Letters Part 4
In the remaining letters, Phyllis is writing from Jacksonville, Florida to her father, Henry, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. There are also letters written between Pauline, who is still in Florida, and Henry.
June 23rd, 1941
Sunday Night
Honey Dear,
We've been so over come with Phyllis living here with us we could scarcely settle down to write but she sure arrived O.K. and she and I had to weep for joy. She saw Don soon cause she said he was way taller than anyone. About the time I spied her I'd scarcely known her. She looks browner than we do and looks like you took good care of her and she had enough to eat. Well it was certainly thrilling meeting her. The train was about 20 minutes late. I was afraid she might have come one the other one and somehow we'd missed her but we were in there twice for that one but it came in and went and we didn't see it but I think they called it out. We were at the gates and couldn't have missed her because the crowd wasn't that big. Although there were plenty around but not like it would have been at one time. I think in the winter traffic would be much greater. Phyllis said the seats in her coach were all filled.
We are in the living room now. Phyllis, Don, Bobby Willey, Mrs. are playing and singing some. Betty sang too. She finally ended with Napoleon's Last Charge not having William Dell for Don.
Phyllis and I went over to the Wearby Presbyterian Church (1). We were glad we managed to go and Phyllis was quite interested. The minister said if we stayed here awhile Phyllis should be sure to come over to Sunday school. She should look for him and he would see that she was taken care of.
Monday Morn.
I'll finish this now . Pop, is it swell here. Everythings so perfect. No work, nice house, and town. I know you'd love it. Please come down. I'm glad I came.
Hope you sent Aunt E. [illegible]!
There's a fine swimming pool right around here for a dime. Mother and I are going window shopping so I'll close.
With much love,
Phyllis and Pauline
P.s. Mother may cash a check for $5. Don't know when we are coming home.
P.S.S. Don doesn't like my driving. Ha. But I drive this one better than the other.
1)What is now called the First Presbyterian Church is closest to their location (Laura St, Jacksonville, Florida) and must be the church she is referring to.
June 25th, 1941
Wednesday June 25th 41
3:00 PM
Dear Phyllis,
Just was up to the house and found your letter there waiting, so while I have a few minutes I will start an answer to you.
Today the S.S. is having their picnic so I am taking Grandma, Mr. Houston + Miss Schuler. (Mrs. Shuler didn't go.)
Edythe's Bureau went this week. The called for it Monday. I gave Kevin the key to get in the house. Monday afternoon it rained very hard and the ground got a good soaking so everything is growing at the bungalow. I was out there last night to work on the dam. But Ed + J couldn't do much as Ed had run it full of water Monday night so the cement was all soaked and the tar would not stick. I expect to take a run over this afternoon from Prices and a little at it then.
Ed said he expected to get out about 2:00 PM (he is on day shift) so he will work also + maybe we will have it ready for the water. We will have it water tight at the bottom of the wood sills + then the water will stay in clean to the top. (As you know Grandma + Grandpa Hess are in N.Y. + Ed + his family will be at the bungalow this week + mary + Peeps + Jack will be there next week)
Thurs AM
Will write a few lines to finish this so it goes in the mail this am. Well, we were to the picnic. Grandma enjoyed it. They had the usual children's contests. I was over to the bungalow yesterday pm for about a half hour. Ed had the pool about finish but he ran out of tar. I had a can along so I did a little more and Ed said he would finish the job. I think we have a better job this year than any. I expect there to be very little leakage in the pool.
Hope your driving improves so much you can take your test when you get back.
Enjoyed reading your letter very much and am glad to hear you are pleased with everything.
So Donald still working? Tell him not to forget to have water put in the battery every 2 weeks.
Well I must go no as there are a few customers around.
With lots of love,
Your Dad.
June 26th, 1941
Hazleton, PA
June 26, 1941
My Dear Pauline,
Just received your letter written yesterday or rather finished (Wed am).
I will not try to answer anything in it now as I will have to get the [reclosed] M.O. $10.00 made out before 5:00 o'clock. I will write you a letter tonight.
With love,
Henry
June 26th, 1941
Thursday June 26th 1941
7:15 PM
My Dearest Pauline,
Well, this is the 3rd letter to you today and I hope is is the last. I just finished my supper and I am all set to write. I got off the MO for $10.00 and sent it air mail special delivery so it should reach you by Saturday AM sometime.
Your letter was interesting and quite long so i don't know if I will be able to answer everything. First I want to tell you to tell Phyllis I have worn my slacks suit several times and it is very comfortable in this warm weather. I wore it to the picnic yesterday.
I hardly know what to write you about coming home the beginning of next week. It seems a pity to have Phyllis' trip cut short. Since she is enjoying herself so much.
I just read your part of the letter about your finances which you state is down to $8.50 + still need some groceries. So instead of mailing this letter tonight I am going to hold it over until tomorrow morning + I will send another money order for as much as I can spare and then you can decide how long you will be able to stay.
You will have to allow yourself enough to get home with, which I think I hardly need mentioned.
I will also let enough money in the bank to cover a check for $5.00 if you decide to cash one for that amount. If you decide to stay another week I can send you more later. I doubt if I could get Don's money from the bank, but I would not want to withdraw that even if I could so I will not make the attempt. (I probably would have to have Don's signature) It would depend on what names it is deposited.
Well, so much for that. I told Kitty I might be out tonight but Ed did not stop for me. She called about 4:30 and wanted to know if I was coming. She said Ed + Jack had gone down to [Rumoldi's]. There was water in the pool but the boys said it was too cold. I suppose they ran the water in today but it didn't have time to warm up. The creek is quite high from the rain on Monday PM (1).
I haven't been able to do much at home as yet. The ashes have to be taken out. I have enough chicken feed (2)in the cash box to pay for that job. I hope. Haven't seen Peeps or Mary this week.
Business slowed up this week some but our trucks are going most of the time. We have prospects of selling lumber to two houses as soon as the foundations are in. Then we have a order for doors and finish lumber for a single house as soon as it is plastered. Maybe we will haul some to this job tomorrow.
I guess this is about all so I will sign off until tomorrow. Nity-nite.
Friday AM
Well, here it is (3). Hope you all have a good time. I will look for mail, but am counting on you not leaving until at least Tuesday - so will write everyday.
With love,
Henry.
P.S. Was in bed at 9:30 PM last evening. -H
1)They must have filled the pool with creek water.
2) "Chicken feed" is slang for a small amount of money (Dictionary.com)
3) He is referring to the money mentioned earlier in the letter.
June 26th, 1941
Thurs Night
Hello Popsickle,
Nice counting on leaving early Monday morning. Don thinks he would like to be home for the 4th and maybe we should leave Sunday. He wanted to leave Sat. but it is rather hard to make up our minds and get ready so suddenly besides we don't have the money.
I tho't you could send us a Money Order - air mail, S,D, but if it came Sunday it wouldn't be much good. It isn't so easy to get a Money Order canceled so I think you will have to telegraph it. And [just] wondering if it will cost very much extra but maybe not. Here's hoping.
You will get this Sat. A.M. I hope and it isn't giving you much time but if we don't get off Mon. it won't be a crime exactly but we tho't maybe Laura + Bill would be going up for the 4th and some of us could go with them. They would or might be leaving during the day on Thurs. so we'd have to get there maybe by noon.
It has rained everyday since Phyllis came but we managed to go to the beach yesterday and we all had a grand time. Bobby Wilsey went along too. Phyllis drove all the way after we got out of the city and did very well. She only had to stop about twice, once for a draw bridge. It started to rain before we left Jacksonville and rained most of the way down, sometimes real heard. Don made Phyllis keep the speed at 30 miles so everything went fine. If we would have been here longer she could have taken her test here. It would probably be easier than taking it up there and I think the license is only 50 cents.
Don and Bobby went up to the airport. I wanted them to take this but they couldn't wait.
Bobby + I went on a streamlined beach train (1) Sort of a toy affair but cute and lots of dun. The other two followed behind in the car. It was really on auto wheels and tires and run by gasoline. We went possibly two miles, 10 cents for Bobby and 15 cents for me.
We want to buy a thermos jug if at all possible to take on our way home. We may fill it first with fruit juice. We can get one for $1.98 but don't think for any less. Some are more.
I did some washing today and have quite a lot of ironing tomorrow.
Friday AM
Paper says thunderstorms again today. Well, we can spend the day packing and getting the big suitcase ready to send. We may have to send a box with some things.
Wish we were bringing everyone a little present at least but no can do.
We want to come home but yet we hate to leave. This surly was a good place to stay (the house I mean)
We may decide to send a telegram when we are leaving so don't be alarmed. Don expects to tie the bike on the side of the car. OK? Mrs. McMahou tho't the doors should be free so we could get out in case of an accident.. She tho't it should be put on the roof and would give us a blanket but Don says we can't do that so I guess we'll figure it out. I think we should get some more opinions anyway.
Mrs. W. is going to mail this. Hope I didn't forget anything important.
Love from your lambs
PH Shuab
Or should I say the black sheeps?
P.S. There's a chance you may have sent money before you receive this so maybe we should send you a wire then. Maybe collect (3).
PHS
1) This was a highspeed train ("Streamline Moderne")
Comments
Post a Comment