1/8/23 The Mysterious Gypsy

They call me a fortune teller,

And my fortunes are always true

If you’ll listen to me a minute,

I’ll tell your fortune to you.
You must listen to me very closely,
And I’ll tell you the things that I know,
Things that only a fortune teller
Can tell you will come and will go.

You’re one of a very large family,

But a family that’s happy and gay.
You love them all greatly and that sister of yours?
You’ll be proud of your sister some day.
You’re very ambitious and you’re going to win out
In the business that you undertake.
But remember, señor, there’s a straight, narrow path
For the wonderful man that you’ll make.

There’ll be lots of temptations for you to put down

But remember this thing, you are strong.
And it’s only that strength that’ll win out for you.
And put you just where you belong.

There’s a girl who has recently come in your life

A girl who will stick to the end.
But remember, señor, she’s impulsive and young.
Keep her and make her your friend.
She’ll never be more to you, that I am sure
Let me warn you of that girl’s worst trait,
Value her friendship, be a true pal to her
But beware of her, lest you cause hate.

This girl I’ll describe so you’ll know who I mean,
And you won’t get her mixed with the rest.
She has brown hair, grey eyes, and a temper like fire,
Thank not make folk dare to molest.

You’re cool-headed and slow in  making your friends
But they’re ones that you’ll value some day
When you settle down and are out in the world
And you realize that life is not play.

You won’t marry young for you’ve more sense
But you’ll wait til you have a good start,
Then life will be happy and you will be glad,
For you’ll  marry the girl of your heart.

I don’t know who it is, I can’t tell by your palm,
But I’m sure that it’s no one you’ve met.
Just be patient, you’ll know when the time is at hand,
I can’t read on your palm of that, yet.

Finish your school then go out in the world,
And bring your name right before all.
Tho’ cruel to some folks, the world won’t be to you.
It’ll give you your dues when you call.

You’re a wonderful athlete and some day right soon
You’ll win in a game that you play.
If not win, I am sure that you’ll get some high marks,
Your friends will admire you that day.

That’s all of your fortune, I thank you, señor,
There’s a wonderful future for you.
And I’m wishing you luck and I know that you’ll win.
And you’ll make many friends who are true.

I must stop now and read, my head’s in a whirl.
Your interesting palm kept me here.
Don’t forget what I said of the straight narrow path.
The Gypsies will join me – “good cheer”

~The Mysterious Gypsy~

If you’ll keep this fortune that she’s told you,
And read it again some day,
You’ll find that she’s told you the honest truth.
And, now, what more can she say?

F.M.P.

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1/7/23 Deep in Some Deep Math

Houston, Texas

Jan 7, 1923

My Dearest Florence,

Just been deep in some deep math. It sure is deep too. About the most difficult yet. So you see I haven’t accomplished much with it. Sure does seem awful to get to work on studies after enjoying the Holiday’s. I was just thinking tonite of how many times that I had seen you during my vacation from school. Sure was a bunch. Kinda often you know. But gee, how I enjoyed them tho’ you cannot realize it. But I sure can. It sure would have been dreary out here. Just think of the good old times I would have missed if I had not have gone to the Halloween party and you make things so interesting for me when I come to see you. You fixing up those little parties for us, was sure great of you. You cannot realize how I appreciate your hospitality and sentiments toward me. They will never be forgotten. I can never thank you too often for you teaching me to make the feet shuffle. Altho’ I cannot do much now and am a pest, but maybe I will do better some day. Here’s hoping you’re with me, aren’t you old dear.
I sure think your poetry and rhymes throughout the letter and the others are cute. I like them. Really. That was sure a good one about the History students of great intellectual ability, which has never been surpassed in the age of the present generation.
The sword on the Molay pin is for protection. It keeps away all bad things and is used to a great advantage in the time of distress. Many knights have used a sword to extract a head from a serpent. Maybe you have never examined the funny big part that you speak of. Some day I will let you examine to see if you can understand or see what it is. A part of an armour. It’s just a march onto victory with one of those and the principles behind it. When the Rainbows, the sister organization gets in operation here I sure would be glad to see you a member. If it’s like our work you could not help but appreciate it.
Florence old Dear in your letters when about to end you said for me to not forget things that I wanted to say when I started to write you. Dear, words cannot express my sentiments toward you. If they are in the English language I am unable to locate them after an earnest search in my vocabulary. I really think you are one of the most interesting and accomplished girls that I have met. Your musical talent is something to be proud of. Not many have that. It is not only your musical talents that makes me care for you, it is your disposition and affectionate ways toward me. They are everlasting. I may be foolish for writing this but really the temptation is too strong. I must tell you that I care for you. Altho’ I may not express it just right but I think the world of you. I must stop this and get to studying.

With Love

Fred
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1/5/23 45 Lines of Virgil

316 West Hall

Jan 5, 1923

Dearest Old Pal,

I guess you’re wondering if I’m over that horrible case of the blues. I sure had ’em bad. Walking up the stairs that nite to the telephone I was crying so hard I could hardly talk – but I managed to pull myself together. I’m so glad you called. You can’t imagine how glad I was to hear the phone ring. When I finished talking to you —
I wrote that much this morning in school then when I got home I found that precious letter. I’m so glad you wrote to me. Last nite after I talked to you, I went to bed but I wake myself up a dozen times crying, so I decided I’d try to write something. I got as far as this.
There are times when the world gets so blue.
That our lives don’t seem worthwhile.
And our hearts are aching
And our brains whirl ’round
And we haven’t the power to smile.
FMP

Then it all started over again + I tried to write to you. Like I told you I do when you got awful blue (a rhyme) but I couldn’t see the paper, so I gave up. Today at school – everybody noticed my eyes (the ones you gazed into on the fatal Oct. 30 under a black net mask – remember?) and wanted to know what in the world was the matter with me. I didn’t tell them but just passed it off. But that’s enough sob stuff.

Wish you were here. I’m off to wash the car. It’s a big job but I guess I’ll live thru it. Send some of your slimes* out + be sure to include Skinney and Slime Feathers – ha ha – what a bird –
coo – coo

10:25 pm

I guess your deep in some math or physics problem now or perhaps even some Spanish. pitiful about that, isn’t it? I’m rejoicing that all my studying is done till tomorrow morning – I’ve been horribly industrious in my studies + horribly bored. I had to construct some senseless (graphic) and get 45 lines of Virgil. The geom wasn’t so worse but Latin – good gosh!
I began in earnest at 8 tonite + constantly for 2 1/4 solid hours did I translate – there are almost 10 more lines but I had to quit. It was where Lascoon was devoured by the serpents – remember – and it’s so horrible. I’m sure I’ll be fighting dragons all nite long but I’ll use the DeMolay sword + that’ll protect me, won’t it?
Oh – listen – tell me why the De Molay picked out that pin – the funny big part + then the little sword. Wasn’t there some object? I’ve often wondered but never thought to ask –
It was awful hard to get back into the harness again. I guess your finding it so, too. ‘Cause when one has fun + late hours, it’s pretty hard to get back to drudgery + early rising + late slumber. Anyway – it’s all started in earnest and in 2 more weeks my finals + then, Fred, starts the most wonderful time – my very last year of school in Houston unless I decide to attempt Rice – shall I?
I think I have finally decided on my course + unless I flunk out on History + I’m sure I won’t – I’ll go on with the straight course + next year I’ve got to get a scholarship. A tony gold pin so I can study – oh, some more of my resolutions to be broken.
I’m awful sorry for you – I know how it is to be a cripple. I was one for a whole month this summer.
There was a epitheliamal (say it with flowers) tumor in my foot + it had to come out or within (I believe) 3 months, there would be a funeral – so, of course I wasn’t anxious to leave this cruel world + so the thing was cut + burned out. Almost every day I went to the doctor’s. Thank fortune he (the doctor) was handsome and unmarried and proved to be very fond of me. SO except for the pain + worry + inconvenience, I enjoyed it. But he nearly burned my foot off with a sort of green fire salve – oh gorsh as Virgil says “horresco referens” I shudder to recall it. Tell friend foot that if it has any mercy or regard for other people’s feelings to hurry + get well.
From the way you talked in that letter, old dear, you believe in the Fates, do you? The ones that just fashion things to suit themselves + not you + who don’t care whether it hurts you or not? Were the Fates working on October night or was that Cupid? Oh – but excuse me – I forgot it’s been 2 years since you studied mythology.
I’m thrilled to death over Ike. He’s really quite precious. Remember how that first afternoon I was out at Rice + we waited for him + then rode around til he came out + then once he went to town with us + you told me I had gotten what I came for —
I want to come out there again some time but I’m not sure just when it will be – I’m a busy human these days – resting + getting back the strength and sleep I lost last year.
I’m glad Ike enjoyed his good times here – I know I did – but I was not wholly responsible for them. You know, a certain young man – I think he’s a sophomore at Rice Institute and I believe if I’m not horribly mistaken, his initials are F. J. S. furnished the most attractive part of those good times namely the boys and himself C? now will you be good.
Please – meus carus* don’t forget all you start to say when you write to me. If you can’t think of anything else to say – tell me what you think of me – ha ha – do you suppose words could do that??

How can your foot pain you from sitting up?

Ring – dumbbell – ring!
I didn’t intend to write a book when I started but really I got interested so the conclusion is obvious.
Oh – listen – one more thing – did all of my old friends come back? George + DuBois + Smith + Skinney + Jack (friend??!!) + Lokey –
Oh – I saw Lakey uesday + he smiled so sweetly – oh – goodness!!

Tell Ike hello for me + give him my best 73’s.

And I’ll pray for your foot tonite + hope that it will get well fast. And for the love of M-Ike don’t step on any other nails. Ha Ha
wasn’t that cute?

I’m going to have to ring off. It’s way after 11 + I’ve got a hard day before me tomorrow. Besides, my arm is horribly cramped.

I’m looking for another blue + gray envelope soon – pride of my fading years, so don’t disappoint me.
Just oodles of —- to you.
It’s the same old tale.

Florence

P.S.  Did Walter L come back?

P.S.2 Honestly, Fred, if I ever got a letter this long from you, I’d faint, but I don’t think there’s much chance of that, do you?
*Latin for “My dear”
This is some more of my senseless wit. They’ve asked me to put it into the high school paper but I don’t know whether I have the nerve.
Read it and laugh. neus carus , and think of my poor, poor head and forget your head.
Something about History and Heads.
There’s a nut that’s preaching history,
to a class of dumb, dumb bells,
he thinks that we can learn from it
And really learn it well.
But here is one dumb,  dumb bell,
Who can’t learn History.
Who can’t even listen to the poor old man
When he starts to preach to me.
Oh, goodness I think my head is empty.
Like a bottle without any water
That has only the outside label
To tell what it hadn’t oughter.
You’ll pardon the poor comparison
Of my head to a bottle without water,
You see, it’s really just this way
I’m only my father’s daughter.
F.M.P.
Does it hurt your foot to laugh or write?
F.M.P.
* During this era, students at Rice Institute (now University) referred to freshmen as “slimes“
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1/2/23 A Little Accident

Houston, Texas

Jan 2, 1923

My Dearest Florence,

Well how did school go today. I thought of you today. How you were hard at it. Just think tho’, tomorrow is when I start. It will some sensation too, I assure you.
I had a little accident this morning over in the M.E. Lab*. I stepped on a nail. It going through my shoe and entering my foot about 3/4 of an inch. I have been in bed ever since. I am not sure that I will go to classes tomorrow or not. It depends on how I feel in the morning. Sure did have hard luck but I suppose it was to be that way.
Ike came in tonite. He sure had a good time. He has been to Cuero, Eagle Lake and several other places. The first things (about) that he asked me was if I had seen his girls. Not girl but girls. So you see, he surely enjoyed his good times in the crowd, which you was responsible for C? Ike came ok with his grades, better then he expected. So you see he is satisfied.
I had just lots of things to say when I started but I have forgotten ’em. My foot is paining me from sitting up so I suppose I had better go to bed and rest it. Good night. I will try to do better the next time.
As ever –
Fred
* Mechanical Engineering Lab at Rice Institute
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12/30/22 Dearest Old Pal

Excuse me for sending this special but I couldn’t resist the temptation and I do want you to get this sometime before Tuesday. C? Am I forgiven?

12:00 noon

Dec 30, 1922

Dearest Old pal

let’s be that to each other all the time. it’s so much better then the other. Don’t you think so?

Listen, Fredibus, old thing, you speak of the blues so often. Aren’t you strong enough to resist them? I’m hardly capable to preach to you about the “blues” because I’ll admit that sometimes I have an acute case of “blue devils” + they tramp all over me. I’ve had ’em so bad sometimes, I’ve wanted to end everything. But usually I go somewhere + try to fight it off. I’ll tell you a wonderful cure for them. Go stand in front of a mirror + make funny faces at yourself and see how absurd you can look. If that don’t put the blues out, well – go out under the wonderful stars and think of Orion. Think of something someone you like has said that pleased you or amused you. I’m sure that won’t fail + if it does, well, go to bed + forget it. You’re dreadfully strong and you’re too strong to hand onto such a thing. Why should thinking of the days when I was out there make you blue? Did I ever permit myself to say or do anything to make you feel that way?

Please don’t connect me with the blues for I hate them so. So let’s forget ’em, Fred. You’re too fine a boy to go under like that. Don’t disappoint me but be real happy.

That was a cute simile you made about mud pies. Was that a compliment or a slam to you or me?

I’m sitting in the car in front of the P.O. and it’s raining!! but I’m going to finish this letter. Thanks for writing to me. It really was a surprise but a pleasant one. So keep it up. I won’t be angry. And listen – when you do get blue, sit down + tell me everything. That might help some. At least it won’t do any harm. Won’t you?

I’ve got to go. Mama said be home before Dad so I’ll have to rush.

There’s bushels more I could say if I had the time + the paper, but I haven’t so I’ll just say – Forget the blues, think of me + be happy. Won’t you?

Florence.

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12/28/22 The Most Lonesome Place

Houston, Texas

Dec 28, 1922

My Dearest Florence,

Gee, this is the most lonesome place I have seen in several days. I am looking forth to Sunday night with great anxiety. You know it drives the blues away and gives me inspiration when I go out to see you. A little enjoyment of that kind (the kind you show me) does a great deal to loosen up a person’s head after long thinking. You know, just similar to dissolving clods with water to make mud pies.

The stationery that the new year greeting is on is very cute. Some trick to that stationery, eh?

I am so glad that you liked the pin so much. I am sure you appreciate it, the way you expressed it is fully convincing.

I can think of the happy days (tonite) when you came out to see me in the afternoons. Somehow I cannot keep the blues back I am looking forward to see you some afternoon again when school is in full swing.

Florence, words cannot express how I enjoyed those afternoons. If you are ever away from home in school, then I am sure you realize how things go at times. When the blues come, you may not be able to see until then.

Well old dear, I will have to say good night for this time.

As ever,

Fred

PS. Got my grades today. Came out OK. Sure was some relief, too.

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12/10/22 Saving Breath and Time

Please excuse everything about this letter. How can one write anything with someone raving like Hong (?) When I read over this, it sounds so foolish, but I feel like that, ‘Scuse me, won’t you?

Central Hi School

2nd Period
History Class
Dec. 10, 1922

Dear Fred,

When you get this, you’ll be through with one final, won’t you? Maybe it might cheer you up, but I don’t think it will be so bad for I know you will pass.

This note saves breath and time, too, doesn’t it? My throat won’t stand much more, either. I talked to you too much yesterday. I’m resorting to the old means of communication that made Shakespeare make his wonderful quotation.

“Oh that mine enemy would write a letter.”

Ha-Ha – Am I not poetic?

And listen, sometime in the future, if you remind me of it, I’ll show you 2 books that will amuse you exceedingly. C?
The teacher is wildly raving about Jefferson. He + Jefferson are good friends. they went to separate schools together.
While I was deep in the depths of plane geometry last nite, I suddenly remembered that you had my “C” armband. (No wonder I never learn geom.)

Take good care of that, old dear, and give it back to me when I give back one of your most valuable possessions. Mama says you ought to take something terribly valuable of mine to get even with my wearing that medal, but you don’t mind, do you?

I think the “blow out” can be “pulled off” but don’t think of it and when you call, I’ll tell you all about it. C?

I hope the words on this paper will do for you what I want them to and inspire (!) you to study hard all the rest of the day.

There’s lots more I’d like to say, but I mustn’t take up your time. Maybe this can do what my presence might.

Just bushels of cheer to you, Fred, and look forward to the 20th when you come out and we’ll make up for all we’ve missed.

Florence.

 

 

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