(1945)
Dear San,
A few weeks ago Laura asked me in a letter if I would like to write to one of her friends. I said I would so she sent me your address and now I am writing.
Since you know little or nothing about me I might as well give you the whole auto-biography.
My full name is Frank Herbert Martin. I live at 5-4 E. Grove Ave. in the fair village of Rautoul Illinois. I was born August 23, 1930 and I am now fifteen. I lead a very happy life, that is up to a certain point. As for my looks, well I never have any pictures taken because it would undoubtedly break the camera. I am going steady with a little redhead named Marjorie Herbert. Well so much for the boring lecture about myself.
I’ll be glad when it gets warm enough to swim again and I’ll be glad when school’s out.
I supposed you don’t have much trouble with the climate in regard to swimming down there do you?
Last summer I worked on a friend’s farm for a while and then I went to camp for four weeks. After that I went on a canoe trip in Northern Wisconsin. I am a Sophomore. in high school (heaven knows now I got there) and I take Latin II, Eng II, Plane Geom, and Biology. We really have a tough teacher in Geom as Laura can tell you.
I have many nicknames and the most common is Cherokee. Don’t get the idea that I am half Indian from that nam. As for outside activities I go out for all the sports. I love to swim, ice-skate, and play tennis. Those are mostly side attractions for my main sport is tiddlywinks.
I play the piano, cornet, baritone, and last but by far not least the Jews harp.
I am six feet tall, weight 170 lbs, I have dark brown hair and brown eyes and am fairly dark complected.
Next year, when we will able to get a new car we plan to go west for a vacation.
Well since I don’t know you I could find little to talk about except myself but if you care to write back we can remedy that.
It’s getting past Papa’s bedtime so I had better quit.
Sure hope you can read my writing. You have all my sympathy.
Please write back soon and send me a picture of yourself.
Be seeing you,
Frank
I’d hoped to be able to pass this letter along to Frank’s children or grandchildren. Sadly, he died a few years after writing this.