June 13, 1924

Cap.n Big Boy – dearest Beloved,

You’re way way up north – way far away from Houston and Florence way up there with some more of your kind. It’s a little different from being down here where people look up to you, isn’t it? Up there, there’s so many good men who are aiming at the same thing you are and it’s merely a matter now of hours or minutes to prove who is best, and my big boy is going to be one of the best to carry away the honors of the Boston Olympic try-outs!! Proud? Fred, I’m already so proud of you that I want to scream to all the world that I’ve got the best, most wonderful pal in this whole universe! No one would argue with me, no, never, for people don’t argue when they know they’ll be beaten.

Freddy boy, come on, let’s put Rice on the map, let’s fight on for dear old Rice, and next year we’ll share the honors. How’s that? Cause what’s mine is yours, you know, and what’s yours is mine? N’est ce pas? But truly Fred, Rice will look up to you more even than they do now. As Doc. Bray said, Rice has never had the opportunity of sending a real good man away and those that they have sent away haven’t proved to be much. Let’s break the record, sweetheart mine. Let’s show the council that Stancliff of Rice. Captain of the R. I. Track Team ’24, ’25 isn’t worthless – they didn’t waste $300 sending him to Boston only to have him come back the same way the rest did, beaten. You’ve never been beaten in a meet that really counted and you won’t be beaten in this one. Come on, hot shot, let’s fire off. There won’t be a second of Friday and Saturday that I won’t be thinking of you and wishing you just the best of luck. So with my moral strength and love, and your physical strength and courage, we’ll get another gold medal and go across!

Big Boy it’s more than hard to tell you all this when my desires and selfishness keep crying “Fred, come back home, come back to me. Life’s so empty without you.” Somehow, my littleness keeps saying “you’ve sacrificed so much for track. It seems that every time you plan anything for your own pleasure, Fred either has to “work out” or go off to a meet, or go to New Orleans or Boston. It’s track, track, track. Is it worth it? At times, Big Boy, I’ve persuaded myself that I wish you were just a nobody like perhaps, Charlie, just one who was content with studying and having dates and a few things to vary the monotony. But, Fred dearest, my heart says I’m wrong, and truly I know I am wrong. I could never learn to love one who was not unusual and useful to the world. It was your track and your glory which made me go with you long enough to really love you. And I’ve been willing to sacrifice my own pleasure and desires in merely knowing that you were doing things that were different and which only a few could do. Would I whom you have known nearly 2 years ruin an ambition toward which you have been working and aiming for 7 long years?

Never, because I love you too much. It’s hard, I admit, to say goodbye for perhaps 3 months, or ven 1 month. I’ve been with you so little in the past yea, and now when I’ve planned days of fun, picnics, trips to Galveston, Sylvan, oh – just lots of things – why, you go off. The little poems which I believe you’ve heard comes to my mind.

“I hate to be cheated, I never would buy. Long years of repentance with a moment of joy and perhaps for years to come there will be picnics, and dances and fun, but perhaps never again will you have the opportunity that you have now, and I love you enough to bid you goodbye, good luck and God bless you. Forget that there was ever a low down feeling in my heart for your track. Forget that I was ever small enough to want you to give up track and training for me to have a good time. That’s a side of your pal which has bee revealed to you only today, and a side which she shall try never to show again. That’s the Florence you knew last June. The Florence who has just left Rice says “Fall to, Big Boy, picnics and dances and busted plans are nothing absolutely nothing compared to the pride of knowing that Fred won in the Olympics. That last Florence is the one you love most.

I’ll be lonesome, and I’ll miss you, but absence makes the heart grow fonder, and when you so pull back in here next fall or perhaps a little sooner, from a wonderful trip abroad – why, I’ll be so glad to see you. I think I’ll fall on your neck and kiss you a hundred times and refuse to ever let you out of my sight again. See, I’m expecting you to win.

Fred, dearest, I’ll tell you again, as I told you before the New Orleans try-outs, you can win. If you again put all my moral strength and love with your physical strength and courage, you can’t do other but win. Show those men who think they’re pretty good that Stancliff of Rice wins the medal and the trip, and then watch the old Statue of Liberty fade out of site, for you’ll be on your way across. I somehow know you’ll win and listen,  may I whisper another tiny secret in your ear? The gypsy says if you can exert all your energy, you can place at Paris. Come on, Fred, let’s go.

I won’t be with you in body, but there will never be a moment in the days that I won’t be thinking and dreaming of the boy who is bringing honors back to the girl he loves, to say nothing of the mother who knows there’s no one like her Fred.

You might never have these opportunities again, you might never have these thrills. So take them while you can. You’ll have me a long time yet, perhaps, I hope, but any way all next year, and there’s never another to take Fred’s place. To the ends of my life. Fred has his own particular place in my heart which no one can ever fill.

I have been writing so fast and furious on this letter that my hand almost ceases to function. It’s abominably hot and cursedly close, so I expect I had better quit.

Please, Freddy boy, if you do win at the meet wire me immediately and if you don’t win, why write me a long letter special delivery and tell me what you did. Please, please, please. And in all the wild scramble, dear boy, don’t forget your mother.

And one more thing, if you should happen to win or place even down to the lowest placing position at Paris please oh please in the name of mercy, cable me, and then I’ll spread the news. But you know how anxious I’ll be, and if you have to spent the last cent you have over there and walk to the “chamin de fer” (That’s French for railroad station) and beg, buy or borrow or steal enough money ro get home on, cable me. I can bear almost anything rather than suspense.

I hope this letter has added the inspiration and will cause the results that my letter at New Orleans did.

Freddy boy, please show me that all my sacrifices (which most girls wouldn’t make) have not been in vain and win for me and your mother.

And remember, you’ve got all the love of my heart with you, and all the good luck and best wishes.

Don’t forget me and win for your very own true blue pal.

Florence

Mr. F. J. Stancliff

Boston, Mass

To be opened June 13 at nite after the preliminaries.

Freddy boy, now that things are beginning to come your way.

And you’re “star” athlete in a school where athletes hold full sway,

And the girls and boys of the Institute all know you for what you are,

And will try to win your favor and will praise you to the stars.

And you’ve made a name for yourself, big boy, that folks respect and admire.

That will make you greatly in demand, for folks will ever tire.

Of doing things for those who appreciate what’s done.

And will love to help you all they can and give you all the fun

That belongs to a deserving boy – to one who can do things right,

Who can conquer despite all obstacles, and his own hard battles fight.

You’ve gained a lot by modesty, and by being staunch and true,

Your disposition can’t be beat – we’ll admit that, too.

You’ve won your place – just count the cost. How much is it worth?

You’ve made your friends, built up a name that’s respected on this Earth.

You’ll win more glory in the years to come and be happier every day,

For you’ve the makings of a more, you’re headed just that way.

But, Fred, when you’re on this road to success, and fame it within your call.

Remember us poor insignificant folks who can’t do things at all.

Who have to sit back and await our turn which perhaps will never come,

While you are upward climbing, we will fight for the smallest crumb

To live on, waiting for the better days” until our hair turns white,

But you will be up the ladder – looking toward the light.

But don’t forget your glory, there’s folks who think of you.

And hold your name and remembrance in hearts that are always true.

Some day when you’re successful, you’ll remember the friends that you made,

Back in your old college days, those memories that never fade.

Remember that there’s a heart beating true for a blue-eyed captain of track,

A heart that quickens when it hears the name that brings the memories back.

A girl who has tried to help you, and one who has likely been true blue,

Who has love you with all her heart and soul, who has trusted you faithfully, too.

Is waiting at home for the one whom she loves, the man who has won and been strong.

In the battle of life. He has honored himself, and is worthy of having her long

For him when far away, and is having success so that he

May prove worthy of them who have cared for him, and there the whole world may see.

There is one in the world who is really worth while, who can climb to the height of the heights,

And can gain all the things that are really worth while, who’s entitled to all the rights

Of a man. So, health, wealth and fame will follow you thru,

But remember that always a girl in the South is waiting for one who is true

To her, So, go forth in the world and climb high, and reach to the heights above,

Then return to the South and claim her as yours for you know it is mutual love.

F.M.P.

Dearest Boy,

Perhaps something about the country you are travelling in now will suggest the peace of this poem. I’m sure you could go to sleep on it.

Think of me often, big boy, and remember have a good time for us both.

Florence

On Envelope:

Open Wed June 11 not before and not until then

Monsieur Frederick Jacob Stancliffe

Somewhere on the globe

Tuesday, June 10, 1924

Hi there, old record breaking scout!

Are you going to set the world’s record in the discus throw held at Paris? Or maybe you’ll break all previous records and blossom forth like the Baylor freshman did! not!!! Well, here’s wishing you luck, and victory. Remember, there’s always one behind you pushing you as far on as she can.

I’ve been fighting the blue devils and myself lately. I simply couldn’t persuade myself that I wanted you to win and then go to Paris. I knew it wasn’t right for me to feel that way, and I determined to clear my thought: for you couldn’t possibly win with selfishness and blueness in my heart. So Bravo! I have called forth the unselfish love which has helped you win the other meets and can’t fail you in this one, and now we’re going to win!!!! You know, I had to adjust myself to being without you. I had to quit wishing and wishing for you, and I had to stop the ache in my heart.

You’ve gone for nobler, for better things, you’ve earned what you get and, my dearest boy, no one deserves it and is more worthy of it than you. Even Rice says so! and what is even more, Big Boy, what you are doing now will go down in history. For Rice Honor – Rice Glory! Come on, Rice is betting on Stancliff! All your friends are betting on you! People who have never  before been enthused over Rice athletics say they’ll “hand it to Stancliff!” He’ll put Rice on the map! and he’ll go across! Everyone is betting Stancliff! Your mother is so proud of her boy! And Mary – and oh! everyone admits Rice has never yet had a real athlete who counted! and they almost speak your name with awe! Everyone claims you! and after all, you’re really divided between 2 people, your mother and me! I won’t say that I’m proud of you, for, of course, I’m not at all, but never the less I’m waiting for my telegram and when I get it you’ll find whether I’m proud or not!

Incidentally, that same telegram either keeps me here or sends me away! Betty Buhler and Dimple have both invited me to visit them this summer. I told them I thought I would go to El Campo sometime during the summer and they said be sure and tell them when so that they could come get me and take me back to see them. Then from there, I’ll go to San Marcos, then San Antonio! I don’t look forward to this trip so violently much, for I believe I’d much rather have you here than to leave, but since you can’t be here, and since you’ve done things “For Rice’s Honor” why, I’ll just go ahead and be happy. After all, big boy, there’s all next year!!!

I went to see Betty and Dimple last nite, those are two of the sweetest girls I ever met. Mrs. Buhler knows Mother real well, they used to play together in Victoria, and Miss Dean remembers all Mother’s family. Also Miss Dean praised Stancliff up to the skies (and carried me with her) and she knows Stancliff has a marvelous chance to win, etc, etc, etc!!!! I say and listened, and thrilled and thrilled! ‘Cause I felt way down deep in my heart, I had done just a tiny bit toward helping him win so far, and that I was sponsor of the track team, and the Captain’s darling and inspiration, and after all, Fred needs me, and that is sweet to know. Heaven knows I’ve tried to love you with a sweet, pure, unselfish love, and I don’t think I’ve failed. So, Big Freddy boy, come on, let’s go! and win! Stancliff of Rice won’t disappoint us! Everybody says so. And Rice has never had another like him, and will never have another! For there’s never another like Fred, and there will never be another. They made the pattern then destroyed it and were satisfied with their work! And right they were. And, big boy, I’m not kidding or joking, or handing a line when I say that!

Yesterday, I went the picture show and saw the Pathe news. They showed scenes taken at the recent meet at Cambridge, but only pictures of the runners. Just think, If you win, you might have the movies snap your picture!!! My goodness!!!

Great honk, but it’s hot! Anyone would think I had just come out of a swim, and hadn’t dried off. Oh, it’s awful.

We went to my uncle’s yesterday and borrowed some of his clothes. Oh! man, such a boy as I’m going to make. We tried it all out last nite, laughed so much we were actually weak. Now, here’s the costume, white sport shoes (very sporty!) white flannel trousers (and oh boy, they fit!) a white shirt (with sleeves about 5 inches too big around, and much, much too long. Men are surely queerly built creatures) a real striking looking silk tie (and I can tie it, too, as you found out) a blue coat, and I’ll tell the world it fits! Couldn’t want better! We couldn’t find a straw hat that would look even natural on us, so I guess  we’ll compromise on a felt one. My hair will be slicked straight back and if I do say it myself, I don’t make a terribly ugly boy but it’s so plain that I’m a girl. Anybody could tell, by my walk, but mainly by my mop. I’m used to girl’s ways!But, say, you know I used to wish I was a boy. I used to say oh, if I was only a boy! Say, one nite of wearing collars and long sleeves will be more than enough! (Give me my sleeveless dresses!! and low necks! Those collars that nearly choke a person and coats! Great honk! Being a girl isn’t so all fired bad, after all. There are heaps of disadvantages but, I believe, I’ll take them and sleeveless dresses and no coats and great grief even tho boys do wear socks, Skirts fly yo be sure, but -oh-heck I’m glad I wasn’t born a boy. Now, if I could be a boy like you who could do something, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, but gosh! to be a boy, and a nobody. I’ll take my life in girl’s clothing. Whew, We’re going to take some pictures and if I can I I’ll send you some! Oh! man, as a bot, I make the best golf club you ever saw!

Well, I guess I had better ring off. When you’re gone I spend half my time writing to you; when you’re here I spend about 1/4 of my time with you or talking to you, due either to studies or to – well track, or something. I wonder how it would feel to have you here with only your days taken up. Oh, my dear boy, I can’t imagine having more than a Sat nite date with you. But I fear me greatly that this summer shall pass, and next fall will come before Frederick Jacob Stancliff will return home from a few months of travel and fame across the bounding deep! But, Fred, old timer, I’m betting on you! I ask only one thing, that is, that you write to me every tinyest chance you get.

And remember whether you win or not, you’ve already put Rice on the map! and that we all love you tho you taste the fruits of victory or defeat, just come back to us the same old dear boy. But I am sure “For Rice’s Honor and Rice’s Glory, we will fight on” you with your strength, and me with my love and pride for you. Let’s go, big boy, we’ve done it before. We can do it again, can’t we.

With all the love in the world from the same old pal

Florence.

Forgot to tell you I was going to sport your medal around for a watch fob. Wish I had your little own or the Olympic medal, boy Howdy!