Love Letters of Fred and Florence
A Collection
6/5/1924 A dance is almost meaningless and dull when you aren’t there
June 5, 1924
Dearest of all big athletes
Did you think your very own darling would even consider letting you go off where you couldn’t hear from her very often without fixing up some plan for making you remember that there’s always one who loves you back in the home town (not meaning El Campo) waiting – waiting – watching every mail for a word, and waiting til the one she loves comes back. (Gosh, that’s all one sentence – some mouthful! SO here’s my plan. In each of the enclosed letters you’ll find something to remind you that there’s one in the world who has stuck by you thru thick and thin. There’s one, big boy, who can’t say she’s glad to see you leave her, but who is really so proud that it is her “Cap’n Bog Boy” who is getting the honors and glory which he has earned and deserved.
Of course, dear heart, I haven’t been thinking or considering the Olympics when I’ve refused to either let you go to dance, etc. because you were training. Somehow, it never entered my mind that you would ever gain the fame and glory you have now. I was only trying to be the pal you love. I only wanted to help you train and keep the temptation out of your way. It was hard sometimes to say “no” when people would ask me to a dance. i wouldn’t go with another boy, for somehow, strangely, it’s never the same without Fred. A dance is almost meaningless and dull when you aren’t there. Boys in comparison with you are so darned incipid and shallow compared with my Big Boy. So I’d rather sacrifice my fun, and wait until Fred can go with me, and then I’d know I’d have a better time. You know, they say when a person’s in love they think, dream and exist on but one thing, that’s the one of their dreams. And, of course, neither your heart nor mine have been moved by the “gentle passion” of love. Personally, at the present moment I’m immune from loving —– (anyone but you)
I never realized or believed that you would ever go as far up in sports as you have. I tried to help you train merely because it was right, because I wanted you to win. And Fred, you have won! Do you know that you have gained the next highest step in Sportsdom, and do you know that deep, deep in her heart Gypsy Sunshine believes that strength (which at times you have used on me, pardon) will somehow come forth and make you throw that discus far – far out into the field – and win – perhaps a second place. The gypsy who knew you at first, and who later took you into her heart and home prophesies that you won’t be beaten.
If you follow the directions on the rest of the letters I’m sure you won’t get horribly lonesome for me and I’m also sure that even tho you are chasing around too much to get many letters, these that are here will keep you from being too lonesome. Remember, tho, Big Boy, I love you almost better than life itself, and win for me, won’t you?
Florence.
4/20/1924 and love is wayward.
Easter nite –
Dearest old Fritzie boy –
My heart’s just so full. The more I look at the dear lilies, the more thrilled and happy I get. The more I think and realize that if only Fritz would be as sweet and thoughtful and dear to me always, I’d give him my very life in return. If he’d only forget about chips – about jealousy – about any other boy having even the ghost of a chance at either my heart or my lips – and just fill my heart and my life so chuck full of Fred that I didn’t have eyes for another living soul. But, sweetheart, I’ve just got to have attention. I was made that way. I’m not so violently selfish, I don’t think. I get pleasure out of seeing other people made happy and I do love above all to do the little things for Fred that somehow my soul just leaps up to do – just the little attentions that thrill a mortal to death. I have to watch myself to keep from showering all the things I want to on you, and I know you would consider me a sentimental fool. But I just have to have the little things in life – or I’m awfully miserable. Please sweetheart, don’t think I’m telling you all these things just to be talking about myself, but I want to love you. I want to let you be my very world – just king of the universe in my heart, but somehow that king has to uphold certain of my ideals. I know one can’t expect perfection in any mortal, and I don’t expect perfection, but I just can’t force myself to so completely forget my own individuality that I can put up with the one ideal I wanted in the boy I love. It’s an ideal I’ve held for about 10 years. That’s why I’m trying so hard to get you to see things my way. Do you understand – or do you think I’m really crazy?
Fred, sweetheart, listen, I don’t want other boys. I don’t want their attentions, their dates. I want yours, but sometimes when I don’t get them I feel so lonely – that’s why I have to have friends. I know sweetheart, that you can’t give me now all you’d like to, I know that you can’t do things you’d like to for me, and that is exactly why you mustn’t be jealous. Why you must put absolute confidence and trust in my love for you, and why you must remember always that if I find a man whom I could love better than you, I’d would be the last thing that you’d have – if I could find another.
I feel that way about you, dear. If you ever found a girl whom you loved better than your old pal, Florence. I’d give you to her right out of my arms, not without a fight, to, I’d fight grim Death to keep you, but one’s heart can’t be controlled – and love is wayward. To give you up would tear the heart out of my body – years and years would pass before I forgot the thrill of your arms – the whispered words, “Dearest Darling”, “sweetheart”, old girl, and I’d never forget Fred – but good grief. I’m not planning to lose you. My hold on you is loose, awfully loose. You know that any time you’re free to step out – you’re free to go and do as you please. There’s only one thing I insist on, that is, Saturday nite is mine. To the end of your life and mine, Saturday nite will be a memory (I hope it will always be a reality) of Fred and Florence, and to no one else will Saturday nite belong – ever. The other thing is this – as long as you’re going with me, if you do go with someone else, she must be a girl who is worthy of your friendship. Don’t go with the girls who are beneath you. I need not say all that for I know Fred too well. But I just want to tell you, dear, that you’re free as the wind. My hold on you is love. And oh, Fred, do all you can to get such a hold on me, you have such a wonderful start, all you have to do it to fill my heart and life so full of Fred that I haven’t even had a chance to think of anything else, or anyone else. For, after all, big boy, I want just you. I want to be yours. I want you to call me your own, to have the right to take me in your arms, and offer me a haven of protection and a heaven in paradise. It’s all up to you. That’s why I want so bad to tell you how you can hold me close, so that I’ll never want to escape.
You said this afternoon how you wanted some day to have a big beautiful home and plenty of money. I do, too. And I wonder what could be quite so wonderful as to help you build a home like that, and to call it ‘ours‘. But that’s rather previous, isn’t it? Hurry up and finish school and be a millionaire, won’t you? Please?
Oh, my head’s just throbbing, I’ve had so much excitement today, the lilies knocked me out, made me even cry a little before I came in to you this morning. Then the way you conquered yourself when Bruce called. Fred, if you’d do that oftener, I’d feel like I really could be supremely happy with you always. It shows you’re a man, that you’ve got something else in you beside just the fulfillment of your own desires. And gee, I loved you a thousand times more if such could be possible.
And, you know, a fellow shouldn’t another one a little pleasure once in a while, especially when he knows he’s winning the race, and the other fellow knows it, too. For no one else has the ghost of a chance, my heart’s gone, never to be returned, I hope. You said once that you weren’t so keen about entering the race for my heart, or words to that effect. Who mentioned a race?
Why race when you’ve already reached that goal post? And you didn’t know it. That’s why I say I won’t be jealous. There’s really very little reason for jealousy, unless you’re afraid you’ll lose me, and rest assured, old boy, I’d hang onto you for grim death. There are very few boys in the world who are worth hanging onto but Fred is one. So you could laugh outloud in a boy’s face and tell him to “strut his stuff” and you’ll strut a little harder. In a minute’s time you’d have me swinging around your neck in broad daylight. See how many secrets I’m telling you? Please, Fred dear, if you love me – if you want to win me in this surest way and hold me just listen to the few words I say – and if other questions arise, go to Mother. She knows me better than any one.
And while I’ve been writing this, I know what you’ll be thinking. My heart isn’t won yet entirely. I know it. I know that there are girls galore who are every bit + even more attractive than I. However, I do my best every day to make you think there’s only one Florence, and I don’t let up a minute hardly because there’s only one thing more valuable to me than Fritz, and that one thing is Fred Jacob Stancliff.
And now I must go. Just remember, love, like a rose, comes but once. It watered and cared for in the bud, when it is full blown it will last a long time. Love however, if it is love, lasts thru all eternity. It’s immortal. Make my love like that, won’t you. You can do it so easily. After all, I love you.
Florence
0 Comments
Filed in Letter From Florence
3/2/1924
Saturday, March 2
Sweetheart mine,
Words are so weak when one’s heart is full. Haven’t you found it so? And I couldn’t either in words or in writing tell you my thoughts today.
My great big adorable boy is 22! Goodness! Somehow, tho, I never connect you with age. I never think of you as being a certain age. I think of you not in human age but in ideal character. You didn’t know that, did you? When I think of you which is only once a day (and that is all day long) I think of honor, trust, truth, strength, gentleness and love. What, dearest boy, could a girl value more in a boy than these qualities?
Dearest boy, it doesn’t seem that I’ve known you for a year and 4 months, does it? Still, I can scarcely remember the time when Fred wasn’t my whole thought! You’ve meant so much to me especially since I’ve loved you really – Sometimes you seem almost too good to be true.
Big Cap’n Fritz, do you know Fate has been wonderful to us? Haven’t things just turned out wonderfully? Sometimes it’s hard for us to bear our school work and not being together very much, but Fred, dear heart, have you stopped to think for a second that perhaps Fate is keeping us separated until our love is proven. Until we find it is the kind of love which will last – which will endure the tests of life. If it is, then we’ll always be happy, if not, then, Big Boy, it’s best that we find out without heartache. Don’t you think so? But perhaps it’s all for the best, who knows?
Dear heart, do you remember a year ago, at your birthday party? Oh, you’ll never know how happy it made me to see you pleased over that party. Why, all the trouble, thoughts, time and worry for fear it wouldn’t be a success were all repaid when you told me what a wonderful surprise and thrill it was! I love to do things for you, Fred.
Why, I wouldn’t trade you off for 2 bits!!!
Did you think perhaps, that I had forgotten your birthday? It hasn’t been mentioned between us, but do you suppose I could forget my big boy’s birthday? I never forget those things, n’est ce-pas?
These are the physics laws I told you I had to learn before I came out, C?
And Fred, isn’t it grand that we’ll have the opportunity to be together on your birthday. I was scared all my plans would go astray because unless I cut class in the morning I couldn’t see you because you had lab all afternoon. I was just wondering how I could just wish you a happy birthday and tell you I loved you and it seemed to be impossible under the circumstances, than our angel of goodness and love came in and said we would have a holiday! Couldn’t I have shouted?
Boy Howdy!
Haven’t the Fates been grand to us? Even if you weren’t with me on my birthday, you were here in mind – and I can always know you’d like to be here.
Things have been wonderful! and every day makes me know I love you better than nearly anything on this great green Earth. You’re such a glorious boy!
You’re expecting me soon, so I had best stop.
Always and ever your own darling
Florence
12/30/1923
El Campo, Texas
Dec 30, 1923
My Dearest Florence;
Last nite was Sat nite? I surely did miss you too. Isn’t it awful. Nothing to do last nite. Sad, isn’t it? I went to town and a few of us had a Big Bull pen. Then about a dozen were dancing in the back of a confectionary. They wanted me to come back and dance but since I did not care much about it, I did not go back. I need the practice bad enough, no doubt, but I did not care so much for the bunch. Another thing too, most of ’em could beat me dancing, just lots. I am going to leave it up to you to teach me more about dancing. How about the new steps?
I thought sure that I would have a letter yesterday, but no, I did not. I am sure I will get one today tho’. Your letters are so wonderful and make me feel so good. If you knew how much good they did, you would sure write often. “sabe senorita” But nevertheless Florence, it won’t be long before we can tell it to each other and not have to write it. It was so lonesome at times that I Could have cried “Nobody knows but my pillow and me” I would wake up at night and just wonder whether you were awake and if you were thinking of me, as I was of you. I sure do miss you. But Florence Dearest Darling, just think how happy I will be to see you. Can you feature it. Oh Joy.
Has it rained very much is Houston since I left. It hasn’t here, but the sun has not shined over 2 hours since I came home.
it’s the pen and not me
I just looked at my writing. How do you make it out. I can’t, excuse me please
I get so disgusted with the mud that I don’t know what to do. There is nothing here to do. Picture show is a joke. and that’s all there is.
I suppose Ike will be back early to see Jessamine before she leaves. Do you college girls have a big time there. I’ll bet you do. All of us here get together all talk of old times, tell tales, etc. Do you “feministic creatures” (he he) do the same. How do you like the above expression. Does it make you furious. Sorry ___?
Florence Darling I cannot write much because there isn’t anything to say, but I love you just bushels. I can’t tell you how much, because I don’t know what there is large enough to measure, so we will have to leave it and SLove,dFMP
Do you understand the expression. What is it? Oh that’s a deep dark blue secret. Yes siree that is a secret, just for us two.
Mama is having our new years dinner today instead of Tuesday. Just for me, because I will not be here then. Wish you could have it with me. Wouldn’t we have fun.
Say do you know that most every night that I have been home I have slept 11-12 hrs. Ought to get fat, shouldn’t I. Maybe so. Florence I will close, sending you all of my love and remaining always
Your Fred
0 Comments
Filed in Letter from Fred
12/28/1923 we have quite a conglomeration of affairs
El Campo Texas
Dec 28, 1923
My Dearest Florence.
I am feeling blue this morning. So blue that I don’t know what to do. My grades came in. Sure was a fright, too. I busted EE300. What do you think of that. I thought that I had a half chance to pass it, but I guess the chances were more against me. I will sure have to study this next time. But I made 3 in Math 300 and that was tolerable good. Since some say that math is the hardest Junior Engineering course. But think of it, Florence, I busted E.E. If I bust it again it will mean another year in Rice. If I do bust it, I think my college days will end. He could have given me a 4 – as well as a 5.
It sure makes me feel funny. Some say Jr Eng’g is hard. It must be. But just watch out this next term and I will study some. I’ll have to. Did you get by with all of your subjects. That’s dumb to bust anything, isn’t it? But nevertheless I did, and I can’t help it, so why cry over it.
We went over to see the New School building this morning. Cost $140,000. It was the first time I had been in it. Looks good, but I didn’t get to go to school in it. Boo hoo
Say we had a big time yesterday. We see all the trains go through, when down town. Some thrill too. All of the boys play marbles here. So before the 3 o’clock train came in, we bought some marbles and were having a great game. We were at the Station and when the train came in, we were so interested that we did not even see the passengers a-tall. We played right on. Three Rice boys, 1 Texas I, A&M. We played some marbles too. We got 50 for 5¢. and we borrowed shooting marbles from some of the small boys and when we got through, we gave the kids the marbles and it tickled ’em to death. Just think 50 of them. That was the only thrilling thing that we could find to do. I sleep about 11 and 12 hours each nite. Plenty?
Florence I feel so bad over my 5 that I can’t think of a thing to write. This is such a sorry letter that I hate to mail it, but you will be glad to get a little writing from Fritz, even tho’ it’s not the best. You can imagine how I feel. Chas just phoned and said a letter. I will have to hurry and eat and get down there to see it.
Time out for a while please
Just finished reading your letter, but Florence, what’s wrong. about time you are getting over those crazy spells. Don’t you think so? Don’t you feel good? Well, you will next Tuesday when I come back to Houston, even tho’ things do not come out the way I want them to. That will be about ten days our of Houston. I will hate to leave the folks, but I will surely be glad to get back to Houston. Especially to see my Darling Florence.
You surely didn’t feel good at all when you wrote this last letter, but you will soon get over it. now when I am trying to write I feel blue, etc and can’t write, so we have quite a conglomeration of affairs. But we will be O.K. by next Tuesday won’t we Florence. Thus grade proposition kinda upset me a little, but I will be over it soon. By the time I get your next Darling letter, Oh Boy. You can write some of the sweetest letters.
The one I got yesterday was a masterpiece. How do you combine your words to make such expressions. I wish I could do it. I have to read your letters over several times, they are so interesting and Darling you make me feel like a million Dollars when I get your letters. I can’t tell it like you can just as you say, we both have it bad. I know it, but how can I help, but to love you, Florence. I don’t see how I can help it. I don’t much want to help it, because I have never before seen another like you. But why I care so much I cannot say, but I sure do. We are both yet young, but I am sure we both know the idea of what true friendship is.
Florence my Darling, I am going to quit for this time. I can’t write letters today. I don’t feel like it, but I love you the same as always. And always will. I will try to do better the next time.
I think of you so often, and just wonder what you are doing and what you are thinking about.
With all my love
your Fred
0 Comments
Filed in Letter from Fred
12/27/1923 all the thrill we get here is to meet the trains and see them go through.
El Campo, Texas
Dec 27, 1923
My Darling Florence;
Well, now. I don’t know but the general opinion is that some one has been forgotten. Do you suppose that my little Florence is sick and can’t write or that she is having too good a time with Some one else that she cannot find time to write or that she cannot be bothered with such a minor detail. Even so, something may keep you from writing I take it upon myself to write. I suppose you would like to get letters, even if you don’t write. What’s wrong Florence.Every day after each mail I have found nothing but disappointment. You letter came Christmas morning and you can’t realize how glad I was to get it. I know that someone was thinking of my. So something must be wrong – ?
It it wasn’t for staying with my folks here I would have been back to Houston already. There is nothing at all here to do. I get so tired doing nothing. I went to bed last nite at 8:00 PM and got up at 7:30 AM. Some sleep, eh? I have gained about 2# since I have been home.
I am thinking that maybe I will leave here the morning of the 1st I will get in Houston about 1:30 PM
Do you suppose it would be possible to meet me and let me with you the rest of the day. ie as much as possible. If not in the afternoon that night and the night of the 2nd. You see I would like to spend part of my vacation with you. Because we have both been so worried throughout the term that now we haven’t anything to worry us. My grades are not here yet, but I think I got along ok. But really Florence I would like to do that if you would like too. I could come sooner as I am just a little bit tired of the place already. What do you say?
There is not much news here, so there is not much to say. They had a half-witted dance last nite out at the edge of town. A piano and drummer for music. The Roads are so bad that it is almost impossible to do anything. I did not want to go since my Darling Florence was not here to go with me.
About all the thrill we get here is to meet the trains and see them go through.
I have about 25 minutes left to go mail this on the train so I will cut this short so I can mail it. I have to walk about 14 blocks so you see I will have to step. I am expecting a letter from you at noon. If I don’t get it. Oh Florence, something’s bound to happen. It’s a serious proposition. What? Oh that’s a deep dark blue secret. But really Florence without joking I am really and truly lonesome, so please write me often, won’t you. They will do so much good.
Sending you all my love,
your, Fred.
Follow Along
