Thursday Nite.
Sept. 17, 1925.

My dear Sweetheart:

Whilst the lamp is sputtering in the breeze I want to tell you that I did get a letter today and I was thoroughly ready for it too, as I always am, but especially because I failed to get one yesterday.

I am returning Mr. Blanchard’s letter as you may want to keep it. It is a mighty nice one, and I believe I am as proud of those complimentary letters as you are. Of course I know you are making a success anyway, but there is nothing like encouraging words from people, is there? It just puts new life into you and makes you realize more than ever the importance of your task or problem and its accomplishment. Bless your heart, I’m proud of you.

September 17, 1925

When you received this fat envelope, did you think I was sending you my whole life’s diary? False alarm! ‘Tis just Claudelle’s of what has happened since she left here Monday morning. I don’t know what she would think of me if she knew I was sending it to you, but it is the first letter we have received from her there and it gives a detailed description of everything she saw and thought I think. As you will gather from her letter, she and Lucille are expecting to work part of the time. We don’t know yet just how many hours a week they will be on duty (office work), but not many I think. You can judge for yourself just how much of the letter to take seriously. Perhaps the following will better enable you to understand the “book”:

Cast of Characters:

Mother – Just Mama. She took a sudden notion before leaving to change it.

Turner D – Sort of a “sissy” young man whom Claudelle and the other girls have refused numbers of dates.

Mrs. Shirer (Aunt Lee) – Lucille’s Aunt.

Lois, Juanita, Lucille Lewis – the other girls from Uvalde.

Dr. Stanford – Pres. of Westmoreland College who was our instructor in two courses at Kerrville and of whom C. and I formed a rather unfavorable opinion. You remember my telling you of his carrying me home etc. from church services one night?

Three O’Clock – A poor little ugly black kitten we have that C. plays with when we sit on the front porch in the evenings.

Also, I will add by way of explanation that the reference to the probability of my liking the “beautiful painting” is because of my well-known admiration for anything pink or peach colored. When I can I choose ‘most all of my dresses of that color.

Dear, the Jacksonville paper of which you wrote didn’t come today, but I’m sure it will tomorrow. Thank you for sending it because I’m very much interested. I am looking forward to the time when I can be with you and see the property first hand.

Could you stand the shock if I told you it was – raining!? It really is – too bad! Papa has just gone out on the front porch and said there were stars everywhere. It did rain some though.

Sweetheart, I love you lots and lots and lots and then a whole lot more.

Goodnight and sweet dreams.

Yours always,
Ina.