August 25th, 1922

Basel Switzerland

August 25th 1922

Mr. M. John Bunnell.

Dear 23 year old scrub :- About 23 years ago, on the 19th of September if I remember right, there was one of the spirits of the spirit world had the chance to enter the body of one of the ugliest little rascals that ever came to earth and they named him Merrill John Bunnell. You see it is quite a long time back, and i can't remember him extra well, only how ugly, and how mean he was at first. But the funny part of it was, the spirit was pretty good, really a fine looking chap, and you know an ugly and a pretty person cannot get along together, and being that this particular spirit was so pretty, and so strong when he looked on the ugly body he had entered, he decided he had some real hard work, to make his mate (the body) a better looker. And you know, I remember it so well, the spirit worked so hard with the body that he had to line in, that at last he made a fine looking young mad out of him. And he still gets prettier from day to day and the spirit still works so hard with him, and made him such a pretty looker, that the President of the Alpine Stake of Zion's daughter admired the boy. At first, the (body) thought oh I am too ugly, and not far enough along in life, to step out with such classy gems. The spirit pushed him forward again, and said, don't be so little, get ahead with the others, and show them you are something, and don't always think you are just a little behind the other fellow. So it went on until the spirit made a date for him, because he did not dare to do it himself. He took the hint this time, and he began to show really waht he was, and before long, he was way, way, up in life, and was well thought of by everybody and he keeps getting prettier and better all the time. Well it went on so for a while, and the body got disgusted again, and thought he should not go to A. F. anymore. But you know the last I saw was that that little spirit gave M.J. another inspiration, and the last I saw was that little old ford of L.L. Bunnell's (with M.J. ) going north so fast, I thought the wheels would all come off. I noticed at the same time, that the gas feed was pulled down so far it was almost bent double. The fellow that sit in the Ford had a smile on his face a yard long. I would sure liket o have a picture of the pretty fellow now and compare it with someone else who had at first a pretty body and an ugly spirit and where the spirit had overcome the body and won it over.

Well Merrill, I hope you many happy returns for September 19th and hope that all is well with you at present, and will always remain so. I would like to be there to give you 23 spats but instead I will give you 23 oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo then we'll give you the spats when I get home.

Last monday August 21st I got three letters. One from Lamond, one from Irwin, and one from Momma and Papa. I was certainly glad to hear from you all again. TEll Irwin that he shouldn't get sick like that again; it isn't healthy for him. How did the hay come out? Was it spoiled bad or not? I heard that they have had a terrible storm in America, but I never see a newspaper, and never know, but very little about conditions there just what you write me in the letters. I haven't taken many pictures to send. I will have another bunch now soon. It costs so much to geth the work done here, and also there isn't much to take. I have tried several timesto take pictures of some old buildings and things, but everytime I try it the police get after me and won't let me, and I won't buy post cards, just to spite them. Say I would be very much pleased if you would take a picture of all the grain stacks and send me when you have them ready. Please send also one of the house, and when there is anything else of importance. Say, Irwin, take an old man's advice, and if it is possible get a little more schooling. Don't be such a dumb donkey as I am. I wish I had studied harder when I did go. Please give Aunt Litty, and the family my best regards.

Say, if it isn't too much bother for you, I wish once and a while you would nap up some of the Provo papers and send me. You can send them quite cheap. I would like to know some of the conditions there.

Another thing, I wish that you would inquire in some of the optical stores how much you must pay for the "Carl Zeiss" field glass No. 16x40. Lots of them will probably tell you they don't make such a large glass. They will probably say the best is 8x30, but tell them you know different the 16x40 is an extra large glass. Then please write and tell me how much they are - please. But don't tell them anything about this pair that I have, because they might get sore, and might make trouble for me to get them over.

Today, there is about 2000 marks forone dollar, compared with 1200 for a week ago, conditions don't look so extra good. The Austrian kronen is now worthless. 1,000,000 Rubels (Russia) for 50 cents. If you want to be a millionaire easy, buy 50 cents worth of Russian Rubels. By the way, when you send me money from now on, I wish you would send it in dollar's not francs. Probably you will have to tell them at the Church office, because they do it. The reason is, I believe the Swiss money will also go down some, and if it does, I don't like to have so much changed into franc's at once because then I lose so much money on it. At present there is about 5 francs 25 sonteens to one dollar. When I came over it was a little less than five francs. Well I am tired of writing at present so I will do something else for a while, and ship this off probably tomorrow. I must go have supper yet, and then afterwards go to visit a friend. There is never resting hours for a missionary, they are always busy.