British Interests Bargain for Russian Oil, Betting Bolsheviki Fall Within 10 Years
PARIS, Feb. 10.—The Shell and Royal Dutch oil interests are reported on good authority to have concluded a rather remarkable political-commercial bargain which amounts to betting that the Bolshevist regime in Russia will fall within ten years.
The Kirkwood
Geneva, N. Y.
G.M. Stilwell, Mgr.
Geneva, N. Y. Feb 11, 1921
My Darling
When I looked out of my room this morning there was some snow. How was it at home? It has been at it most all day and I should say there’s about a foot.
I worked here until 10:30 this morning without an order. At 10;30 I took a bus for Rushville. We were supposed to get there at 11:45 but it was about 1:30. The snow made it hard going for Mr. Ford and at one point five of us got out and pushed which helped quite a bit. I got an order from the bank in this little town for $288 and then had a good visit with Mr. and Mrs. Fitch in their fine home. He had a hard cold so was keeping inside for the day. He gave me an order for Dear Old Homeland for $130.25. They are fine folks and I guess this is as old as the cocoa story. He tells me that we made a serious mistake in not having a good stiff forfeiture in our contract. He says that if my party doesn’t show up March 1st with the coin and take the farm the only thing we can do is to sue him and leave it to a jury to decide what the damage is, and it would be hard to get a very big damage sum on the deal. I’m half inclined to think that’s the fact. I shall be uneasy to know how things are coming on. He said he wanted to draw up some wood. If he intends to take farm he’ll be at that now with the good sleighing.
I expected to have to stay in Rushville overnight but I got a chance to ride with a bread car to Canandaigua and caught train back here where I found your love letter. That was rich on the trip to Syracuse. You’ll have to look for a house, and where I don’t know.
Will go to Penn Yan in the morning and may not get out of there until Monday. But follow list as I am sending it unless I tell you different. Don’t lose this list!
Must get to bed. It’s too bad not to see Rob’s folks but I don’t want to visit this trip. Hope you’ll have a good day Sunday. I’ll be lonesome.
Your affectionate,
Jack
Editor's notes
I note the New York Times headline on this date that has a striking parallel to events today. The oil companies certainly mis-calculated the staying power of the Bolsheviks.
John has decided to sell the farm. It is becoming clear that the buyer, although under contract, is giving indications he will not actually come through for the sale. It also appears the Briggs are considering a move to Syracuse after the sale of the farm. Had they done that, I, and several of my relatives wouldn’t be here as my parents met in high school in Earlville.
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John has excellent handwriting. However, in some instances, I cant decipher it. If I can't, I simply mark the spot with "xxx"s to signify thank the word isn't decipherable.
Check out our article in the New York Times!
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