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"Don't breathe a word..." Letter home. Feb. 21, 1911


 

[Headlines from The New York Times (page 1, above the fold) to place the letters in context of the world around them.]

M'KIM AGREES NOT TO SUE VANDERBILT

Accepts Lump Sum and Annuity to Refrain from Litigation as Result of Wife's Divorce.

The report that the daughter of Dr. Isaac E. Emerson of Baltimore, who recently obtained a divorce from her husband, Dr. Smith Hollins McKim, is to marry Alfred G. Vanderbilt was revived last night when the terms of an agreement signed on Monday at the Broadway office of A. Hershfield of the law firm of Hayes, Hirshfield Wolf became known.

SCANDAL OVER WARSHIP ARMOR

Cracks Patched, Turret Tracks Warped, and Blowholes Are Plugged, It Is Charged.

 

The Osborne Company


Osborne company calendars


Utica, NY.


Feb 21, 1911.


My Darling Sue


Your loving letter was received on time tonight and I was very glad to get it. I reached the city at 6:30 and found Mr. Skinner here waiting for me. I hope you will be glad to know that so far as Mr. Skinner and I are concerned, the deal is settled. He goes home in the morning and has a talk with Mr. Kirby and if he is agreeable to the change they will phone me Friday night and I will go to Cooperstown Saturday to make the change and draw up the papers. He thinks that Mr. Kirby will not want to take over the whole business and will have no objection to me as a partner. It is all in Mr. Kirby's hands to do as he sees best. Mr. Skinner asks as a bonus the profits for the whole year, that is up to August 18th and I can take over the business at once.



will stay on the job and help out until I can get located. It looks like a big deal but have thought it over carefully and believe it is safe and a sane thing to do. We are anxious to be united again and I think that an opportunity of this kind does not offer itself every day. They make just about $3000 each year. That's a fine business! The more I see of Mr. Skinner, the better I like him. He seems like a perfectly fair square fellow. As far as the 8% is concerned that doesn't bother me. I would not be making such of a sacrifice for I can make as much a [xxx] over there the last six months than I could here. If everything develops as he thinks we can begin very soon again to dispose of our home and make plans for moving.


Mr. Skinner will go on with the business until I can get on the ground. He feels certain that there’ll be no hitch. It takes my breath away at times, but we, you and I, are good for it. How fine it will be not to have to pike out from home every Monday. If I felt sure I could make good I would be overjoyed with the prospect. I hope you will be pleased. Glad to get your letter. You have always been a great half and you will be this time.


Better destroy this letter as soon as you get it. Don't breathe a word to anyone until all is absolutely settled and tied up tight. Will probably be here tomorrow and Thursday. Send a letter. May run down home for Friday night’s meeting.


Love [xxx]


John

 



Editor's notes


Two months after John attended The Osborne Company's annual conference he has decided to quit being a travelling salesman, sell the house in Earlville, buy into a coal and grain store partnership and move to Cooperstown, a lovely village about 40 miles away...but only if Mr. Kirby accepts the deal to be his new partner. Stay tuned...

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