August 4th, 1926
Dearest Suze,Forthwith, I should like to apologize for my lengthy delay
in responding to your most gratefully received last correspondence. I will
gladly offer my blameworthiness; though, it is, at times, quite the challenge
to both receive and post letters as far out as we are now. I will echo, even so,
that your writing does, quite undeniably, bring much cheer and warmth, and I
thank you dearly for such correspondence.
The West is a breathtaking scape, with rivers moving sweet, ice-cold waters and
porcelain-topped mountains cradling mammoth valleys that all seem to traverse
into distances far from even imagined reaches. There is game a'plenty, and I
even stood witness to my first ever viewing of a heard of buffalo! Why, there's
even wild mustang spoken of, though these I have yet to observe.
In the eve, when tools are rested and all men are still, we sit 'round burning
pine logs and eat sturdy meals and drink coffee. We're fed rather well; and
after, we drink small rations of barrel whiskey like pioneers or dusty wild
west cowboys!
A windless, late summer air has settled over our camp for the past many days,
and the nights are thick and humid. I've forgone my shared tent and cot and
have taken to fashioning a bedroll near one of the fires, along with several
other fellows. We talk long into the darkness, staring into the stars, each
sharing anecdotes or recollections of their homes and families.
It is with shame, but I must admit: I feel as if I have near forgotten the
shape of your face and hands; yet, the scent of your neck and hair remains sharp
and brilliant! It is odd, no? How the mind retains these such remembrances?
Oh, I do hope this letter will find you in good health and fanciful spirits. I
pray that fortune finds you and your family and that all are in health and strong
profession with the harvest seasons nearing and Fall forthcoming. I shall return
in time to help with apples and fire wood, after the maples shake their leaves;
and, my shadow shall fall upon your doorstep before the first snows.
With the greatest of admiration,
--O. Talbot
Post Script: As always, do say hello and please past my regards to May-Cay.
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