanston, Illinois

Tom has arrived back at Northwestern after the Christmas holidays and is missing being with Zoe. He has some competition for her affections from Jim Cearnal and an unnamed Chemistry instructor. Tom and his friend, Steve Hempelman attend a basketball game between Northwestern and Minnesota.[1]Northwestern won, 49-38

Mon. afternoon

January 5, 1942, Evanston, Illinois, Page 1
January 5, 1942, Evanston, Illinois, Page 1

Dearest,

I couldn’t wait any longer to write you. Already it seems like yesterday was ages ago.

I arrived in Chicago at 10:00 the train was an hour late. I hope you made it back O.K. and be sure and take care of your cold, you know, stay in on weekends and the such, but all kidding aside do take care of it. The temperate here is 6 degrees below and believe me its really cold I just about froze coming out on the “L” last night. I stopped off and saw Elaine and Stanley they were up and had been expecting me.

January 5, 1942, Evanston, Illinois, Page 3
January 5, 1942, Evanston, Illinois, Page 3

I think I was more homesick this morning than I had yet been, but it really wasn’t homesickness for home. Zoe, I really never felt so let down in all my life as I did when I got on the train last night. It hasn’t left me yet either. You do believe me when I tell you that I love you, don’t you, Zoe? I hope you meant what you said in your letter at home, and I really wouldn’t have let anybody read it if I had seen it first.

I think I will go down to Elaine’s Wed. afternoon I still have all her presents to take. Our house formal is Feb. 7 but I told the boys and had other and better dates for that weekend, and by the way I hadn’t asked you for a date for then yet. May I have a few? (R.S.V.P.)

I hope my competition isn’t to great down there between Jim and the Chem instructor because I am at a little disadvantage.

Steve and I are going to the basket-ball game tonight N.U. and Minnesota play it should be a good game.

Northwestern's Patten Gymnasium, opened in 1940. This is where Tom and Steve attended basketball games. Their fraternity house (Sigma Nu) is at the far right of the picture, just across a narrow road next to the gymnnasium.
Northwestern’s Patten Gymnasium, opened in 1940. This is where Tom and Steve attended basketball games. Their fraternity house (Sigma Nu) is at the far right of the picture, just across a narrow road next to the gymnnasium.

If you don’t like this letter let me know and I won’t write any more like it, but its the way you have me feeling. I had to tell somebody how much I love you, I guess I could tell Steve but I doubt if that would give much satisfaction.

January 5, 1942, Evanston, Illinois, Page 3
January 5, 1942, Evanston, Illinois, Page 3

I had better close now and try to study alittle. Remember you you can’t write often enough to suit me. I am always expecting a letter.

Pardon the different colors between the envelopes and paper, but some xxx xxxx so an so took all my white envelopes. See you the 7th.

With love,

Tom

January 5, 1942, Evanston, Illinois
January 5, 1942, Evanston, Illinois

References

References
1 Northwestern won, 49-38

A Young Man Went Off to War