.MTM3NA.MTE2ODY5

[badly stained page with holes]

[letterhead] 140 NORTH DEARBORN STREET CHICAGO

[ date added in pencil] around 1920

Oct. 16th Dear Mary

 What in the devil is the reason I havent written sooner.  I dont know.  I was always intending to but you know about good intentions   It was fine to see you again after so many     [?years?]   I enjoyed every minute of the time [?hole in paper] able to [?hole in paper]  and was sorry that [? fold and holes in paper]  It does seem as if you should [?] oftener and I am not the only one in Chicago who thinks so.  Gussie was complaining because you didn't see her when you passed through on your way home & of course the Johannsens are always crying for you.  Well life is very strange.  here you are a long way from most of your old time friends & the fates never seem to care any thing about the [?] or feelings of men, they just throw us around without reason or purpose   Still some talk of the goodness of god.  Joe tells me you & him are both talking  of going to N.Y. or here or somewhere in the world.  Why dont you?  I am sure this is the best place the city is dirty & brutal & crass, but it is fairly [?fine?]