If you have a love of letters, since you are here, I am assuming you do, stop by Letters of Note. A fascinating collection of letters from both famous people and not-so-famous people.
I love this recent note from artist Keith Haring:
An excerpt “Whatever you do, the only secret is to believe in it and satisfy yourself. Don’t do it for anyone else.“
Aug 28 – 23
to Port Arthur
Dear Cap’n Fred –
I nearly fainted this morning when I got your letter. I was never so surprised-!! I’m really glad to find something has made you think of me. From the past few letters the thoughts of me seem few and far between.
I can’t say so much for myself as a Slimess! No, sir! I can’t say that I look forward to it with anticipation – However! I’m glad you’re as happy over it as you seem to be.
Well, well! You began to quit on the 16th – then you pulled it up to the 12th. Then the 9th, and the last thing was the 8th, with Ike! Listen, écoutez as the Frenchman says. Speaking as man to man I shan’t tell you when to come home. You know the sooner the better for me. If you stay there longer, you will make more money, and it’sreally a business proposition, you know. If you quit a week ahead you’ll be out that much. As for your mother – well, I know she’d love you to death if she had a longer time at you – you haven’t had any vacation, it’s been work – all day + all nite. There hasn’t been any fun – no dates (!??!) —? and then to settle down to the grind at Rice – well, you’ll feel it. A vacation will be good for you, very good – and you need it – and from all I hear (and I have some rather reliable sources) she wants + needs you. You know, after all, there’s no one on earth like her Freddie – her baby boy. Of course, she wants you home every second she can get you and it’s right for you to go- But is it worth it? You could miss school, of course, at first, and have more time at home, but perhaps that would put you behind. Your folks haven’t seen you since Xmas + then like the chump I am, I had to pull you back up here – (of course, you pleaded work.) Then in June, I made you come here to the “darned Senior dance” as you so lovingly called it. This time tho, I’m going to send you home to stay. If you do come back the 8th, you’ll have two weeks at home. So, ma gras garçon, I shall leave it entirely up to you. Only let me know.
You ask me when I want you to come. I’ve told you – but I don’t want to pull you from your work – and I won’t see you but once maybe before you go home because I insist that you don’t waste precious time in Houston because of me. I’ll see you 9 months, maybe every day and they won’t, C? I don’t plead for myself – These last few weeks have dragged so until I thought I would go mad. These nights when all there is to do it watch the moon ride across the heavens – or watch the stars – or stare at the dark walls + think, think, I’m back in the rut of sleepless nights when either poetry, or songs run thru my head. It’s maddening, and it was after such a night that I wrote you and asked you to come home – C? You’ve been such a comfort to me, dear boy, and I’ve needed you. Ive pulled out of the blues, tho. Thank Heavens!
As for Jessamine’s trip – I thought you understood that there was only a possibility. They haven’t made any definate plans at all – she only mentioned it to me but perhaps it might not get pulled off, after all. If she does have it, and you’re here, of course, you’ll go – but I wouldn’t think about it.
I’m stiff + sore today and I need a little exercise so I’m going swimming in a little while.
Mon Ami, you know what is best. You know I’ll be so glad to have you home, and the sooner, the better. There seems to be more reason why you should come but I leave that to you. I’ll be awful glad if you decide on the 8th + then you can come with Ike + won’t be left alone there and you won’t have to travel alone – and – oh! well, you know best.
Am I to look for you a week from Sunday? or later on? Don’t let me come between you and your work, please, but you know I want you.
It’s so hot I’m reduced to a grease spot.
Yours til the piano loses its scales –
Florence
Port Arthur, Tex
Aug 28, 1923
Florence, My Dearest;
Oh, what a grand letter from you today. You made me feel so good and tears came in my eyes because I was not in Houston.
What would you say and do if I told you something that would make you feel so good. Would you like to know what it is.
If I would come to Houston on Sunday morn. Sept 9th and stay ’till Tues morning what would you say to that. Would you like it. Florence my Dear I just can’t wait any longer. The vacation will be better than staying here. Maybe so I will be in Houston11:40 Sept 9th. I hope so. I want to see you so bad. I have thought about you so much lately. It won’t be long. And if I do some then, whoo-pee. I will never be so happy. I expected to write a long letter, I set aside tonite for it, but we went to town, saw a gang from Rice and went up to Plaza Hotel and had an old time. Bullpen and I just got home, but I had to write you tonite anyway. It is time for me to leave and go ot work, so my Dear you will have to consider this little note this time.
I will write again soon,
With oceans of love
Fred.
7:45 p.m.
Well, that was a calm, cool indifferent sort of letter, wasn’t it? Listen, mon ami, and you will understand why I wrote it. First, for nearly a long dreary week I’ve been mentally gone – now it’s turned into physical ailments. First among these is my back. I’ve been taking some pretty hard exercise lately in swimming and I’ve enjoyed it. Of course, not eating as I should has been a drawback on strength. Don’t begin that I should eat, I won’t. It will have to be choked down me, but possibly the worstpain is because a lady wanted to try a new stunt – to pull me onto the side of the pool. Instead of 3 counts I understood 2 – and pulled myself up when she went down and hit my back. I did that twice and I bruised my back. My chest feels absolutely numb, today, too. I burnt one finger this morning. I have a cold + a terribly sore throat. Now, perhaps you can understand why I wrote like I did. Excuse me, Fred, I’m not indifferent at all. You know it. Perhaps you will realize how I felt when I found that you wouldn’t like to come home a week sooner. I assure you, Gras Garçon, I was thinking of you – entirely – as for me + my worries. They were just pretty big when I wrote and they’re not so important.
You would have been such a big comfort to me during the past week when things weren’t worth 2 cents worth of dog meat without the bone – and not even a letter! ‘Atta boy, little one, that’t the way to lose friends.
Listen! Fred, can’t you return what I’ve given? At Rice during exams, you remember I wrote – wrote – when you ran that nail in your foot – during track season- and while you were laid up this summer. I wrote every day, as sure as light would come. And not that I’ve been in a whole, why, you evidently didn’t care enough to write. Ma gras garçon, you don’t blame me for being cool – utterly hard. Then today to find you didn’t care to come home. My dear, I’m disappointed! Terribly so. As long as you feel that way, stay! After all what is there in Houston except school? I rather doubt that you’re coming back to me. Oh! of course, you’re busy there, you’re making money, if you could be doing both here in H. and have me too, why O.K. otherwise.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Might I ask forgiveness for all that?
I’m going to quit before you boil over utterly –
There’s no use in being angry. Fred, and if you write me back a hot letter, I won’t answer it at all – ever –
Please don’t pile any more on me. I’ve stood too much already – and I’m reaching the breaking point. Please be patient with me.
Please – only 2 weeks + 4 days.
Lovingly,
Florence
Aug 28 – 23
My dear Fred –
I’d just like to tell you that you saved yourself from one of the biggest surprises you have almost every gotten! I shan’t tell you what it was but I’ll guarantee that it wouldn’t have been any too pleasant or thrilling. Reason: I haven’t heard from you for 5 days. I beg you to remember that I am not here for anyone’s convenience.
You can rest assured, my dear, I shall answer every letter you write as soon as possible but nothing more. “Give and take will friendship make.” This is positively the last thing I shall say to you about letters. Things are getting rather interesting again and I’m sure I can easily live 3 more weeks – and don’t kick if you don’t get letters as often as before – for I’m only answering them, C?
Never mind about Jessamine’s trip. After all she might not have it + it would waste your time to come home. Do as you planned and come back on the 16th. I thought you would be glad of an opportunity to come back sooner you’re not, so we’ll forget it. Of course, I concluded that you understood each girl could as a date, and if you happened to be here, I’d ask you – but never mind. You need never feel that you’re pushing yourself with the gang. They used to expect you where ever I was – but I guess things have changed for both of us. Forget all about the Sylvan trip + as you planned, stay til the 16th since you’re not anxious to grab an opportunity. I’ll let you know perhaps if anything is said, or planned.
Well, my dear, of course I’m not so “extremely out of proportion!” I just want to pull off about 10 more lbs, and if Jessamine can do it, + stay thin, I can too. This will be permanent. It’s not all coming off at once. I’ve been at it nearly 3 weeks and I’ve lost 10 lbs, so it’s slow + not so hard. But, take it from me, brother, it sure takes courage to turn down cake + candy (and I just had a big box given to me – Sob Sob!)
You ask me if I knew you wrote 3 letters in between my letters last week. No, I hadn’t known about it. I got one Mon, one Wed and the other 2day, and I’ve written at least that many.
No, I’m not going to S.M. or S.A*, the folks wouldn’t let me.
Bradfield called me this morning. I nearly fell over. I was so surprised I couldn’t talk. Sullivan (!?!) called me the other day but I wasn’t home + he had to go back before I got home. I nearly passed out – all the R I** crowd is drifting back – one by one. Well, I must go have lunch.
As ever – Florence
* San Marcos and San Angelo
** Rice Institute
Port Arthur
Aug 27, 1923
My Dearest Florence;
I know you will be so surprised to get this so soon after the other but I have been thinking of you so much today that I just had to write to you and spend a few minuted with you. I have to wait for time to go to work.
I am so glad you have talked to Mr McCann and have your course arranged. I mean picked out. I can help you occasionally on your math and physics, but I am sure the rest is Greek to me. I hope you will not need any help tho’. You will be real interested after you start. I’ll bet your new outfit is nifty. Your blue & gray sweater will set you off, eh? haba. I will have a new Blue and Gray sweater too. But if will have a big “R” on it. Wish yours did too. Won’t you be a cute Slime. “yea Slimess” I will be so glad when I get back to Houston and get to see you. Just think Florence 1/2 months, but seems like the months are years, to’. I am getting restless already. It won’t be long now. I am almost sure I will quit the 12th instead of the 15th. I want to go on home and enjoy a good vacation. Mama I think would like for me to spend a long time at home. I may leave the 9th I don’t know. I don’t much care how long I stay here. The sooner I leave the better. I have about decided to quit the 9th.
Lots of Love
Fred
When do you want me to come? any time suits me.
Port Arthur, Tex
Aug 26, 1923
My Dearest Florence;
I have been thinking of you so much today and that it is only three weeks until I will be gone from here. Maybe never to return. I was so mad tonite I could have fought. They have no system whatever to traffic regulations. There were two lines of cars coming down the street and three of attempted to cross the street at the same time two _ _ _ beans decided to pass the two lines, this making three lines. He was going about 25 or 30 M.P.H. and was on the left side of street. We had already passed our half and these birds just liked a little of hitting us. I was so mad I don’t know what I would have done if they had come out. I gave them a hearty invitation to stop, but they seemed pleased not to accept the invitation and sped on. I am really afraid to go to town at a busy hour. The people have no consideration or respect for a human life. They don’t care what they do. Then another thing we went to a show and tried to appreciate a good show and tried to appreciate a good show but all a loss. A cajun and his cajun woman was behind us and talking loud, cheering when the hero won and just butchering the English language. But why should I worry, only a few days longer.
Say my Dear you asked if I couldn’t leave here a few days ahead of time i.e. ahead of the time I had planned. Sure I can but you must remember if Jessamine does have a bunch to go to Sylvan I will not ask for an invitation. I will be glad to go, but I will not try to push myself into it. Of course I am sure she would like for me to go. Oh! How I would like to see all that bunch again before they separate for school. I don’t think I should like to come a week before had planned, but it’s possible. I can quit all night the 12th but I don’t think I would like to before then. You see I could spend more time at home. If you find out anything let me know, C? If I were you I wouldn’t mention it to her as she don’t know anything about it and it would see funny, don’t you think.
It will just a few weeks more until you will be a Slimess – “Yea Slimes”
Them were the good old days. Won’t it be grand to go to school together. An you can’t walk on the grass and everything.
Of course Slimes can walk across with Sophs & upper classmen, as won’t you let me have the honor of escorting you across, eh? Wot you say ole Dear.
Glad to hear you like the swimming so well. You are getting good. What’s the idea of trying so much to reduce. Don’t you know it will only temporarily. It takes centuries to change nature. If you’re made that way and if you don’t like it you are unfortunate. I sure do admire you for taking an interest in sports. Why don’t you try chinning the bar and stretch out a little. Really tho’ Florence, I don’t think you are so extremely out of proportion. It wouldn’t hurt for you to be a little taller. But don’t let it worry you Dearest. It seems that I miss you more and more all the time and you can’t realize how I missed your letters last week. Do you know that I wrote three letters in between. But that didn’t hurt me, I enjoy writing you when I know you enjoy reading them.
Are you going to make your other trips i.e. to S.A. and San Marcos. I hope you go by El Campo if you do. It will be great to see the village. Don’t you think. I must get to the hay now so good night.
With Lots of Love ’till I see you
Fred
Sun 4 pm to Port Arthur
Sorry I don’t have time to write any more, Sis is going to the library + I’ll get her to mail this. I’ve been laid up nearly all day – didn’t sleep last nite at all. Watched the eclipse at 4 this morning + went to sleep at about 5:30. So I’m pretty well gone. Had an adominable time at CB’s last nite – Horrid! Some things radically, terribly wrong in Houston, but I shan’t worry you about it.
I’m going back to bed now. I’ve been there most all day since I got home from SS, I don’t know what is wrong with me. I’ll write again when I can –
Florence
Fri morning
10:45 pm
I’m directly in the midst of work. Imagine Mother was doing some work on the old literature at the church and she couldn’t get any ladies to help her so she roped “darling daughter” in to the rescue. I’ve been working, lifting heavy books + pounding the type, for nearly 2 hours. Frankly I’m hot and “gone”
My dear! I’ve slept lately! I feel it’s quite an accomplishment, don’t you think so. I’ll tell you about it. I go-go-go thru the day til I’m worn out utterly. A swim it real exercise and awfully tiring, and every afternoon I swim hard. Yesterday I swam an hour the length of the pool 5 times. Not all at once, of course. It’s 60 feet long – 300 ft. 100 yds. I’ve surely improved! When I started 2 weeks ago 60 feet would wind my utterly but I’ve trained down now – no sweets, or fancy junk – just plain food, not fattening. So I guess I’m “in training.” At least I’ve done as you want me to for a change. But when I “hit the feathers” at nite I’m too sore and tired to do anything but “saw wood.” I don’t get tired so quickly. I feel better physically, but oh! mentally!
Played for the radio last nite after a hard swim. Had a good time. The whole gang of us – dance, cut up – had oodles of requests for jazz numbers. and we had all the latest pieces out. Then afterward we “joy rode” the Main St. Drag, singing + cutting up after 10 – fun! oh boy! It was all a jazz program (Trust me for that) and I played only one classical piece. Oh! We had lots of fun.
Fred, when you get real brave and learn to swim we’ll try a lot of junk, singing underwater. I did that yesterday and swallowed the pool – blub blub, and then Sis carried me on her shoulders underwater and I carried her. Tomorrow morning we’re going to try and eat a banana under water, blub blub. I hope I don’t drown. I’ve tried swimming under water but I haven’t the nerve yet to dive but I will soon.
I know what you’re thinking, Fred. All my time and thought is taken up with swimming – swimming, Caro mio. It’s not quite that bad, but I’m so fascinated by it. It seems it’s just a part of me and I look forward to the afternoons when I can swim again. And all this winter I’m going in – Oh! and so much fun. You’ve missed half a life time, Fred by not swimming! It’s glorious.
It’s 11:30 now. I’ve started and stopped thru this letter a dozen times, and I’ve never entirely gotten my thoughts straight. I’m awfully dizzy for some strange reason, so I’m going to say “au revior” again. I hope this letter gets mailed this time. I’m getting worse than Jessamine (ask Ike about it)
Amouringly
Florence.
Thursday ~
Dear Fred –
So busy, So busy, and full of water ~ and empty. I’m so horribly terribly hungry – and peaches, milk, soft boiled eggs and toast, nearly 2 weeks now. 10 1/2 lbs in 2 weeks isn’t bad, is it? I don’t notice that I look any different, tho’. I tip the scales at 131 1/2 lbs. I’ve lost about 8 lbs in a week. Believe me, little one, if I keep on, I’ll be trim as a race horse!! or a track star. Then I’ll compete vs you in low hurdles. Huh?
Got your letter this morning. I was about to send out an alarm for my C.H.S. pin. You have had it nearly a week, and didn’t even write + tell me you got it! You’re a hunk o’ cheese you are. You’re quite welcome. I’m glad it pleases you. I usually try to keep my promises.
My dear! all there is to swimming is practice. I’ve been swimming nigh unto 6 years now, and this year, for the first time have I been able to swim right. I adore the scissors kick – and the flutter kick nearly kills my legs but they’re getting so strong. I can pull myself clear out of the water and you can see the muscles in my arm – Hot Dog! and today I think I’m going to attempt to dive. I’m learning the slow trudgean crawl – and I nearly choke but I keep it up. I’ve been in every day since last Thurs. except Sun. It’s glorious. I’ve cut out all cold drinks except limeades (chockalates + sundaes, etc) and I feel strong as a steam engine. My one thought these days is swimming. I positively love from one afternoon to the next. One day I had the pool for half an hour all to myself. No one but the life saver around – and she didn’t pay any attention to me. Believe me, I sure worked. It’s not play, what I’m doing. Often lately, I’ve been so sore I could scarcely move but there’s a method in my madness! and starving! Glory!
Why don’t you come home a week sooner then go on to E.C> and not have to miss the first part of school? That little(?) money couldn’t make so much difference, could it? Instead of only a week – at home – have 2 – I shouldn’t think of letting you stay in H. a whole week before going home. Couldn’t you make it about Sept 11 or 12? instead of 16th? Of course, I guess you know best, but listen! mon ami, while society doesn’t appeal to you at all – maybe it wouldn’t bore you too much. Jessamine plans a trip to Sylvan just before she leaves – and of course, I’d like for you to get in on it. Perhaps you don’t think it is worth the price, I believe it is. Come home with Ike and we can enjoy a little fun perhaps before we begin at the grindstone. I don’t want to persuade you vs your better judgement or ideas.
Do as you think best. Personally I think you’d be better off if you didn’t stay there so long, that last week is going to be the worst. I know, Fred, from experience. You’ll know Ike is here with his “best” and you’ve got another week in jail. And if I keep on talking so convincingly you’ll have to come whether you think best or not. So I’ll stop.
I’m going to perform for the radio tonite. I don’t relish the job but I guess I’ll live through it. And I’m going to town – then swimming in a little while.
I’m awfully tired and sore.
C.B. is going to have a surprise party Sat. nite – more dancing and fun. Hot dog! Wish you were here to go along. Remember our party over there?
I feel like old heck today. I was up town all morning – and I’m so blue I’m surprised this paper hasn’t turned blue just from association! Somehow I’ve changed so much I hardly recognize myself anymore – I wonder if you will.
Got my credits O.K. from Rice. I’ve got to go see Mr. McCann this week if possible. A girl friend has offered us advice, and help, all her quiz papers + daily math and junk she had last year. I might pull thru after all, Reckon?
Ma cheré, I must leave. Take my town trip and my swim + play for the radio.
If you don’t get a letter again soon, I haven’t forgotten you. I’m awfully busy – sewing, swimming, starving + going, but I’ll write when I can.
Florence.
