Tag Archives: correspondence

August 12, 1925 (Ina)

Wednesday Nite
Aug. 12, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Claudelle and I have just finished our evening walk. We didn’t go until unusually late as she did not return from down town in time. It was almost dark when we started and we could imagine all sorts of snakes and things before we came in sight of the house. Our imaginations were so active that when a poor little innocent grasshopper settled himself peacefully on my dress for a rest I accidentally became aware of his whereabouts by upsetting him with my hand. I gave a hop, skip and a jump that made us both almost think a rattlesnake had me. I hereby resolve never to go out for a pleasant stroll in the pitch dark on a ranch road that snakes like so well.

August 12, 1925 (Ina)

August 12, 1925 (Ina)

No, I didn’t get a letter today. I miss them very much when I don’t get them, but I spend the rest of that day in looking forward to the next when I feel sure that I will receive one.

I love you, Sweetheart, lots and lots and would give so much if I could be with you tonight.

Your devoted,
Ina.

Thursday Night.
Aug. 13, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

Yes, sir-ree, I did get it today and I’ve been happy “every minute” since. Mama, Papa, Claudelle and I were on our way to the Neuces River when we went by the post office and found your letter. It was a good one and made my swim a lot more pleasant.

Even Mama and Papa went in swimming so you know the water must have been tempting. There were about 30 people in and everyone seemed to be having a good time. I thought of you a great deal while we were in the water and imagined that you were enjoying the surf at the same time.

I noted what you said of Mrs. Gallagher. I suspected quite a while ago that perhaps she had a deeper interest in you than mere appreciation for the attention you paid the children. I didn’t blame her a bit because I am “rather” interested in you myself. However, I am not jealous, just because I feel that if you were going to fall in love with her, you would have done it last summer, and second, because I am convinced that you truly love me and I know that you will be true to me. From the description you have given me of Mrs. Gallagher, I feel sure that I will like her, and I know the children are cute. I think it will be nice if you have the little boy down on the beach with you to spend a while. It will be a treat for him and you will enjoy it too.

We appreciated the compliment you paid Thelma Lee and Reitha. They certainly think lots of you and speak of you often.

Lots of love from one who loves you more than anyone else in the world.

Ina.

August 10, 1925 (Ina)

Monday Night.
Aug. 10, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

I was sorry today when I read in your Thursday’s letter that another day had passed and you had not heard from me. The trouble must be in the office of Dr. K.S. as I have written you every day since you left with the exception of the Sunday we went to Hondo. It is true that I don’t always get it off on the first train, and I sometimes mail two letters in one, but I don’t see how you could miss two days in succession except through delay in the office. At any rate, when you don’t get a letter, just rest assured that there is at least one somewhere in transit that you will soon receive and that I still love you better than anyone and am thinking of you.

August 10, 1925 (Ina)

August 10, 1925 (Ina)

Tonight is our “anniversary night” – just three months since we became engaged, and it seems like you have been gone longer than that. My, but I have been happier these three months than I have ever been before – just to know that you love me and I love you and that each day brings the time nearer when we shall start out life together. Sweetheart, I would give so much if you could be here tonight and we could enjoy the evening as much as we did that memorable 10th of May evening. We could really enjoy it even more now because we know each other better and really love more deeply than we did then.

I spent the day with Thelma today and we enjoyed it so much. I asked Thelma Lee and Retha what message they would like to send to you and they both said to tell you to come to see us sometime. That is nearly always the message they want me to give you. Perhaps you will consider coming sometime?

Walter, I have just received a letter from Lionel Womack, a young man from Bisbee, Arizona who lived in Uvalde for about two years, but who left here about two years ago for his home in Arizona. I went with him for about six months during which time he fell in love, proposed and I refused. Shortly after we broke up was when he returned to Arizona. I hadn’t heard from him in almost a year until last December he wrote me a letter telling me that he was engaged. I answered only with a Christmas card across the face of which I wrote “Congratulations.” I suppose I have never mentioned him to you as I supposed he was already married. Imagine my surprise today when I received a long letter from him in which he told me that he and his fiancee had already broken up, as he found she was not the kind of girl he thought she was. Also, he said he was coming to Texas in about sixty days and was very anxious to come to see me. He writes as though he feels the same toward me as he did when we were going together, but, Sweetheart, don’t worry one moment about it. I am going to write him the exact situation as it is – our engagement etc. and I don’t think he will even want to come under those circumstances. And, even if you and I were not engaged, and if Lionel were to come and stay until “Doom’s Day,” I couldn’t love him. I made up my mind to that effect a long time ago. He is a good friend but not the kind I could love. Now, you won’t worry about it, will you? I am writing you this because if I were with you I would tell you and I am sure you would do the same by me if you had a similar occasion.

I love you worlds and worlds, Dear, and, as far as I am concerned, no one is going to come between us.

Always
Your
Ina.

August 7, 1925 (Ina)

Friday Afternoon.

Aug. 7, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Now, don’t you feel good when you do get a letter? And especially so if you get two letters and your mother and Dad get one too? That was my experience yesterday afternoon and I was so happy over it. I knew you had some perfectly good reason for not writing before.

I enjoyed the description of your new house, new landlady etc. I am mighty glad you have found such a pleasant place to stay. It all “made my mouth water” and I am sure I would like and enjoy it. Take a dip in the surf for me, will you? Yes, we are going to be so happy in Florida. I know I shall like it, and, best of all, I can be with you. Sweetheart, I surely do love you.

August 7, 1925 (Ina)

August 7, 1925 (Ina)

I am so glad for you that Dr. White finally consented to part with the manuscript. I suppose he has to bestow his affections upon something, so he seems to have showered them generously upon it. Yes, I judge that his wife would certainly need the sympathy of her many friends if he continued in his old maidish ways.

No, Sweetheart, I know you are not ego-tistical, and I am so glad you tell me the situation as you do. I understand and appreciate your motive in telling me, and you may rest assured that I will not misunderstand and feel that you are flattering yourself. I am proud of you and love to hear of the progress you are making. In fact, I would feel badly if you didn’t tell me about your work etc. I am looking forward to the time when we can be together all the time and can discuss it more freely.

Mama and Papa appreciated the letter you wrote them. I am so glad that everything is coming out so nicely. They like you so much. (I don’t see how they could help it), and we are going to be so happy, aren’t we?

I must dress to go down town now.

Lots of love from

Your
Ina.

August 5, 1925 (Ina)

Wednesday Night.
Aug. 5, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Again I say, “don’t you feel funny when you don’t get a letter!” I had that sensation again this afternoon when I opened the box and there was none. I suppose you are too busy to write. I am sure you still love me, but I will be mighty glad to get a letter. The last one I received was written a week ago tomorrow night. I like letters.

August 5, 1925 (Ina)

August 5, 1925 (Ina)

Well, I went to Jewel Tate’s wedding this afternoon at five. It took place at her home and there was quite a crowd there. Yes, the groom was there and I really like his looks. He looks human and hasn’t that hands-clasped-eyes-cast-heavenward look that I was afraid Jewel’s husband would have. It was a very simple wedding – no attendants – and, honestly, it is hard for me to believe that it is legal – the minister omitted so many of the “I do’s” and “I will’s.” Why, they hardly had time to get in the room before he pronounced them man and wife. It surely doesn’t take long to do it up for a life time. However, the brevity of the ceremony suits me. There was a short reception afterwards, and then they left in their car for their home in Plainview, Texas. Sweetheart, all during the ceremony I was thinking of how happy I will be when you and I stand at the altar and take those solemn vows. But there was something about it that I didn’t exactly like, and I don’t know exactly what it was. After the ceremony was over, there was an awkward pause, and throughout the reception that spirit seemed to prevail. The majority of the guests didn’t seem to be enjoying it much and finally I think they all left before the bride and groom did. There were only a few left when it dawned upon me that perhaps I had better leave too. Rice, old shoes etc. were not even hinted by anyone. Of course brides and grooms don’t like to be the victims of too much of this, but I think half the fun is in trying to escape it. It doesn’t seem like a real wedding if there are not some young people around who are trying to plan and carry out some mischief. I didn’t feel like doing it all by myself so I didn’t mention it.

No, I don’t know how to prepare shrimp. I am glad you are taking notes so that you can tell me how. I am sure you all enjoyed the fishing. It was good recreation after a day’s work.

Thursday Afternoon.

Dearest Walter:

Just to tell you that I still love you and I am sending this letter to the post office with the prayer that I may get a letter this afternoon. If I don’t –! I guess I’ll write you again tonight.

Love,
Ina.

July 27, 1925 (Ina)

Monday Afternoon
July 27, 1925

My dearest Walter:

Yesterday was the first day since you left that I had missed writing you and it was unintentional that I did miss it. I thought we would get back from Hondo in time to write you, but, as we had charge of the Sunday evening church hour which lasted until about 9:30, then had quite a time getting our crowd together to come home, we did not arrive in Uvalde until 12:10. So it was no longer Sunday and I waited until later on in the day Monday to write. I love to write you every day when I can, because that is next to receiving a letter from you or being with you. You have been so good to write me even though you were awfully busy, and I surely do appreciate it too. Your Wednesday night letter came Saturday afternoon just as we were leaving town and, Sweetheart, (that’s the first time I ever called anyone that) it was such a nice, long interesting one. It made me feel so good to have it along with me.

July 27, 1925 (Ina)

July 27, 1925 (Ina)

We had such a good time in Hondo. The people in whose home we were guests were perfectly lovely to us. Claudelle and I were entertained in the house of the president of the Hondo Chapter. We had met her while in Kerrville. Everyone seemed to be doing something to show us all a good time, and they succeeded well. Claudelle and I agreed without any hesitancy that we had a much better time during the night and day that we spent in Hondo than we did the whole week in Kerrville. I didn’t have to make but three talks, one in the afternoon and two in the evening, but the otherwise pleasant time we had more than overbalanced that.

It was only three weeks ago yesterday afternoon that you left and it seems like just about that many months to me. I thought about you and wished for you lots and lots during the day even though we were busy.

Mama and Papa stopped by Mrs. Parman’s for a short visit yesterday afternoon. Mr. Parman had been very sick that morning but was feeling much better in the afternoon. They thought it might be acute indigestion. Mrs. Parman was terribly frightened and excited. They think he will soon be alright though.

Walter, the part of your letter that referred to Mama and Papa, our future happiness etc. was mighty sweet. I am sure they are not worried for fear you and I will not get along well together, that we will not be happy etc. because they know by now that we care for each other so much that everything will be fine. We are going to be wonderfully happy and contented, aren’t we? “You bet!” I am glad you will enjoy having them visit us and I am sure they will enjoy it too. However, you know how “often” they visit anyone. Maybe, though, we can get them to come occasionally.

I am sure you enjoyed being with Mr. and Mrs. Garrison. Yes, I remember that you mentioned in one of your letters to me last winter that you ate Christmas dinner with them. I am anxious to meet them. I appreciate what you said about her sister.

I want to assure you again that I am most hopelessly in love and never expect to get out.

I love you now, always and forevermore – lots and lots – then some more.

Yours always,
Ina.

July 18, 1925 (Ina)

Saturday Evening
July 18, 1925.

My dearest Walter:

Just a few words this evening to let you know I am thinking of you and still love you even thought I haven’t had a letter in two days. I know you are just as busy as you can be and don’t have nearly as much time as I do to write. This letter is certainly not intended as a scolding. I am looking forward to tomorrow when I believe I will get a letter.

Goodnight and sweet dreams.

Lots of love,
Ina.

Sunday Evening
July 19, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

Your Wednesday night letter came this morning on my way to Sunday School. You see, I can’t enjoy anything very much until I first make a trip to the post office. I enjoyed the letter very much because it seemed like a long time since I had received one, but really it had been only two days. Please don’t take my letter of yesterday as a complaint. I know that you are busy and I don’t blame you when you don’t write. It really wasn’t a long time at all. It just seemed that way.

July 18, 1925 (Ina)

July 18, 1925 (Ina)

Now – about the pictures! It was mighty nice of you to have them developed and send me the prints, but – did you happen to keep a print of them? If you did, will you do me a favor? Just as quickly as you can, please, please take your knife and cut me out of the two pictures. They are perfectly awful of me. I am sure I have never had any made that looked any worse. If you will do that I will love you forever and will make some better pictures soon and send them to you. Your half of the pictures is so much better looking than mine. You don’t know how lonesome you look in the prints that I have since I have cut myself out.

I suppose Mrs. H. and E. feel sure that you are a very hard hearted creature. They don’t know you like I do if they think so. I am sorry it came about so as to make it necessary for you to do as you did, but it seemed to be the only thing to do, didn’t it? They seemed to disregard your feelings so much that you had to disregard theirs in self defense. I appreciated the way you did even if they didn’t. I hope you will never regret it.

I must hurry and go to League.

Love,
Ina.

July 15, 1925 (Ina)

Wednesday Night.
July 15, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

Your letters of the 10th and 12th came this afternoon and they made me feel oh so good. You see, I don’t always get them on schedule time as we don’t always go in town just after train time. Walter, bless your heart, your letters make me so happy and I read them over and over and then read them some more. These two letters were so nice and long and newsy. You seem to know just what I am interested in and just what to write. I especially appreciate the long ones now since I know that you are so busy, but still you take time to write me. I am just as proud of you as I can be and I love you so very very much.

July 15, 1925 (Ina)

July 15, 1925 (Ina)

Your letter to Mama and Papa came also. Mama tried to tease me for quite a while by telling me that she wouldn’t let me read it. Finally, after about two hours’ time she handed it over to me saying that she was trying to see just how anxious I would get to read it. I think it is a mighty nice letter and they do too. They will answer it before long. Don’t be afraid of a refusal or anything of that kind. It didn’t come as a surprise to them since I had told them that you were going to write and ask. Everything is lovely.

Yes, indeed I think it will be mighty nice to have Dr. White down in Florida with you every summer. I feel that you are very fortunate to have him every moment that it is possible to do so. I am so anxious to meet him. I know I shall like him from the things you have said about him. I shall enjoy meeting and being with your friends so much.

I am sure Dr. and Mrs. K.S. are anxious to get into that beautiful new home. I am looking forward to seeing it some time.

I can hardly wait for the time to come for you to return and for me to be with you always. It still seems too good to be true, but still I can’t help but believe that the “too good to be true” is going to happen in this case.

Walter, I don’t want you to hesitate to tell me about your work, the credit that you will receive for it etc. because I certainly will not think you are egotistical. I know you too well to think that. I am very much interested in you and your work, and you can safely write me anything you want to about it without fear of being misunderstood. By the way, I am very proud of your work too.

Goodnight and sweet dreams.

Always your
Ina.

July 12, 1925 (Ina)

Sunday Night
July 12, 1925.

Dearest Walter:

I have just returned from my fourth religious service today, so I think my disposition should be sufficiently sweetened to be agreeable, at least by letter, don’t you think? We had our church service on the roof of our new educational building this evening, and, due to the fact that we had a nice shower this afternoon it was so cool that a light wrap was very comfortable. Mr. Schofield, rector of the Episcopal church here, preached a very interesting sermon, and that, together with the cool breezes etc., made everyone enjoy the service very much. It would have been much more pleasant for me tho if you had been there right by the side of me. Just a week ago you left Uvalde but really it seems like months to me. I sincerely hope that every week will not be as long as this one has seemed.

July 12, 1925

July 12, 1925

Your New Orleans letter was in the box this A.M. and I enjoyed every word of it thoroughly. I appreciated the fact that you wrote before you reached your destination because it would have seemed like such a long time to me. The magazines came also, and I appreciated them. Claudelle and I have been enjoying reading them this afternoon.

I have read the little booklet “Can America Remain American?” that you sent and I think it is splendid. Such a lecture makes a person want to be more patriotic, loyal and true. I like literature of that kind. I think the Teacher’s Training Book you sent is fine. It seems to be such a thorough course that I expect to study it just that way. I have already studied the first lesson. You see, I try to spend at least fifteen minutes every day in Bible study, so I can use this course and do it systematically. The other little book you sent is full of good information. I expect to use it now when I need it and also will put it in my “hope chest” for future reference.

Today I received a letter from Hugh Cavitt (the bee inspector, you know) written at Hempstead, Long Island and he wrote as though it was my last chance to offer an explanation since this was his third letter to me since he left Uvalde, and he had received a reply to none. For some unknown reason this is the first that I have received. He must have trusted them to someone else to mail and they failed to do so. I had wondered at his silence since he had insisted so that he was going to write me as soon as he arrived in Holland, Texas, his home.

I also had a letter from Jane Latham, the young school teacher who stayed at Mrs. Hollifield’s and whose home is in Poutota, Miss. She is now in the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Ark. She is having a good time I think. She seems to be afraid that she cannot be with me long after she returns to Uvalde to teach this fall. Somehow she has gotten the impression that I might be in Florida this winter. It is purely supposition on her part I am sure, as I haven’t written her anything to that effect. As far as I know, she doesn’t know that I have the ring. Of course someone else may have written her something about seeing it. You know how those things go.

Walter, I appreciate your not trying to get acquainted with the pretty girls on the train. It is mighty easy on a trip like that to make new acquaintances, but I am glad you didn’t. I am going to try to be just as true to you as you are to me. The other young men don’t interest me anymore. You are the One in whom I am interested and I love you ‘most to death.

I surely do like the idea of having a room in our own home while in Dallas. I am sure I would like it and the little boy wouldn’t bother me in the least. My, I get so thrilled and happy every time I think of our trip, our home, and especially you.

Oh, I do love you ever so much.

Lots of love,
Ina.