A postcard
To Mr and Mrs A. B. McClain
Rural Route #2
Lebanon
Leaving Medford
7 pm Sept 4, 1936
Dear Mom and Pop -
Thus far the journey has been very pleasant. A bit warm this afternoon. My package from Marian was stationery and a lovely card. I am beginning to feel quite at home on the train. I'm afraid I'll hate to leave it. I had a half pint of milk for supper. It surely tasted good. I'm afraid I'll be stuffed by the time I get to Rachel's. Things taste good tho!
Love,
Betty
A postcard
To Mr Lee Scott
63 Sherman Street
Lebanon
Martinez, California
September 5, 1936
8:30 am
Dear Lee-
Here I am in a dandy old waiting room with a hours wait ahead. I changed my schedule so as to avoid changing trains a couple of times and now I must wait.
Last thing I saw last night was good old Oregon. First thing I saw this morning was dry old California. It isn't so bad tho. I am sure tired of riding and quite a bit of it ahead yet..
More later,
Bet
A typed letter
postmarked Sept 6, 1936
To Mr and Mrs. Arthur B McClain
128 Pierce St
Coalinga, CA
Sunday Afternoon
Dear Parents:--
I'm here and hot! It really isn't as bad as it might be though.
I had a lovely trip. I think I slept a total of five hours all together. I rented a pillow but there was too much to see to waste time sleeping I had plenty of lunch in fact I bro't some of it home for supper. I didn't change trains at Davis, the conductor told me to change at Martinez instead. I had an hours wait-over there. It wasn't so bad. I met a girl who was going to Los Angeles on the same train so we got to talking and rode together the rest of the way. She worked in Pasadena and had gone to her home in North Dakota for a visit during the summer. The train was late so we didn't get into Fresno until about 3:00. Rachel and Darwin were there to meet me. They had a friend with them, Mrs. Baxley. Her husband is also a teacher. We looked over Fresno a bit. It is a good size city. From what I saw of it I would say it was about the size of Salem. Finally we gathered up my baggage and started for home. From what I saw on the train I had about decided that I wasn't going to like California very well, but as we left Fresno I began to change my mind. We left on an Avenue lined on both sides by Palm trees and Oleander bushes. We turned off this and went through the estate of the man who had planted the trees on the Avenue. It was beautiful! All trees and alfalfa and peacocks. His home was a big grey building built something like a castle. He is dead now and the estate is open to the public. After we had driven through the estate we again entered the Avenue of Palms. We went for miles and miles and all you could was an alley between tall Palm trees. Finally we left that and went through a part of the country that was irrigated. We saw vineyards, cotton fields, olive orchards, and fig trees. We stopped and snitched a few figs. Boy! Are they good right off the tree? From this we entered the desert. You could look for miles and miles and see nothing much but sand and an occasional ranch house with a bit of green around it from the irrigation. The sun was just setting behind beautifully curved sand hills and the scenery was beginning to turn that twilight purple when I saw the first oil wells. From a distance they looked like an old burnt off forest with just the black trunks remaining. As we drew nearer they took on the appearance of a large group of windmills, each with a house at the foot of it. After we had wound through a bunch of hills covered with oil fields we rounded a hill & spread out before us was a little valley with a dark spot in the center. That was Coalinga! I knew instantly that I was going to like it. As we drew nearer I could see it was a town. The evening lights were just coming on and it made a beautiful picture. I shall never forget it. As you enter the town you suddenly leave the desert and are in the midst of a thickly populated town. Whoever said this town was dry must have not been in it very much. The surroundings are very dry but the town itself has more trees and then any other town of it's size that I know of. Almost everyone has some green lawn and a few flowers and shrubs. The Main Street of the town runs north east and southwest. It sort of mixed me up at first but I finally got it straight. We are on a straight street though so I don't feel whopper-jawed all the time. Our house faces west and has an immense eucalyptus tree in front. My room is on the southeast corner. It has two windows and three doors. This is a very poor drawing but it was the best I could do with the knowledge I have of the house after less than 24 hours. For any further information I refer you to Betty McClain, 128 Pierce Street, Coalinga, California.
I went to the Baptist church this morning. It is eight blocks (1/2 mile) from here. I enjoyed the walk because it went through the center of town. They were very nice to me at the church. They don't have a pastor now but a possibility from Arlington spoke this morning. I thought he gave a very good sermon this morning and I plan on going to hear him again this evening.
My letter is very full of mistakes I know. Maybe it's the heat. There's plenty of it alright but it is more bearable than the heat of Oregon. Though I'm sitting here sweating the air feels very breathable not so oppressive if you know what I mean. I think I'll be able to stand the heat very well but of course it's pretty early to tell yet.
I may get a study desk and table later but for the present I am sitting on one end of the trunk with my typewriter on the other.
As I am too lazy to make copies of this letter you may show it to all my friends and relatives and tell them to write to me.
I shall write again soon and tell you all about the school. For now suffice it to say I am here and safe and happy tho' hot.
Love,
Betty
PS. Does this sound like I'm getting California-itis? Well, maybe I am.
a typewritten letter postmarked September 8, 1936
Sunday PM
Dear Lee ---
I arrived here just at twilight last night and I can't begin to tell you the beauties of the trip and this little town. If you would like to know some thing about it ask my Mom to show you a sort of general letter that I wrote, next time you see her.
I like it here very much and so far neither homesickness or heat have gotten me down but this is still the first day.
Marian's package was stationery. This is a piece of it. She also sent a ducky little card with it. The train ride was very comfortable but I got very little sleep.
I am all unpacked and settled quite comfortably in spite of the heat. I have my typewriter on one end of my trunk and myself on the other, but as I am getting rather tired I think I will discontinue until another time.
Tuesday PM
As you no doubt already know I have begun having my good times by a trip to Huntington Lake yesterday. Ruth Fletcher (a girl I met at church) and her boyfriend, Monroe Matthews, and her cousin, visiting here from Virginia, Earnest Culbertson, better know as "Cub", invited me to go with them for a day at Huntington Lake. We had a grand time. The lake is 6 1/2 miles long and 300 feet deep. It was beautiful. We started about 5:30 and came back about 9 or 10 pm. We went out in row boats and motor boats, consequently I have a lovely sunburn on my nose today.
I went to register today. I am not taking what I had planned but I think it will be O.K. I surely had a time finding my way around. But if I didn't know anything I just asked someone. I think I'm going to like it everyone seems so friendly.
Connet's are swell to me. All I have to do is clean up the house in the morning and do dishes and clean up the kitchen in the evening. Take care of the boys also. I am doing that this afternoon. Rachel went to a party. I read to two of the littlest boys and let them rest 1/2 hour per schedule. Now someone has come to see them and they are playing around here. I have better studying facilities now. We hunted up an old table and a chair and so now all I need is my lamp and I think I'll send for that.
No classes tomorrow as that is California Admission Day. I have a big assignment in Physics though so I guess I can keep busy.
As soon as Rachel comes home I am going up town and buy my mother a Birthday Present. I hope I don't melt and run down in my shoes on the way. In other words it is very warm today.
Are you keeping busy and out of mischief?
Write to me some day.
Yours,
Bet
Sunday PM
Dear Lee ---
I arrived here just at twilight last night and I can't begin to tell you the beauties of the trip and this little town. If you would like to know some thing about it ask my Mom to show you a sort of general letter that I wrote, next time you see her.
I like it here very much and so far neither homesickness or heat have gotten me down but this is still the first day.
Marian's package was stationery. This is a piece of it. She also sent a ducky little card with it. The train ride was very comfortable but I got very little sleep.
I am all unpacked and settled quite comfortably in spite of the heat. I have my typewriter on one end of my trunk and myself on the other, but as I am getting rather tired I think I will discontinue until another time.
Tuesday PM
As you no doubt already know I have begun having my good times by a trip to Huntington Lake yesterday. Ruth Fletcher (a girl I met at church) and her boyfriend, Monroe Matthews, and her cousin, visiting here from Virginia, Earnest Culbertson, better know as "Cub", invited me to go with them for a day at Huntington Lake. We had a grand time. The lake is 6 1/2 miles long and 300 feet deep. It was beautiful. We started about 5:30 and came back about 9 or 10 pm. We went out in row boats and motor boats, consequently I have a lovely sunburn on my nose today.
I went to register today. I am not taking what I had planned but I think it will be O.K. I surely had a time finding my way around. But if I didn't know anything I just asked someone. I think I'm going to like it everyone seems so friendly.
Connet's are swell to me. All I have to do is clean up the house in the morning and do dishes and clean up the kitchen in the evening. Take care of the boys also. I am doing that this afternoon. Rachel went to a party. I read to two of the littlest boys and let them rest 1/2 hour per schedule. Now someone has come to see them and they are playing around here. I have better studying facilities now. We hunted up an old table and a chair and so now all I need is my lamp and I think I'll send for that.
No classes tomorrow as that is California Admission Day. I have a big assignment in Physics though so I guess I can keep busy.
As soon as Rachel comes home I am going up town and buy my mother a Birthday Present. I hope I don't melt and run down in my shoes on the way. In other words it is very warm today.
Are you keeping busy and out of mischief?
Write to me some day.
Yours,
Bet
a handwritten letter postmarked September 11, 1936
9/10/36
10:45 PM
Dear Bet,
Received your two cards yesterday and day before and the letter today.
Glad to hear you like the country, climate, etc.
California has several holidays we Oregonians haven't observed yet?
Where is this Huntington? Just a stones throw from Coalinga?
I haven't seen your Mother yet but shall ask to read her letter when I see her.
Sunday was a great day for me. I made a fellow mad Saturday night by telling him I would not hook up his stove for him on Sunday. Well Sunday rolled around and "Hughy" had not accomplished enough on Ward Hoseid's rear addition to his store. (Hugh was putting up the gutter between the buildings). So Ward and I motored to Albany and after so long a time found a sheet metal man by the name of Charles Stone. We brought him back over and I helped ? learned how at least. We worked till seven. Labor (Monday) I did the same thing as we did Sunday. Talk about melting and running down in your shoes I should have melted and run down the gutter. More fun. Hugh finished the soldering Tuesday and then helped me Wed and Thurs out at McWilliams. Last night he took out the tank that they wash cream cans in, in at Ralph Scroggins, and made a new one and put it in this morning. This afternoon he overhauled a furnace for Joel Mayer, the banker. I worked out at McWilliams and hooked up a stove here in town. Last night dad and I and the owner (a Mr. Nichols) took out a bursted hot water tank and put in a new one in a little less than an hour. That is the quickest I have ever done any. We did not have a bit of bad luck.
Tonight is the earliest except Monday night that I have quit work since you left. The night we set the fixtures in Frank Gleasons new house it was 1:30 when we finished. Dad was with me that night.
I have promised Virgil that I will be at his place tomorrow (Friday) night.
I am sorry i know no news or gossip but just haven't heard any.
How about taking a correspondence course in Physics? or writing?
Sincerely,
Lee
9/10/36
10:45 PM
Dear Bet,
Received your two cards yesterday and day before and the letter today.
Glad to hear you like the country, climate, etc.
California has several holidays we Oregonians haven't observed yet?
Where is this Huntington? Just a stones throw from Coalinga?
I haven't seen your Mother yet but shall ask to read her letter when I see her.
Sunday was a great day for me. I made a fellow mad Saturday night by telling him I would not hook up his stove for him on Sunday. Well Sunday rolled around and "Hughy" had not accomplished enough on Ward Hoseid's rear addition to his store. (Hugh was putting up the gutter between the buildings). So Ward and I motored to Albany and after so long a time found a sheet metal man by the name of Charles Stone. We brought him back over and I helped ? learned how at least. We worked till seven. Labor (Monday) I did the same thing as we did Sunday. Talk about melting and running down in your shoes I should have melted and run down the gutter. More fun. Hugh finished the soldering Tuesday and then helped me Wed and Thurs out at McWilliams. Last night he took out the tank that they wash cream cans in, in at Ralph Scroggins, and made a new one and put it in this morning. This afternoon he overhauled a furnace for Joel Mayer, the banker. I worked out at McWilliams and hooked up a stove here in town. Last night dad and I and the owner (a Mr. Nichols) took out a bursted hot water tank and put in a new one in a little less than an hour. That is the quickest I have ever done any. We did not have a bit of bad luck.
Tonight is the earliest except Monday night that I have quit work since you left. The night we set the fixtures in Frank Gleasons new house it was 1:30 when we finished. Dad was with me that night.
I have promised Virgil that I will be at his place tomorrow (Friday) night.
I am sorry i know no news or gossip but just haven't heard any.
How about taking a correspondence course in Physics? or writing?
Sincerely,
Lee
handwritten letter postmarked September 15, 1936
Dear Lee --
Today is Mom's birthday and I'll celebrate by writing to you. I received your much waited for letter today. It sounds to me like somebody's been working hard as usual. It makes me feel sort of guilty, I go around having a good time while you work all the time. There's a plumbing shop up on the main street and every time I go past it I smell and think of you. You asked where Huntington Lake is. It is over 100 miles from here. Sort of northeast I think.
I am at last all registered and going to school. I like it better all the time. It isn't too hard and everyone is so friendly. Do you want me to speak to Mr. Johnson (physics teacher) about you taking a correspondence course? I would ask some good looking girl in our class to help you but there aren't any. I'm the only girl and a whole bunch of guys. Oh, me! Same way in my math class. Oh, my!
Sunday I went to Sunday school and church. In the afternoon Cub (the boy I went went with to Huntington lake) came and got me and took me over to his cousins and we ate ice cream. There were 10 or 15 kids (Baptists) there so I am beginning to get acquainted. After we left there we drove around town (in Cub's uncle's car) and then stopped at a stand and had more ice cream. He brought me home and then came and took me to BY and church and a hamburger afterwards. Tomorrow night we're going to a show. I know this sounds serious but it isn't, as you know, and if I don't tell you someone else will and stretch it a mile. You don't mind, do you?
I wish you were here I could talk to you for hours but I can't seem to write what I want to say.
The weather here is much cooler. In fact the nights are very cold but the days are nice and sunny.
Don't work too hard and too much and don't forget to write.
As ever---
Bet
Dear Lee --
Today is Mom's birthday and I'll celebrate by writing to you. I received your much waited for letter today. It sounds to me like somebody's been working hard as usual. It makes me feel sort of guilty, I go around having a good time while you work all the time. There's a plumbing shop up on the main street and every time I go past it I smell and think of you. You asked where Huntington Lake is. It is over 100 miles from here. Sort of northeast I think.
I am at last all registered and going to school. I like it better all the time. It isn't too hard and everyone is so friendly. Do you want me to speak to Mr. Johnson (physics teacher) about you taking a correspondence course? I would ask some good looking girl in our class to help you but there aren't any. I'm the only girl and a whole bunch of guys. Oh, me! Same way in my math class. Oh, my!
Sunday I went to Sunday school and church. In the afternoon Cub (the boy I went went with to Huntington lake) came and got me and took me over to his cousins and we ate ice cream. There were 10 or 15 kids (Baptists) there so I am beginning to get acquainted. After we left there we drove around town (in Cub's uncle's car) and then stopped at a stand and had more ice cream. He brought me home and then came and took me to BY and church and a hamburger afterwards. Tomorrow night we're going to a show. I know this sounds serious but it isn't, as you know, and if I don't tell you someone else will and stretch it a mile. You don't mind, do you?
I wish you were here I could talk to you for hours but I can't seem to write what I want to say.
The weather here is much cooler. In fact the nights are very cold but the days are nice and sunny.
Don't work too hard and too much and don't forget to write.
As ever---
Bet
handwritten letter postmarked September 21, 1936
9/20/36
In Bed
Dear Bet-
After 12 this Sunday night or should I say Monday morning.
Hello! How are you? Thanks for the picture. How's the weather by now. The last two days have been genuine Indian summer days. Red sunset and all.
Last Saturday I decided to quit work at noon and go to the State Fair. 4:30 PM I got finished up and by 5:30 was leaving town. At the fair I spent time with Eldon. We took in the grandstand entertainment etc. About midnight I left and went to Silverton. I crawled in bed with Paul. He hardly woke enough for me to kick him over for room. About six in the morning we woke the rest of the household by our conversation. We went to Sunday school and church. Had a nice time. Sunday afternoon Paul and I took in the Eastman brothers furnace factory. We had a heck of a time getting hold of Mr. Eastman but we trailed him out to the golf course and made an appointment for that afternoon. We had a grand time. He showed us around and helped me out quite a bit. I or we (Scotts Plumbing Shop) are The Lebanon representatives for Eastman furnaces we have two prospects already. I have to draw a map of the house and send in and they do all the rest. Maybe we will sell a furnace some day?
Sunday night we-- Paul, Edna and I went to Monitor (or something) and got Paul's girlfriend, a Norwegian girl (Seventh-day Adventists, too) We went to a show in Silverton. I got home by 1 o'clock. Edna passed the good word along to me that she thought she could still have a good time with Eldon. He took her around at the fair the Best seats in Horseshow and all. Well before I had contacted Eldon to let him know she appreciated all this - well Saturday night She and Mr and Mrs. Plank arrived in Lebanon, I saw Mr Plank visited a few moments and then saw Eldon's folks in town and visited with them. They said Eldon just came home as they came to town and that there was a letter there for him from Silverton. Well I called the boy up and asked his permission to get Edna and bring her out and then we would take in the town. That is what happened. I played chaffeur.
This afternoon we (the C.E.) had a pot luck dinner at the church and a business meeting. After that Marvin Childers and I with his guitar and our guns were getting into the car and here came Eldon and Edna. We visited and then Marvin and I went east of town and shot a few shells and then I listened to him play. We stopped at the old orchard (on the hill) west of Rose's on the River road and ate grapes and apples till dark and then I went to C.E. After which I rode around a bit and found Edna and Eldon and took them down to the shop. She wanted to visit with Donna so I called but she is on the day shift now. They left and I spent the evening figuring up how much Frank Gleason owes us on the two houses.
I am going to Portland Tuesday. Erma and Orton are to be married the 24th so I am taking the rest of their things up and bringing back a load of plumbing materials.
Mr Dawson slipped Tuesday and hurt his back. He has been in bed since but thinks he'll be able to go to Portland with me and get his son's car and bring it back.
The first of the week I worked out at Tom McWilliams. Have a young fellow from N. Dakota helping me. He seems to be a nice lad. Married and has a boy 18 mos. just a farm boy but quick to learn.
Friday and Saturday we started the house we went out to see. We will work here tomorrow too. The lath is all on except where we have pipes to put in.
I am glad you are having a good time and not too stuck up to help spend the boys money.
Lee
9/20/36
In Bed
Dear Bet-
After 12 this Sunday night or should I say Monday morning.
Hello! How are you? Thanks for the picture. How's the weather by now. The last two days have been genuine Indian summer days. Red sunset and all.
Last Saturday I decided to quit work at noon and go to the State Fair. 4:30 PM I got finished up and by 5:30 was leaving town. At the fair I spent time with Eldon. We took in the grandstand entertainment etc. About midnight I left and went to Silverton. I crawled in bed with Paul. He hardly woke enough for me to kick him over for room. About six in the morning we woke the rest of the household by our conversation. We went to Sunday school and church. Had a nice time. Sunday afternoon Paul and I took in the Eastman brothers furnace factory. We had a heck of a time getting hold of Mr. Eastman but we trailed him out to the golf course and made an appointment for that afternoon. We had a grand time. He showed us around and helped me out quite a bit. I or we (Scotts Plumbing Shop) are The Lebanon representatives for Eastman furnaces we have two prospects already. I have to draw a map of the house and send in and they do all the rest. Maybe we will sell a furnace some day?
Sunday night we-- Paul, Edna and I went to Monitor (or something) and got Paul's girlfriend, a Norwegian girl (Seventh-day Adventists, too) We went to a show in Silverton. I got home by 1 o'clock. Edna passed the good word along to me that she thought she could still have a good time with Eldon. He took her around at the fair the Best seats in Horseshow and all. Well before I had contacted Eldon to let him know she appreciated all this - well Saturday night She and Mr and Mrs. Plank arrived in Lebanon, I saw Mr Plank visited a few moments and then saw Eldon's folks in town and visited with them. They said Eldon just came home as they came to town and that there was a letter there for him from Silverton. Well I called the boy up and asked his permission to get Edna and bring her out and then we would take in the town. That is what happened. I played chaffeur.
This afternoon we (the C.E.) had a pot luck dinner at the church and a business meeting. After that Marvin Childers and I with his guitar and our guns were getting into the car and here came Eldon and Edna. We visited and then Marvin and I went east of town and shot a few shells and then I listened to him play. We stopped at the old orchard (on the hill) west of Rose's on the River road and ate grapes and apples till dark and then I went to C.E. After which I rode around a bit and found Edna and Eldon and took them down to the shop. She wanted to visit with Donna so I called but she is on the day shift now. They left and I spent the evening figuring up how much Frank Gleason owes us on the two houses.
I am going to Portland Tuesday. Erma and Orton are to be married the 24th so I am taking the rest of their things up and bringing back a load of plumbing materials.
Mr Dawson slipped Tuesday and hurt his back. He has been in bed since but thinks he'll be able to go to Portland with me and get his son's car and bring it back.
The first of the week I worked out at Tom McWilliams. Have a young fellow from N. Dakota helping me. He seems to be a nice lad. Married and has a boy 18 mos. just a farm boy but quick to learn.
Friday and Saturday we started the house we went out to see. We will work here tomorrow too. The lath is all on except where we have pipes to put in.
I am glad you are having a good time and not too stuck up to help spend the boys money.
Lee
a typewritten letter postmarked September 25, 1936
Dear Lee-------
Hi Toots!! How's tricks? Do you miss me? I'm not going to tell you whether I miss you or not because it might give you the big head and I'd hate for you to have to get a new hat.
"Your letter received and contents noted" would be putting it very mildly. You old matchmaker!! I thought you teased me about making matches. I wish you all the success in the world. I surely hope Eldon and Edna do hit it off okay. They are each worthy of each other. Glad you got to go to the Fair. Do you remember a year ago? I do. So you're trying to sell furnaces now? You certainly couldn't sell me one now. For the past week the thermometer has been hovering too near 100 to be comfortable. You and Marvin are back to your childhood tricks of stealing fruit, huh? Shame!! I hope you made your trip to Portland and back okay. Did you go to see Catherine? She wasn't home because she has gone to Linfield after all. She had to give up Smiley to get to go though. Poor kid! I don't know whether to pity or envy her. ( I mean envy her on account of Linfield, not Smiley.) What's the North Dakota fellow's name? Is he good help? Tell me did that house we went to see have an upstairs in it if so where was the stairway? I'd like to see it when it's done. Are they going to have housewarming? I'll be there.
Let's see having remarked upon the contents of your letter I think I'll reprimand you. You were to write every week. It was 10 days between letters this time. I realize you're a terribly busy and popular man though so I'll excuse you, but never let it happen again (until next time).
As you can see by now I'm in a very crazy mood. I like to have a good fight but there's no one to fight with except the typewriter and I'm doing my darndest at it.
School is still coming along. Physics has developed a decided trend towards trigonometry and as I have never had trig I'm trying to learn all about it in as short of time as possible. I went to Drama class last night and now have a part in a play. It is "Here comes the Hero." I play the part of a very rich and very talkative lady with too darling twins. The talkativeness comes easy but the being rich and mother of twins is a new experience for me. Last Saturday and tonight we entertained guests. My! What a job! I 've lived through both times however and I'm looking forward to a large number more. (I mean here at Rachel's, we entertained)
Oh! I almost forgot I have another additional job cleaning up a couple of old maid grade school teachers house once a week for $.25 per hour. I start tomorrow. I guess I'm going to get rich in sunny California. Do you want a loan? My interest rate is $.50 a week in Dutch Nickels*.
And speaking of money I guess I'm through spending the tall, dark, and handsome's money from Virginia. We went to the show a week ago Tuesday and he brought me home from WWG Thursday. Saturday night we went to a Sunday school party and played Monopoly. (It's lots of fun but I always lost) Sunday we went to SS, BY and church together. He said he'd come by Monday or Tuesday night and take me to the show. He hasn't showed up yet but who cares? There's plenty of money in the sea that's never been spent! You see I'm really turning "Golddigger".
I still like it here very much and although I get homesick every once in a while, I try to think of something else real quick. Incidentally, three months from tonight I should be home. Sounds like a long time but I "can take it."
Did you know the folks were gone all last week on a trip in eastern Oregon and Washington?I guess they enjoyed it immensely but were pretty glad to be home again. Mom is going to send for a washing machine she said and I'm surely glad.
----------------Pause while I sat and thought and was shocked find that I was almost run down. Can you imagine me ever running down ? I can't either must be the heat.
I was just looking at your letter and noticed that today is the day that Erma and Orton take the Fatal Leap. Another good couple gone to the dogs! Or is it? How should I know.
Perhaps it's time I quit rattling my typewriter or brain or something. It's 9:15 and I think part of the family anyway are trying to sleep.
This is just like saying good night. I can't seem to get around to it. After all I'm Scotch and I hate to waste a little paper.
Oh, by the way don't get so busy up there that you can't find time to at least drop me a card once a month or so. If you're broke I'll send you one of the pennies that I've been saving.
If I was of a romantic nature I'd say it with song such as "Goodnight, sweetheart," or Auf Weidersein, my dear" or "Till we meet again" or "Goodbye, my lover, Goodbye". But since I'm not I'll just say "God be with you till we meet again."
Betty
Editor's notes: *Dutch Nickels is slang for hugs! The game of Monopoly came out in late 1935.
Dear Lee-------
Hi Toots!! How's tricks? Do you miss me? I'm not going to tell you whether I miss you or not because it might give you the big head and I'd hate for you to have to get a new hat.
"Your letter received and contents noted" would be putting it very mildly. You old matchmaker!! I thought you teased me about making matches. I wish you all the success in the world. I surely hope Eldon and Edna do hit it off okay. They are each worthy of each other. Glad you got to go to the Fair. Do you remember a year ago? I do. So you're trying to sell furnaces now? You certainly couldn't sell me one now. For the past week the thermometer has been hovering too near 100 to be comfortable. You and Marvin are back to your childhood tricks of stealing fruit, huh? Shame!! I hope you made your trip to Portland and back okay. Did you go to see Catherine? She wasn't home because she has gone to Linfield after all. She had to give up Smiley to get to go though. Poor kid! I don't know whether to pity or envy her. ( I mean envy her on account of Linfield, not Smiley.) What's the North Dakota fellow's name? Is he good help? Tell me did that house we went to see have an upstairs in it if so where was the stairway? I'd like to see it when it's done. Are they going to have housewarming? I'll be there.
Let's see having remarked upon the contents of your letter I think I'll reprimand you. You were to write every week. It was 10 days between letters this time. I realize you're a terribly busy and popular man though so I'll excuse you, but never let it happen again (until next time).
As you can see by now I'm in a very crazy mood. I like to have a good fight but there's no one to fight with except the typewriter and I'm doing my darndest at it.
School is still coming along. Physics has developed a decided trend towards trigonometry and as I have never had trig I'm trying to learn all about it in as short of time as possible. I went to Drama class last night and now have a part in a play. It is "Here comes the Hero." I play the part of a very rich and very talkative lady with too darling twins. The talkativeness comes easy but the being rich and mother of twins is a new experience for me. Last Saturday and tonight we entertained guests. My! What a job! I 've lived through both times however and I'm looking forward to a large number more. (I mean here at Rachel's, we entertained)
Oh! I almost forgot I have another additional job cleaning up a couple of old maid grade school teachers house once a week for $.25 per hour. I start tomorrow. I guess I'm going to get rich in sunny California. Do you want a loan? My interest rate is $.50 a week in Dutch Nickels*.
And speaking of money I guess I'm through spending the tall, dark, and handsome's money from Virginia. We went to the show a week ago Tuesday and he brought me home from WWG Thursday. Saturday night we went to a Sunday school party and played Monopoly. (It's lots of fun but I always lost) Sunday we went to SS, BY and church together. He said he'd come by Monday or Tuesday night and take me to the show. He hasn't showed up yet but who cares? There's plenty of money in the sea that's never been spent! You see I'm really turning "Golddigger".
I still like it here very much and although I get homesick every once in a while, I try to think of something else real quick. Incidentally, three months from tonight I should be home. Sounds like a long time but I "can take it."
Did you know the folks were gone all last week on a trip in eastern Oregon and Washington?I guess they enjoyed it immensely but were pretty glad to be home again. Mom is going to send for a washing machine she said and I'm surely glad.
----------------Pause while I sat and thought and was shocked find that I was almost run down. Can you imagine me ever running down ? I can't either must be the heat.
I was just looking at your letter and noticed that today is the day that Erma and Orton take the Fatal Leap. Another good couple gone to the dogs! Or is it? How should I know.
Perhaps it's time I quit rattling my typewriter or brain or something. It's 9:15 and I think part of the family anyway are trying to sleep.
This is just like saying good night. I can't seem to get around to it. After all I'm Scotch and I hate to waste a little paper.
Oh, by the way don't get so busy up there that you can't find time to at least drop me a card once a month or so. If you're broke I'll send you one of the pennies that I've been saving.
If I was of a romantic nature I'd say it with song such as "Goodnight, sweetheart," or Auf Weidersein, my dear" or "Till we meet again" or "Goodbye, my lover, Goodbye". But since I'm not I'll just say "God be with you till we meet again."
Betty
Editor's notes: *Dutch Nickels is slang for hugs! The game of Monopoly came out in late 1935.
handwritten letter postmarked September 30, 1936
9/29/36
In Bed
Dear Bet -
Please excuse the pencil but my pen is about dry - too lazy to fill it now.
Your letter of the 25th received and contents partially absorbed.
My N.D. man's name is Ernest Hamen and he's married and has a boy nearly two years old. I think he is the best man we have had yet. He has purchased a lot in the NW end of town.
The house we looked at has no upstairs. (not my idea of the way to use all that good space). Did I tell you the owner is an old bachelor, maybe a chance for you.
Keep busy working for the old maids for in about three months I'll be wanting to borrow quite a bit. Ha! Ha! That is provided the interest has not changed.
No we did not know your folks had taken the vacation they needed. We knew they were not at church.
We finished up out at McWilliams and received the money in full so today dad and I went to Portland and brought back a sheet metal brake. Only cost the little sum of $211.00. We paid cash for it and let some of our other bills go.
Dad had a little add in the shopper last week so this week he'll probably have something else. Bro. Bade dropped in the shop Saturday and visited with Dad. Maybe he'll be back to see our brake now.
On Sherman Street where Eichner had his cream station and Feed store they tore the old building down and are rebuilding. We did the plumbing. Bade went to Joe Myers (he owns the lot and is having the work done but Frank Gleason is the man in sight) to see about doing the Plumbing. Joe told him that Frank had the contract. Bade went to Frank and Frank told him (a lie) that he was furnishing the material and that I was putting it in. Bade went away just a fogging, saying "just as I thought, just as I thought."
I took the folks for a ride Sunday. First to McWilliams to inspect their house and then to the house we went to (Peter Whitakers) and home over the hill and through Sodaville - Remember the time we made the trip? Very pretty scenery.
I saw Eldon Sunday but he was tired. George had gone deer hunting and he claimed he was having two mens work to do.
Good luck to you and your social entertaining. If you can't make this out, burn it up. Glad to hear that Catherine got to go back to school.
Sincerely,
Lee
9/29/36
In Bed
Dear Bet -
Please excuse the pencil but my pen is about dry - too lazy to fill it now.
Your letter of the 25th received and contents partially absorbed.
My N.D. man's name is Ernest Hamen and he's married and has a boy nearly two years old. I think he is the best man we have had yet. He has purchased a lot in the NW end of town.
The house we looked at has no upstairs. (not my idea of the way to use all that good space). Did I tell you the owner is an old bachelor, maybe a chance for you.
Keep busy working for the old maids for in about three months I'll be wanting to borrow quite a bit. Ha! Ha! That is provided the interest has not changed.
No we did not know your folks had taken the vacation they needed. We knew they were not at church.
We finished up out at McWilliams and received the money in full so today dad and I went to Portland and brought back a sheet metal brake. Only cost the little sum of $211.00. We paid cash for it and let some of our other bills go.
Dad had a little add in the shopper last week so this week he'll probably have something else. Bro. Bade dropped in the shop Saturday and visited with Dad. Maybe he'll be back to see our brake now.
On Sherman Street where Eichner had his cream station and Feed store they tore the old building down and are rebuilding. We did the plumbing. Bade went to Joe Myers (he owns the lot and is having the work done but Frank Gleason is the man in sight) to see about doing the Plumbing. Joe told him that Frank had the contract. Bade went to Frank and Frank told him (a lie) that he was furnishing the material and that I was putting it in. Bade went away just a fogging, saying "just as I thought, just as I thought."
I took the folks for a ride Sunday. First to McWilliams to inspect their house and then to the house we went to (Peter Whitakers) and home over the hill and through Sodaville - Remember the time we made the trip? Very pretty scenery.
I saw Eldon Sunday but he was tired. George had gone deer hunting and he claimed he was having two mens work to do.
Good luck to you and your social entertaining. If you can't make this out, burn it up. Glad to hear that Catherine got to go back to school.
Sincerely,
Lee
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