8/10/1923 I wanted you to know why no letters came

8/10/23

My Dearest Florence;

First I will tell you why I haven’t written for the last few days. I have been working 12 hrs per day and Comstock and another boy (Huffer) are here from home and I am trying to get them a job. You see I don’t get home till 12 o’clock P.M. and I sleept ’till 8:30 or 9:00 A.M. and go to work at 11:00 A.M. So you see I didn’t have much time. But Florence my Dear I have thought of you much, nevertheless. I haven’t gotten a letter from you in a few days either.

I am counting the days before I get back. Days makes it sound shorter than weeks. I think I will quit the 15th and be in Houston the morning of the 16th. I may go on to El Campo. I think I will stay in Houston all that week. For what? Well, I don’t know. -?

You see I can go home and spend a few days at the weekend of some week. But I am going to get in Houston as soon as possible. You see I am just crazy to get back. I am so tired of this town. That’s why I am working 12 hrs. Nothing to do and I will make up for the time I have lost.

This is a might poor epistle but I wanted you to know why no letters came. I will write you a real one soon. Bushels and Oceans of Love

Fred

The chewing gum was fine. Ha Ha

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8/6/1923 Run, jump, swim, steal watermelons, get your face dirty

Monday 8 am

8-6-23

My Darling Florence;

How goes it this most beautiful morning? I am sure you think I am the ____ of a boy for not letting you get a letter this morning. I know you expected one. Your last letter was so indifferent, but let’s not fuss about such a small thing. I know letter writing reflects the mood of a person, at the time they are writing. (That pen is no good, so I’ll use my own)

Ike went to Houston Sunday. He left here Sat nite at 6:00 pm. I’ll bet he is having a wonderful time. He said he would be back Tuesday – maybe. If I could onlt have gone with him. If you were there. wouldn’t it have been great if I could have come down to see you in a car while you were in Devers[?]. I don’t know a soul here that has a car that I could have possibly had a chance to get.

Florence do you know that is only 40 days more before I get back to Houston. Every day makes one day less. Just think its just 40. It used to be over a hundred. I have served over 60 days in seclusion. Not seeing my most darling little girl. You know that’s quite a sacrifice too. Some times I think I can’t stand it till 9-16-23. I get so tired of this place. This shift work is not what I want. I’ll never work this way again. If I had known that it was this way before I came I never would have been in P.A. Won’t we have a great time when the day does come. You a Slimess and I a Junior. You’ll have to be good and mind or I’ll have to use the broom or my belt. Just as you prefer. Isn’t it awful to be a Freshman. It’s all in a Freshman’s life. Say my Dear are any one else going to Rice from the Gang that used to be out there. I hope there is. Did Mary get her proposition at that art school. So many of those girls are going to C.I.A. are they not. I am so glad that you have definitely decided on Rice. I was so glad when I read that. I suppose your father has given up the Cal plan. So you remember when you told me about it, one day on Rice field when Central had a Base Ball game. Oh! How I did feel. I thought then, when I left for P.A. that would be the last time I would see you for a long time. But now I know it will not, unless something very serious happens.

Starting today I am going to work 12 hrs per day for the next two weeks. It is an easy job the extra 4 hrs so I just as well be drawing pay as to be hanging around here. You see I can make up for a little lost time. It’s going to be very easy or I would not have taken it.

I’ll bet you look good in those knickers, eh? Now you can be what you have always wanted to be. A Boy. Run, jump, swim, steal watermelons, get your face dirty, Go barefooted and all those things that a boy does. You have all the chance in the world now. Be a big tom boy. “Ain’t nature Grand.” How do you like the country. Have you gone out watermelon stealing yet. That’s when they taste good to boys.

I have been so lonesome for you lately that I do not know what to do. Just for a few hours alone with you would make things so wonderful. This letter writing makes things seem different, a person cannot understand as well and really Florence I think we have misunderstood just a little, Don’t you? That is only on the surface, tho’. Down deep I still have the same feeling. I know that I care, and you know you care, but we just let some little insignificant foolish idea make us a little indifferent. I am sure you care, because when I was in Houston you would not have shown such affections if you did not. Them where the days Florence. I will never forget those good things you did for me. Of course you got as much pleasure out of those little gatherings as I did, but nevertheless my Dear you cannot imagine how I did enjoy them.

It is almost time for me to go to work and I have another letter to write before I go. So my Dearest little girl I will write again soon. So be patient and please don’t get furious if you do not get a daily letter.

Lots and bushels of love

Fred

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8/3/1923 they pay little attention to table affairs

Houston, Tex

Aug 3, 1923

My Dearest Little Girl,

I had quite a surprise this morning. Something that I did not expect so soon. I had just gotten back from town and Emily told me that I had a letter. I did not expect to hear so soon from you. But Dear it made me so happy to get that masterpiece from you. It gives a person a reason for living to get such a wonderful letter like that one. Gee Florence I felt so good after reading that letter.

Thanks for the lectures that oration you delivered. I think a few things like that do a person good sometimes. But I think one thing you hit on the head. That is, before I started writing to you, I did look at answering letters, more as a friendly duty than an enjoyable pass time. I really enjoy getting letters more than a person can imagine, but it takes effort for me to sit down and start a letter. It takes more effort to start one, than it does to write after I have started. That statement is also true in Science it takes more “Powar”* to start a thing than it does to keep it going after it is running. I always look forward to the mail, but it seems that I seldom look forward to writing. After I have finished a worthy letter, I feel as it I have accomplished something + look back over my efforts in admiration. I knew that I was neither original with phrases nor accomplished in letter writing. Therefore a good reason why I have not satisfied my little Girl in her long looked for letters.

I am sorry that I impress you as talking as if I had just come to town and was admiring the big buildings. I am sorry this bores you. I think I could talk correctly with a little effort. I have done this more and a means of attracting your attention of what I was talking about than to give you the (?) to give you the idea that I was a country boy, seedy boy. Maybe I do not always talk to others as I talk to you. Maybe you do not know it, or have not observed your actions but while we are upon the subject I might say that I do honestly believe that you are more gifted in writing than in talking. I think you write more convincingly than you talk. You do not seem to express yourself as well verbally as you do by the aid of a pen. This fact of which you have just spoken has no doubt caused you to look down on me with pity and feel sorry for me. I hope I don’t make you feel bad, but while we are at it, let’s talk from heart to heart and not let it affect our feeling in this slightest way. I will try and not talk to simple around you. I could explain my ideas to you or attempt to explain them to you in Scientific terms that you could probably not understand. Thus I go along and try to do my best. I do not attempt to use my vocabulary on you, in fear you may not understand. But I think I will commence to start to begin some day and let you change your mind the slightest bit. I have said things around you that pertained to a few scientific terms and you yelled Physics. I did not know whether you meant that is was a (____?) to you or the Physics you have studied. Thus I tried to portray my ideas in the most common way so that you could grasp the idea. I am not saying this with the attitude of causing bad feelings, but as a means of bringing out facts. Your vocabulary is in different terms than myne so that may have something to do with it. But nevertheless my Dear we will both try to satisfy each other more.

Now as far as the Table etiquette I cannot hand myself much. I may not be as prompt as some people and again I may not know a few of the finer points. I appreciate all that you tell me, so don’t be afraid to tell me. As I have said before Florence, I have not had a chance to learn about this as other people you know in small towns, they pay little attention to table affairs.

Since I have been in Rice I have been where they rise none at all. It is impossible to learn with practically no personal contact. I have been out for meals a few times, but as a matter of fact I observed a few things. You know all people do not use the same systems, or you ought to know it.

I am very sorry that I make my sentences drag and my thoughts absurd. This is partly due to interruptions, partly due to non-concentration. My ideas are crude I know. I can see the great necessity of getting with people that know this stuff. I am going to do this some day.

I may move over with Thomas in a few days. If Aunt Jennie feels like doing a little extra cooking I will. I will know in the morning.

Now Florence my Dear I have dealt with things other than a real letter to you. After I have thought of these things I cannot change quickly and write of love as I should do now. I still have those blues. I thought my heart would melt for you when I kissed you Good-bye in the presence of others. That’s what I call a love kiss. When you looked u pat me with those eyes I could have loved you so much right there. I did my best to keep back sobs and be cheerful. I think I succeeded pretty well too.

Thanks very much Dear for the Special.

I love you heaps and bundles

Your still the devil loses his horns.

Fred

P.S. I am going over to learn some things Mon and Tues and take my exam Wed.

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7/1923 Peace, a poem

This is a poor effort, big boy but it was written under great pressure – especially the last. The rhyme might be wrong, but the exact idea is here, C?

Anyway, take it as it is meant.

Peace

It is midnite – the lights are all turned out.

And the world is quiet and still,

Same for the crickets in the grass,

And the turning of the mill.

The grinding of the wooden wheels

Brings music to the ear,

And the world is wrapped in slumper.

And the night is calm and clear.

The soft low rustle of the leaves

As the wind is passing by,

Whispering soft “The glad time is here,

Be gay and do not sigh.”

The wind goes on – the leaves are still

And the stars are hanging low,

They seem to touch the mountain tops

And hang there in a row.

The crescent moon is dim and pale,

As it slowly sinks from sight.

As the starts keep watch o’er the heaven and Earth

Look down from their dizzy height.

I asked myself why when the hard day was done

The night was so still and so calm,

“That is always the way,” the nite seemed to say,

“It’s the strength of God’s encircling arm.”

I felt quite at rest, for he guards up in sleep.

And he governs the night calm and still.

I closed my tired eyes from the world’s hate and lies

And the moon sank beneath the low hill.

F.M.P.

July 1923

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7/30/1923 Go roll down the straw-stack

Port Arthur, Tex

July 30, 1923

My Dearest Florence;

Just received that newsy letter today. I believe you left Sat, did you not. It is now 8:00 p.m. and I know you are in bed fast asleep. The country is so apetizing too. Don’t eat lots out in the country. So cool. The roosters awaken you a daybreak by their shouts(?) you will have a wonderful time out there., I like the country for a quiet vacation. Go barefooted, squirrel hunting. Go roll down the straw-stack. Go horseback riding. You should learn to chop cotton while you are out there. I’ll bet I can chop more acres per day then you can.

but you forgot one thing i.e. when you are coming to P.A. when shall I expect you. If you haven’t received my Sun letter yet, I said, I live in apt #3 with Chas A Daley. Tel #2669 and when you come, if you & your crowd do not seriously object I wish you would come on up to the rooms & rest yourselves. I don’t see any harm as Mrs. Daley will be here, C? So please tell me about when I can expect you.

Your letter was so dear today. I could have just loved you to death! I enjoyed it so much. You were so natural and made me feel so good. I surely do hope your leg is much better. I am almost well now.

How long will you stay here? How long will I get to see you? I wish you could come Sat or before, any way so you can be here Sunday. You see that would be wonderful. All day Sunday I won’t have a thing to do. I am so thrilled over this I hardly know what to do. I can’t say much in letter as I do not know what to say, better to tell you how glad I am that you are coming and you know how glad I am.

Did you know GoLokey [?] was in Los Angeles and expects to go to U of Cal next fall.

I hope to see you soon my Dear one.

Lots of Love

Fred

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7/29/1923 Have you decided definitely on Rice yet

Port Arthur Tex

July 29, 1923

My Dearest Florence;

I got your great big long and adorable letter yesterday and you can’t imagine how glad I was to get it. It surely did cheer me up. Made me feel so good. I am so glad to hear you are coming. I want you to go to bed so you will be able to come. I think you will be OK by next Sunday. What time are you coming. This is modern apartments #3 1021-9th St. We are in the apt with Chas A Daly. I get home about 3:45 every day. I will be on day shift 7 to 3 till Aug 5. Then from Aug 6th to 10 – 3 to 11. I do not work Sunday. The Tel # is 2669. Just call for me. I’ll tell you how to do it tho’. If I am not here, come on up and make yourselves comfortable until I arrive. I don’t think there will be anything wrong with that. Mrs Daley will be here, and you will not be alone. You could come up here and rest if you get in town while I am at work. It would be so much better then sitting in the car after riding. The Rooms are open to you. Do as you like.

I am glad you were already aware of the things I told you. A person should take heed to things that will probably hinder them. Don’t you think. If you are raving to others about things that bore them, I surely wish you would cut it out. I don’t mean to attempt a lecture but my dear you must realize I don’t want to losse myne, so let’s do things that each of us like. Are you agreeable? Listen Florence my Dear don’t cry so much as you say you do. That’s injurious. I may say things that hurt, but maybe somebody else does too, but please don’t cry. Tell me about it. Maybe that would be better. Florence I am so worried about your leg. Why didn’t you kill that darn dog and have him examined. Even if the dog did want to protect her pups, what is the ratio of the life of a human to a dog and a few pups. Why didn’t you do this. What’s the Dr going to do, wait till you get real sick then kill the dog and examine it after being too late. Maybe the Dr knows his stuff, but a thing like that disgusts me.

We are going to have a bridge party tonite. A Boy is coming over and we are going to have a good time. Johnson and I are not very experienced but we are learning. Roy Chambers (Rice) is coming over Monday or Tuesday nite and we are going to play. We will be sharks when we get back to Houston. I surely do like it. Don’t you? We can have a good time playing?

A boy P.C. Franks (A&M ’22) is in town and we are going to town to see him pretty soon. He’s from El Campo and is an instructor in Math & Military tactics and Castle Heights. I just can’t think of a thing to say. My leg is almost well and it doesn’t bother me as much. I just think the world of you. I am so thrilled about you coming. I can’t think of anything to say. Guess I will have to tell it all is vocal sounds. I think that’s best, eh? Have you decided definitely on Rice yet. Let me hear right soon how your leg is and about what time to expect you. I will keep one eye open all the time. Don’t fail me, I am expecting you.

Lots of gobs of Love

Fred

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7/25/1923 You sure can write interesting letters when you want to

Port Arthur Tex

July 25, 1923

My Darling Florence;

Glad to hear you have had such a wonderful time on your birthday. I sure wished I could have been there to see you enjoy them. Didn’t it bother your leg. It must be OK. I have surely worried about it since you wrote. You know that is a dangerous thing to play with. It was so hot today when I got home from work I was sure sweating and kinda tired too you, just thinking of you as I almost got here and sure enough such a darling letter from the Dearest little Girl. You sure can write interesting letters when you want to. I was just to thrilled over reading it.

My leg is almost well now but still the wound is about this size (see drawing) Still open too. But you see it doesn’t hurt and swells just a little when I work. Of course I am still conscious of the fact that I have been hurt.

I am so awfully tired tonite so Florence my Darling I am going to bed and I will try to write tomorrow and do better. This is surely a poor excuse but I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you. I hope you haven’t taken that letter wrong that I wrote Sun.

Lots and Lots of Love

Your Fred

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7/24/1923 I can’t express myself just right in words of writing

Port Arthur Tex

July 24, 1923

My Dearest Darling Florence;

This is the day isn’t it. This is the great day but for one thing. It’s so unfortunate that this thing had to happen. I am sure sorry and I am worried about hot you are. I am sure you are very much worried too. Does it pain lots. I’ll bet it does if it is as you say the bruise is bad. Only if I could be there to comfort you a little. It surely would be a great comfort to see some one that you care for so much. Florence if I wished for you once, I wished for you a thousand times while I was laid up. Just a sight and a touch of your soft hands and (—?) would have been such a great relief. I am sure you are wishing for me as as I did for you and I only wish I could be there, just for a short while anyway. What did the doctors say about your leg? If I had been you I would have had that form dog killed & examined instantaneously. I would not have waited at all. Why didn’t you do that and play safe, then the doctors would have known how to treat it. Did the doctor cut the wound open and let it bleed, then fill it full of very strong antiseptic. This may sound bad, but that’s what I would have done as soon as he bit me. That is to keep the poison from spreading. Florence my Dear I sure hope you do get much better real soon. Please do the favor of being careful, because that is 90% of cure is being careful and letting nature take its course. Don’t go running around until you are absolutely sure that you are OK. Please do this Florence because I care as much as you do about it.

I am so sorry I wrote that last letter & sent it while you were down. If I had known it I would not have sent it. But Florence my Dear I had it in my system and I had to tell you what I tho’t so if I absolutely wrong, tell me. I hope I am wrong you said in your letter that you were ashamed to admit it but you are a little doubtful about me. There is only one that I care for Florence, and you know who it is. How can you doubt me. All these days down here and no date, not even been in the presence of one girl more then 15 minutes. Florence on Sunday & Sat nite I get so lonesome for you that I think I will go nuts.

Every time I see a Buick my heart misses a beat. The only time I wish I could have a date is Sun afternoons but I think I can get along without them very easily. I have not met very many girls, and most of them are wall flowers.

But listen my Dear there is only one whom I care for and that one has a mighty strong hold on me. Oh! How I wish I could talk to you. We could understand each other so much better. I can’t express myself just right in words of writing. Florence, you know how I care for you, so don’t forget that I love you lots & lots. Many times I have told you, but a little repetition is impressive. I wish you all the luck in the world. Lots & lots of love.

Be good my Dear

Fred

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Revisiting old letters

If you have recently started reading the letters and have not checked out early ones, why don’t you take a moment to explore the first posts? The first one is from Florence as she goes through her day at Central High School.

Thank you to all who have been following along. Feel free to comment or ask any questions, I love hearing from everyone!

Sheridan

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7/22/1923 You have passed over the line now

Sunday

7-22-23

My Dearest Florence;

You have passed over the line now. The 16th is gone and the 17th has started. Do you feel so ancient as all that. Isn’t it awful to get so old when you feel so young. Sure seems queer, eh? I wish you a happy time on this day when it arrives. I surely wish I could be with you.

We have been sitting around all day. Doing nothing. Reading, played cards a while, etc. I wrote you a letter today but you will not get it until Wed. But I wanted to write this to let you know I am thinking of you and only wished I could have been there today. It’s been so lonesome and I didn’t get a letter yesterday from a sole. Not one.

I must get ready for Supper now. Be good & don’t forget your Freddie. Did you get the little remembrance.

Lots of Love

Fred

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