Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

Wednesday 8/19-’25

My Dear Sweetheart,

I didn’t get one today but I was so fortunate yesterday that I am yet rejoicing over it. We spent about an hour and a half in the surf tonight before we had supper, so we enjoyed the meal more and now feel that we can sleep good. Dr. White has already retired. I worked pretty hard today but didn’t seem to accomplish very much. I guess everyone has this experience, occasionally. Also at other times with little effort it seems that I get lots accomplished.

August 19, 1925

A few days ago a fisherman’s gasoline boat was washed ashore and crippled so that it was necessary for the insurance people to replace the craft. There was no storm nor even a high rough tide. Today it was blasted into pieces so that it could be burned. That constitutes all the excitement during the day and we happened to be at lunch so as to witness the dynamiting.

Last night a Ford roadster was raffled away. The paid admissions to the pier counted as chances. The contest has been running for about two weeks and the number of chances were about 37,000. Some young lady was the fortunate one and it was quite a kick to hear her answer when her number was called. She squealed as though a mouse was near her. The pier is used for dancing and for all sorts of chance games that one finds at an amusement park or street carnival. There are two dance places and two churches here at the beach, and all four work on Sundays. Every place except the post office is open on Sundays, and it observes Sunday hours. The dances never bother me, Dear, as you already know. May be that is my peculiarity, but I can’t have the same respect for a girl who dances, that I have for those who don’t dance. One of the most interesting things you ever told me was that you didn’t dance and that you were from Mississippi. I seemed to have your number at the start, and somehow I couldn’t help but love you from that instant. The next time that I felt a stronger love for you was when we were out on the Neuces and exchanged experiences about public service. We seemed to understand each other then and it has developed into a mighty pretty story which is to be continued … happily ever afterward.

Dr. White and I were visiting tonight and at the same time observing an engaged couple on the same bench, whow ere holding thands. He (White) wanted to know if that made me homesick. Told him that if he were a stranger and saw you and I when we were on our honeymoon that he would not suspect that we were newlyweds. Also, ten years later he would find us the same way. He said that he believed it, and, that that was the way it should be. Of course I meant public demonstrations of affection, and that was what White had in mind.

I love you just as much as I ever have and I don’t believe it is possible for me to love you any more than I do. I certainly do love you, Dear, and I want you. I love you, ove you, love you, love you.

Yours always
Walter.