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SPECIAL DELIVERY
Philadelphia
Morninglight
January 10th
Came this week
Dear girls:-
I have so much writing all the time I am going to let one letter answer for both this time. I'm sending “Mary Ann” a card so my letter will not give her to great a shock, I'd like to write each of you a letter every week. But “honest injun” I write letters till seems so as if I’d have ink on the brain. I've just finished separate letters to each of my sisters besides Marion's card, and there are several others waiting. Please don't think I am as blue as this paper suggests [the paper for this letter is baby blue color]. It was given me for Christmas and something about it gives me “razzle dazzle” to write on it.(“That is gratitude”)
I expect you both hear from Aunt Lil, Uncle Vic is better and working, Aunt Lill ws entertaining her fourth cold since arv in Washington. Nothing like going south for the Winter for your health.
We were at Morrisville for a little time yesterday. Uncle John [Broad] seems better. Tho’ we have a little snow the State road was fine. Some excitement at the quiet little burg of Bouckville. When we arrived, every stand on the bridge and near by, seems two men and two women from New Berlin riding in a new Ford, going to into B from Hamilton, some way lost control of the machine before driver could make the turn went thro that strong fence or rail into the water and of course folks were underneath the car, but soon rescued, the driver badly hurt and others some one of the women not as bad, all were being cared for at hotel. We saw the men and large black team drag the Ford out of water and up the steep bank it was smashed all to
pieces one wheel off. Well 'nuff of this.
Ralph was delighted with his box of candy and thanks you all. Say did you girls call or did I have a dream? I sure felt sorry not to have seen or heard more of you, but you know I was to blame. I was obliged to be polite a
nd listen to your Mother's address. Well come again, what a time you girls must have had driving vacation especially exchanging experiences etc. and Marion asking questions and so interested and eager to hear and know all about dear old Syracuse. Expect you are both very busy and Marion does teaching come easier this term?
Elizabeth, it sure makes me disgusted when I think of those, it must be lying around nice time to have gotten in such shape.
Do you girls remember the bulbs in the dish of water in our bay window that day you were up? Well they are in bloom, so sweet and white. I took some of them to Uncle John yesterday.
Ralph is very much interested in church and S.S. Prof. Barford one of the finest men is his teacher. They started with Ralph the only scholar. Now there are just one dozen. Ralph is vice-President, the class is divided R’s side won the last quarter and the losers give them a banquet Thursday Eve. I’m going to invite the class up here some eve before long. R. is very fond of games so most of my evenings are spent playing games with him.
How often I wish we were situated so you girls could come with a bunch of your friends for a six o’clock dinner and the eve,
Via I’ve a new key, pick and music for the zither and intended to let you people take it home that day and tune it. Uncle Frank enjoyed the birthday song thot it was very cute, it was certainly sweet and dear of you, but I was so disgusted. I never thought of our freezer of ice cream (Maple) until you had gone, and most of all that I didn't insist that your Mother have a bite or something hot to drink, but she took all my time and attention.
Uncle Frank has made the little room upstairs trifle larger and just finished papering it, looks quite stunning for farmers.
There was a most wonderful sunset so guess we are booked for nice day tomorrow. The sky was beautiful last night. Have you seen that one large, wonderful star? I often watch it from our West bedroom window.
I've hustled this fearing it would be dark before I finished.
Perhaps you have forgotten, Elizabeth? I said Jesse Harris is in Witherill’s kerchief counter last I knew. Be sure and go in and inquire and talk with her, she is a fine girl. I am very fond of her.
Always glad to hear from you. But don't think you must write. I know you are busy and remember I'd like to write more often.
Love to both.
“Aunt Bess”
Editor's notes
Note This letter was found in the same envelope as the letter from John to Sue dated January 16th. I assume Sue sent it on to John and he read it and sent it back home. Aunt Bess is Sue's sister, Elizabeth, married to Frank Tooke. I believe the "Frank" John references as being a new salesman for The Osborne Company is his brother Frank Briggs. However, it may be his brother-in-law Frank Tooke. There is a letter from Frank I will be transcribing this week so there may be some clues there. These letters are a mystery!
Today we publish the 100th letter I've transcribed from the hundreds of letters my brother saved in a bin in his garage for many years. We've dipped into the 1920s with the older girls off to college and careers, John and Sue still madly in love after over a decade of marriage. John has tried and failed to get out of the travelling salesman business. A small depression is upon the family, and country, but they don't know it yet. In the next year Betty will fall in love– and perhaps Marion (she marries in 1923), Frank will decide on college and John and Sue will make some decisions about their farm and home. I cant wait to open the next letter. Join me! And if you love the chance to peek in on this family for 3 minutes a day, please help me spread the word and invite a friend to join us!
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