Dearest Ellen,
Your fine letter came this morning and I was very glad to get it. The more you write the better but I suppose that could go for me too.
Today has been a funny day - windy and rainy all day long. We wouldn't much more get started working and a rain would come up making us hike for cover. Then as soon as it would stop we'd go back to work. I've been hoeing with the men in the fields these past two days. I didn't have a plan to work on so Uncle Jim decided that fighting weeds was the most important. I'm a pretty expensive man to have on a hoe but work is work. I'm not used to such hard work and last night I was pretty tired.
Well tomorrow we are going to Indianapolis. We didn't get the job to keep me here so I suppose I will be home for a while. Dad needs me pretty badly at home and that is the place I should be. Uncle Jim needs someone, too, but right now I think my place is at home. We have to get ready to send the kids to school too and that means some cash in a hurry. Mother and Dad have had a spat with Grandma over some trivial things so I don't suppose she will be up there again this year. Mother doesn't think she wants the same arrangement as last year but maybe by the time school is ready to start things will be straightened out. Uncle Quincy said to keep the girls out of school because Laura May only got one year and that was enough. I'll bet that nearly made Mother boil. She asked Dad what he thought and he said if we could they will be back in school. If he was able to keep both Les and me in school alone the three of us together ought to be able to keep three of them going.
Well tonight I have another date. Jean thought that since I'm going away tomorrow we ought to go out tonight so she called up Flo and asked her to go with us or me. We are going to a show and then???
I'm sorry I don't have any time to write more now. Bill is ready to take us so I will close. The next you hear from me will be from Indianapolis.
All my love,
Larry
Sunday, December 26, 2010
August 7, 1939
Dearest Ellen,
I feel like a heel, honey because I didn't write you a letter to arrive Sat., but I just couldn't find time or get in the proper mood to write. I hope you will forgive me and I promise I will try to do better.
I'm still at Kankakee and probably will be here until Wednesday as I know now. Uncle Jim is trying to get a couple lawn to fix and if he does I may stay and work on them for more than a week. So far we haven't really closed the deal on any of the plans I have drawn but we have hopes. As yet we haven't really had a refusal which makes us feel better. We have present three of them and ought to hear from one before the next week is over. One has postponed theirs for two weeks and the third is just uncertain because of cost.
I haven't heard from home yet so I don't know how things are going down there. I got both your fine letters Wednesday. They both came in the same mail. One was postmarked 8 P.M. in Milwaukee. I'll bet you carried it and forgot to mail it until you got there. The other was marked 11:30 P.M. in Madison. It certain made me feel swell to get your letters. I'm sorry you strained your shoulder in carrying that heavy grip. Too bad you couldn't have checked it or something so you wouldn't have had to carry it. I hope it gets well quickly. I'll bet your mother was glad to see you when you arrived after being gone so long.
We've had a swell time this week and only, honey, I wished you were here. I had a date, surprised? There was another dance at the Country Club like when you were here. Jean wanted to show me a good time so she invited a friend who went to school at Grinnell with her. Her name was Jean Hill and I'll bet you will be surprised at this - she lives at Glen Ellyn, Ill. Jean called her up on the telephone Friday afternoon and she came Saturday aft. She was good looking or should I say beautiful. She had really black hair, not quite as tall as you, and had pretty eyes but I didn't notice what color. And could she dance!! I tried all my steps and she followed swell just like you - only your better. We had a swell time. They had a Monte Carlo night with roulette and everything. We bought play money and bet with it. We won for a while but finally lost it all. The crowd was nearly as large and the orchestra was the same. After the dance, they served a buffet supper of escalloped chicken and all the trimmings. We didn't get home till after
2. :)
This morning we all got up early and went to church with Jean. Afterwards, breakfast, and then we all went to play tennis. Jean Hill is a good player, she has played since she was small and plays nearly every afternoon -- but I could beat her. Bill and I teamed up against the two Jeans and had a real battle. We finally won the first set after a struggle and then won the second in a love set. Next Mike and Jean H. played against me and a friend of Mike's called Sterling. It was certainly a close set with Sterling and me winning 8-6. It was a close match all the way with luck on our side.
We had a swell dinner here, one of Aunt Grace's swell dinners, and then went boating. The canoe was being used so we took the motorboat and then got the canoe and rode home. Jean left for home at 6 o'clock. Her folks drove down to get her. All and all its been a swell time. Now Bill and Jean are on the porch reading Francis Bacon and his philosophy --. Aunt Grace and Uncle Jim have gone to town and I'm -- well, I'm thinking of the swellest person alive -- who lives so far away. Would you like to know her name? -- its Ellen Glenn. -- Ellen Glenn -- Glen Ellyn?? -- Well I prefer Ellen Glenn. How would you like to spell your name Ellyn?? Not near so nice, eh! I prefer just Ellen Glenn. A very pretty name and goes with the prettyest, nicest, swellest girl I know.
All my love,
Larry
I feel like a heel, honey because I didn't write you a letter to arrive Sat., but I just couldn't find time or get in the proper mood to write. I hope you will forgive me and I promise I will try to do better.
I'm still at Kankakee and probably will be here until Wednesday as I know now. Uncle Jim is trying to get a couple lawn to fix and if he does I may stay and work on them for more than a week. So far we haven't really closed the deal on any of the plans I have drawn but we have hopes. As yet we haven't really had a refusal which makes us feel better. We have present three of them and ought to hear from one before the next week is over. One has postponed theirs for two weeks and the third is just uncertain because of cost.
I haven't heard from home yet so I don't know how things are going down there. I got both your fine letters Wednesday. They both came in the same mail. One was postmarked 8 P.M. in Milwaukee. I'll bet you carried it and forgot to mail it until you got there. The other was marked 11:30 P.M. in Madison. It certain made me feel swell to get your letters. I'm sorry you strained your shoulder in carrying that heavy grip. Too bad you couldn't have checked it or something so you wouldn't have had to carry it. I hope it gets well quickly. I'll bet your mother was glad to see you when you arrived after being gone so long.
We've had a swell time this week and only, honey, I wished you were here. I had a date, surprised? There was another dance at the Country Club like when you were here. Jean wanted to show me a good time so she invited a friend who went to school at Grinnell with her. Her name was Jean Hill and I'll bet you will be surprised at this - she lives at Glen Ellyn, Ill. Jean called her up on the telephone Friday afternoon and she came Saturday aft. She was good looking or should I say beautiful. She had really black hair, not quite as tall as you, and had pretty eyes but I didn't notice what color. And could she dance!! I tried all my steps and she followed swell just like you - only your better. We had a swell time. They had a Monte Carlo night with roulette and everything. We bought play money and bet with it. We won for a while but finally lost it all. The crowd was nearly as large and the orchestra was the same. After the dance, they served a buffet supper of escalloped chicken and all the trimmings. We didn't get home till after
2. :)
This morning we all got up early and went to church with Jean. Afterwards, breakfast, and then we all went to play tennis. Jean Hill is a good player, she has played since she was small and plays nearly every afternoon -- but I could beat her. Bill and I teamed up against the two Jeans and had a real battle. We finally won the first set after a struggle and then won the second in a love set. Next Mike and Jean H. played against me and a friend of Mike's called Sterling. It was certainly a close set with Sterling and me winning 8-6. It was a close match all the way with luck on our side.
We had a swell dinner here, one of Aunt Grace's swell dinners, and then went boating. The canoe was being used so we took the motorboat and then got the canoe and rode home. Jean left for home at 6 o'clock. Her folks drove down to get her. All and all its been a swell time. Now Bill and Jean are on the porch reading Francis Bacon and his philosophy --. Aunt Grace and Uncle Jim have gone to town and I'm -- well, I'm thinking of the swellest person alive -- who lives so far away. Would you like to know her name? -- its Ellen Glenn. -- Ellen Glenn -- Glen Ellyn?? -- Well I prefer Ellen Glenn. How would you like to spell your name Ellyn?? Not near so nice, eh! I prefer just Ellen Glenn. A very pretty name and goes with the prettyest, nicest, swellest girl I know.
All my love,
Larry
August 6, 1939
Dearest Larry,
I'm sorry I couldn't answer your letter sooner, but I've been down with summer flu. Some fun! I guess I had it the second day I was home here but I didn't have a fever till the next day.
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, - after leaving you I proceeded to get five hours sleep Monday night and three hours Tuesday night, and after what I'd lost before, I guess that was too much. I'll learn!
I was so glad to get your letter, but I guess it made me both happy and sad, - made me realize how much I miss you. Your describing that "lost" feeling is just what I felt as I rode away from you on that train. I thought you would wave again but when I looked out my window I saw you headed back for the car. The reason I passed out of sight was because I had to go almost to the front of that coach before I found a seat that was empty. Didn't you get my letter telling you that that train you put me on wasn't so bad after all? It was an express and air-conditioned, so it was cool and clean.
No, Larry, I can't imagine a coke getting you down. Although I can imagine two cokes making it hard to go to sleep. (For some people, but not you.) Outside of that I hope you've been well. I hope you had a good time at the dance last night. I thought of you and wondered if it was a good dance and good orchestra. Of course I don't mind. Wouldn't I be a dog-in-the-manger if I did? You need recreation and so do I and I think it's nice of Jean to fix things so you'll get it. She really sees to it that people have a good time, doesn't she? She was very nice to me, too, and I appreciated it.
I turned your picture face-down thinking it would help to get my thoughts off you and down to business, but I didn't like that either, so I had to turn it back up again. I guess you are in my thoughts no matter what I do.
I saw Prof. Barr when I first came home and he assured me he will be here three weeks longer and I can take that exam any time, - so I guess I worried for nothing.
I find that even those with Master's degrees aren't getting teaching jobs as usual, - I'm getting discouraged but I haven't given up yet.
I hope your plan sells. I don't see how it can fail to, especially if you give them one of your best smiles and some of that personality. (No foolin')
Three gorgeous long, black Cadillacs just went by, full of people, one right after the other. Cheap stuff!
When are you going back to Indianapolis? Do you know any more about what you want to do? You know I'll be interested in hearing.
Even though I've been sick I look so much better and healthier than when I was with you because I've been getting a lot of sleep. Mother has been remarking about it and says "I told you so" because she has always tried to convince me that it's a good idea to get to bed early and get sleep, etc. and I've always liked to sit up. Twice I've gone to bed about nine and slept till seven the next morning. Pretty good, don't you think. I almost have to get sick to not mind going to bed early though.
Even though the job situation isn't too bright and some other things are not too good I find myself feeling so cheerful and happy that it's positively demoralizing. I can't imagine why, - can you? I think we have a lot to be thankful for, Larry, even though everything isn't smooth sailing. I wouldn't change places with anyone I know, and that's saying a lot, but I mean it.
You are right, we shouldn't feel sad about being separated, just realize that it won't be for long. Remember that.
All my love,
Ellen (cont'd - next page - volume II)
Later -
Dearest Larry, I've just finished one of the most difficult tasks, - writing a letter of sympathy to Ken Prather and his family on the loss of his younger brother Bob. Words seem so meaningless and futile at a time like that. It took me an hour to find the words to say in a short note. I feel so sorry for Ken anyway, - he's another round peg in a square hole. He doesn't enjoy teaching and that's what he prepared for - went to Milwaukee Teacher's College. He may come down here and finish work for his master's degree.
S.O.S. - something is happening to the fuschia (sp?) - it started to wilt and the leaves to die about a day before I came home. Mother had been watering it faithfully but it looked all dried up. What should I do? Also, the porch box (our garden) looks well with the exception of that plant that had lice or bugs or something. You mentioned something to put on it when you were here but I've forgotten. I'm awfully inexperienced with those things, Larry, but I'll learn.
The geraniums were all in bloom and still are. And the foliage plants keep right on blooming...growing I mean. I'm afraid they'll get too heavy for their stems, - should they be pruned at the top?
I'll be waiting to hear, your letters seem to get here in a day. Hope you receive mine all right. I'm all alone and have work to do - have to end this epic.
All my love,
Ellen
I'm sorry I couldn't answer your letter sooner, but I've been down with summer flu. Some fun! I guess I had it the second day I was home here but I didn't have a fever till the next day.
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, - after leaving you I proceeded to get five hours sleep Monday night and three hours Tuesday night, and after what I'd lost before, I guess that was too much. I'll learn!
I was so glad to get your letter, but I guess it made me both happy and sad, - made me realize how much I miss you. Your describing that "lost" feeling is just what I felt as I rode away from you on that train. I thought you would wave again but when I looked out my window I saw you headed back for the car. The reason I passed out of sight was because I had to go almost to the front of that coach before I found a seat that was empty. Didn't you get my letter telling you that that train you put me on wasn't so bad after all? It was an express and air-conditioned, so it was cool and clean.
No, Larry, I can't imagine a coke getting you down. Although I can imagine two cokes making it hard to go to sleep. (For some people, but not you.) Outside of that I hope you've been well. I hope you had a good time at the dance last night. I thought of you and wondered if it was a good dance and good orchestra. Of course I don't mind. Wouldn't I be a dog-in-the-manger if I did? You need recreation and so do I and I think it's nice of Jean to fix things so you'll get it. She really sees to it that people have a good time, doesn't she? She was very nice to me, too, and I appreciated it.
I turned your picture face-down thinking it would help to get my thoughts off you and down to business, but I didn't like that either, so I had to turn it back up again. I guess you are in my thoughts no matter what I do.
I saw Prof. Barr when I first came home and he assured me he will be here three weeks longer and I can take that exam any time, - so I guess I worried for nothing.
I find that even those with Master's degrees aren't getting teaching jobs as usual, - I'm getting discouraged but I haven't given up yet.
I hope your plan sells. I don't see how it can fail to, especially if you give them one of your best smiles and some of that personality. (No foolin')
Three gorgeous long, black Cadillacs just went by, full of people, one right after the other. Cheap stuff!
When are you going back to Indianapolis? Do you know any more about what you want to do? You know I'll be interested in hearing.
Even though I've been sick I look so much better and healthier than when I was with you because I've been getting a lot of sleep. Mother has been remarking about it and says "I told you so" because she has always tried to convince me that it's a good idea to get to bed early and get sleep, etc. and I've always liked to sit up. Twice I've gone to bed about nine and slept till seven the next morning. Pretty good, don't you think. I almost have to get sick to not mind going to bed early though.
Even though the job situation isn't too bright and some other things are not too good I find myself feeling so cheerful and happy that it's positively demoralizing. I can't imagine why, - can you? I think we have a lot to be thankful for, Larry, even though everything isn't smooth sailing. I wouldn't change places with anyone I know, and that's saying a lot, but I mean it.
You are right, we shouldn't feel sad about being separated, just realize that it won't be for long. Remember that.
All my love,
Ellen (cont'd - next page - volume II)
Later -
Dearest Larry, I've just finished one of the most difficult tasks, - writing a letter of sympathy to Ken Prather and his family on the loss of his younger brother Bob. Words seem so meaningless and futile at a time like that. It took me an hour to find the words to say in a short note. I feel so sorry for Ken anyway, - he's another round peg in a square hole. He doesn't enjoy teaching and that's what he prepared for - went to Milwaukee Teacher's College. He may come down here and finish work for his master's degree.
S.O.S. - something is happening to the fuschia (sp?) - it started to wilt and the leaves to die about a day before I came home. Mother had been watering it faithfully but it looked all dried up. What should I do? Also, the porch box (our garden) looks well with the exception of that plant that had lice or bugs or something. You mentioned something to put on it when you were here but I've forgotten. I'm awfully inexperienced with those things, Larry, but I'll learn.
The geraniums were all in bloom and still are. And the foliage plants keep right on blooming...growing I mean. I'm afraid they'll get too heavy for their stems, - should they be pruned at the top?
I'll be waiting to hear, your letters seem to get here in a day. Hope you receive mine all right. I'm all alone and have work to do - have to end this epic.
All my love,
Ellen
August 3, 1939
Dearest Ellen,
It's early in the morning and I just couldn't sleep, a friend of Jean's from Grinnell came to dinner tonight and he set us up to a couple cokes. They just haven't set right so I thought I'd write you a letter.
Since you've been gone I've thought about you a lot. After you got on the train I thought I would wave again but you passed out of sight so I turned and went back to the car. All the way back to the farm I kept thinking of things we had done these past two weeks. When I got home Jean asked if I felt sad but I don't think it was a particularly sad feeling. I seemed sort of in a daze and afterwards decided it was sort of a lost feeling. As if I had lost something very valuable. Then I got to thinking I hadn't lost it merely separated for a while and then I cheered up. Since then I have tried to think of only the good times we had and that I would see you again soon.
That night Jean and I went to see the Lane sisters in "Daughter's Courageous" and it was swell. Afterwards we picked up Bill and Mike for a coke. Yesterday Jean's Aunt and Uncle came from Peoria and are staying a couple days more. We went swimming in the evening and I stayed home while Bill and Jean went canoing.
Today it rained so I started to read a book "The Yearling." This morning I did go around looking for new houses with little success. Tonight we had a swell dinner and listened to Jean's friend tell of his experiences and old times at Grinnell. It reminded me some of ICC and Wisconsin but in many ways entirely different. We had an enjoyable evening and may go to a dance Saturday along with him. I don't know when I will go home as yet. Well I guess I will quit for now. Will try to write more in the morning.
Dear Sweetheart - I'll bet you think its strange that me of all people should let a coke get me down but you know it can happen to the best of us. After I went back to bed it took me the longest time to get to sleep.
Today looks bright and cheery after the rain we had. Birds are chirping everywhere and the sun is beginning to dry out the grass. Uncle Jim and I are going to try to find a job or two today. I have drawn three plans since I got here and we presented one yesterday for their consideration. If it's accepted it will amount to over $100. Of the other two, one is ready for Saturday and although the third plan is drawn the house won't be ready to work on till late this fall.
I haven't been working very hard since I've been here. I did work one morning hoeing at a place Uncle Jim is putting in a lawn. I think it was the hottest day we have had here.
The moon has still been shining brightly every evening and it reminds me of things we did. It doesn't seem possible that it was only three days since we said goodbye at the train. It seems more like a week or two. I've been doing things and time seems to pass much more rapidly than when you were here.
Did you have a good trip home? I'll bet that train was plenty smoky and dirty. Too bad it couldn't have been the Green Diamond. I wished I could have climbed on and gone with you but!!
If we go to the dance Saturday night, Jean is going to get me a date with Florence. I'd much rather go with you but since your not here I hope you don't mind too much. Jean trys so much to show me a good time and we do when I'm not working.
When are Wendall and Leah getting married? I know I won't be able to go to the wedding but I would like to know. We were such good friends. I hope some day we will be able to have him come and work with us. With all his training he should be able to do the work as well as anybody.
Well I guess I've about written all I can think of. If I do think of something else I'll put it in my next letter.
All my love,
Larry
It's early in the morning and I just couldn't sleep, a friend of Jean's from Grinnell came to dinner tonight and he set us up to a couple cokes. They just haven't set right so I thought I'd write you a letter.
Since you've been gone I've thought about you a lot. After you got on the train I thought I would wave again but you passed out of sight so I turned and went back to the car. All the way back to the farm I kept thinking of things we had done these past two weeks. When I got home Jean asked if I felt sad but I don't think it was a particularly sad feeling. I seemed sort of in a daze and afterwards decided it was sort of a lost feeling. As if I had lost something very valuable. Then I got to thinking I hadn't lost it merely separated for a while and then I cheered up. Since then I have tried to think of only the good times we had and that I would see you again soon.
That night Jean and I went to see the Lane sisters in "Daughter's Courageous" and it was swell. Afterwards we picked up Bill and Mike for a coke. Yesterday Jean's Aunt and Uncle came from Peoria and are staying a couple days more. We went swimming in the evening and I stayed home while Bill and Jean went canoing.
Today it rained so I started to read a book "The Yearling." This morning I did go around looking for new houses with little success. Tonight we had a swell dinner and listened to Jean's friend tell of his experiences and old times at Grinnell. It reminded me some of ICC and Wisconsin but in many ways entirely different. We had an enjoyable evening and may go to a dance Saturday along with him. I don't know when I will go home as yet. Well I guess I will quit for now. Will try to write more in the morning.
Dear Sweetheart - I'll bet you think its strange that me of all people should let a coke get me down but you know it can happen to the best of us. After I went back to bed it took me the longest time to get to sleep.
Today looks bright and cheery after the rain we had. Birds are chirping everywhere and the sun is beginning to dry out the grass. Uncle Jim and I are going to try to find a job or two today. I have drawn three plans since I got here and we presented one yesterday for their consideration. If it's accepted it will amount to over $100. Of the other two, one is ready for Saturday and although the third plan is drawn the house won't be ready to work on till late this fall.
I haven't been working very hard since I've been here. I did work one morning hoeing at a place Uncle Jim is putting in a lawn. I think it was the hottest day we have had here.
The moon has still been shining brightly every evening and it reminds me of things we did. It doesn't seem possible that it was only three days since we said goodbye at the train. It seems more like a week or two. I've been doing things and time seems to pass much more rapidly than when you were here.
Did you have a good trip home? I'll bet that train was plenty smoky and dirty. Too bad it couldn't have been the Green Diamond. I wished I could have climbed on and gone with you but!!
If we go to the dance Saturday night, Jean is going to get me a date with Florence. I'd much rather go with you but since your not here I hope you don't mind too much. Jean trys so much to show me a good time and we do when I'm not working.
When are Wendall and Leah getting married? I know I won't be able to go to the wedding but I would like to know. We were such good friends. I hope some day we will be able to have him come and work with us. With all his training he should be able to do the work as well as anybody.
Well I guess I've about written all I can think of. If I do think of something else I'll put it in my next letter.
All my love,
Larry
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