There are complaints of blistering cold weather from all over, including Adams Center. Both Ruth and Dave are owed payments that don’t come through, and Ruth has trouble finding work.
February 10, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
Dear Ruth,
Here goes for the last thing I do today. When this is written I’m going in for a good, long sleep.
What weather this is. You can’t even forget it when sitting in the house with a good fire. The papers are full of it and the radio likewise. Last night when I got home my feet were almost brittle and poor me with no one to stick my cold feel on. Just about the time I got them warm and had settled into dreamland it was time to get up.
I didn’t go to work until nine o’clock this morning and it was so cold we quit a little after four so I got a break that way anyhow. My face feels as though someone had been slapping it all day. Either our thermometer is cuckoo or everyone else’s is. It was only 5 below by ours but others reported anything from 12 to 15 below. I think I’ll stick by ours. I don’t feel so cold if I don’t know the exact temp.
I struck Clayton for some money today and told him I had to have it by Saturday. I borrowed an idea of yours and used the insurance gag. He was all sugar and honey and promised to have it for me, but I know his promises, they mean even less that Dr. Lally’s if that is possible. I’ll just have to shadow him and if I can catch him when he collects some money, I’ll go for it in a big way.
I didn’t leave your uniform last night, hon. I was so darned cold I didn’t feel like stopping until I got home. She will have plenty of time to do it if I don’t take it down before tomorrow night. Anyway, if I had left it, Lydia and Fran would think you were working and I can’t have them thinking untruths about my girl. How is that for a cute excuse?
Gee, hon, that picture looks swell in that frame. Everyone likes it. I have it sitting on the piano down here where I can see it more often.
I guess I have covered all the unimportant events so I’ll sign off and snatch me some sleep. Oh yes, I forgot to report on my health. The ailing glands are much improved, the sore nose has entirely disappeared, I have a slight blister on one foot and my left eyelid has the jitters. How’m I do’in?
Goodnight, sweet.
Love,
Dave
February 10, 1936
464 First Street
Albany, N.Y.
Hello Honey,
At first I thought I wouldn’t bother writing until tomorrow, but Loretta has some letters so I thought I might as well write to my darling.
I slept until 1:15 today and felt like sleeping longer. I was awake this morning and thought about my poor, tired boy having to get up and go to work. We stayed awake and talked after I went to bed last night, and I had visions of you going home all alone in the cold.
This afternoon we were taken with an ambitious streak and we gave our room a complete going over. We even cleaned the walls, ceiling and the floor.
I felt rather lousy tonight but I guess it is nothing to be alarmed about. No doubt tomorrow we will be so lame we can’t move.
We just took our baths and are now traveling around in pajamas and bathrobes. We were too tired and broke to go out to eat.
Wednesday, 9:50 p.m.
I received your letter this morning, so I’ll try and finish this and see if I can chisel a stamp somewhere or other.
Right now I’m not in a very good mood. I just returned from a visit to Dr. Lally’s. I didn’t get any money, only the promise of some money Saturday, which as you know, doesn’t mean a thing. I think I have fooled around with him long enough. I think I’ll see what a lawyer can do about it. What do you think? Part of it is better than none, and I certainly can’t stay in the city with no money, and as far as I can see, this is the only place there is a chance of any work.
If it wasn’t for Loretta chiseling dinners for me, I guess I would be out of luck. We went out to dinner again tonight with Ed.
You should have seen us today. We cleaned the living and dining rooms. Maybe you have noticed how dirty and dusty they were. Even Ed says we did a good job. Not meaning to brag or anything, we also think they look much better. If we don’t get work before long, we will have the whole house cleaned, not that it needs it or anything.
Last night Ed and Loretta spent the evening in. We had several games of cards. We did a little gambling and I won twelve cents, a dime for me and two cents for you.
I am listening to Hoover and believe me, he sure knows how to sling the dirt and as far as I can see, most of it is here. The New Deal is getting a going over.1
Republican presidential primary results, 1936
I guess it is selfish of me to let you come up to Albany when it is so cold. I wish the weather and everything else didn’t have to be against us. If it is awfully cold and stormy Sunday, you had better not try and come up. Much as I want to see you, I don’t like to have you be out in this weather. Seeing you on Sunday is the one bright spot in my week.
I am glad you didn’t bother leaving the uniform Monday morning. There is no hurry about it. I don’t believe I’ll be needing it again very soon. I hope you didn’t make a special trip for it. The Exchange tells me I am number twelve on register again. I don’t think they ever bother to find out.
Gee, Honey, I hope you get the money for your payment. I know how it feels to have money coming and not be able to pay your debts. I bet you get plenty tired of hearing my troubles when you have so many of your own. Be sure and let me know how you make out, and I wish you luck.
I’m glad you like your frame. I get a kick out of doing things for you because you always seem to appreciate anything, no matter how small it is. I wish I could do something real nice for you. Maybe I can someday.
Listen, Hon, don’t be neglecting any blisters. They make the nicest place for infection there ever was. I realize you have an unemployed nurse on your hands, but as far as you getting sick goes, I would much prefer being unemployed much as I would like being with you. The eye with the jitters I think was asking for a little “shut eye”.
I had a letter from my Mom yesterday. She tells me Niles is laid off. It is a good thing they weren’t moved. I suppose Harold will still have to continue living on the hill. It doesn’t seem quite fair to me, but I suppose that is none of my business.
Tell Lydia I will write as soon as I get some stamps. I am sending a dollar for my uniform and 15 stamps. I will owe Loretta half of them.
Did you find out if your battery was any good or not? It would be your luck to have to buy a new one.
I think Hewitt’s are going to Newburg Sunday, so if you can, come up, come early. I think they plan to leave about 8:00 a.m. They are going to bring Mr. Hewitt’s sister home with them. I guess she is going to stay a week.
Ed is in town this weekend, so I don’t expect to see much of my girlfriend the rest of this week.
According to Mom, they have even been having winter in Adams Center. Rather unusual I would say for such a balmy country. Ok, well I suppose even the climate has changed since I no longer live there. I was somewhat surprised to hear that the temperature in Middleburg was twelve below. I guess it is a lucky thing I am in the city during this weather. Otherwise, I would have long since been an icicle. I have been out every day, but haven’t minded it much. It must have been terrible working on the ice lately.
I have intended asking you if your hens were doing better. The last time I asked, I think you said they were below par or something.
Mom said it had been so stormy at home the school buses couldn’t go. I can imagine the place was more or less of a mad house with the kids at home.
I guess Mom approved of me letting Lydia have the car. I feel better I know, and the car never did me much good.
Cliff was sick all day yesterday. No doubt it was his meanness working out. He threw up all over the deck or sompin’. He is pretty good natured tonight for a change.
Ed and Loretta just blew in. Looks like Cliff and I have to stay up and keep them company.
Oh yes, we did a huge washing for ourselves today. If you hear of anyone who needs a scrub or wash woman, let us know. We are desperate and nursing seems to be out.
Marion and Zelma are going out somewhere or other Friday night and have asked me to go along, but I’ll probably be at home feeling sorry for myself.
Well, Honey, I seem to have covered a lot of space and I haven’t said much so I’ll be calling it a day. I see by the clock it is nearing midnight.
Be sure and let me know how you make out, and I wish you plenty of good luck.
Oodles of love.
Your Sweetheart,
“Parky”
P.S. The length of this letter seems to annoy everyone.
Post Card
[Postmarked February 11, 1936]
Tuesday 2:00 p.m.
Dear Dave,
As usual, I am taking life easy. At present we are over at Johnson’s. We got over in time for breakfast (11:45).
Loretta and I are recovering from a hard day’s work yesterday. I told you all about cleaning our room in the letter I wrote you last night. I can send your letter when I get down street for some stamps.
If Ed gets in tonight, we are going over to see Dr. Lally. Here’s hoping it means something.
Love,
Ruth
February 12, 1936
My Dear Girl,
Received your card today and I’ll be looking for the letter tomorrow. I bet I’ll know enough not to forget stamps again when you send for them.
I hope you had some luck in getting your money Tuesday. I haven’t received any yet but there is still time.
Last night I went to Middleburg after groceries and when I got back I went to P.H. Fran and Lydia were both yawning when I got there. They had been down to Meadie’s Monday night and didn’t get home until 5 o’clock in the morning. They went to a card party at the Masonic Hall in Catskill. Lydia won a pack of cards. Dan has had his license revoked for 15 days and compelled to get glasses. The bus company is short of drivers and he is afraid he will lose his job.
I had my piece of cake that you saved for me. I had forgotten all about it.
Pete is getting thin. Lydia says there is a darned, old she cat down the road and Pete is running down there all the while. Yep, I always said the females were h___ on the males but the fool males don’t know enough to leave them alone.
I was in M. again this morning and heard some gossip about a nurse leaving town. I went up to see the Dr. she had been working for. He said he had been thinking about getting another nurse but hadn’t fully made up his mind as yet. Anyway, I told him about you and while he didn’t give me any definite information there may be a possible chance for you if he decides he wants another nurse. If such a thing should come about, you will have to get your car back and learn to run a typewriter if you can’t already. Don’t put too much hope in it though because it is only a long chance. I’ll tell you more about it Sunday.
I found a dime wandering around in my pocket so I’ll send it to the bank before I spend it.
Goodnight, hon.
Lots of love,
Dave
Thursday noon.
Don’t tell me this isn’t a long week. Here it is Thursday and no letter yet. It’s a good thing you sent the card or you would have had me calling up. I guess I can stick it out until tomorrow so bye, bye. I’ve got to go back to work.
Love,
Dave
Footnote
- Herbert Hoover was the 31st president of the U.S. and was defeated by Roosevelt in 1932. He was an outspoken opponent of Roosevelt’s New Deal, which was a series of programs and projects, including the CCC (which both Dave and Frances participated in), designed to pull the U.S. from the Great Depression. 1936 was an election year, and Hoover had hoped to win the Republican nomination. From 1912-1968, only 12 states held presidential primaries (shown in the map). That year, Alf Landon was the republican nominee for president, and Frank Knox was his running mate for vice president. Landon ran a terrible campaign; he didn’t travel and was reported to admire Roosevelt. He also liked the New Deal, except that he thought it was hostile toward business. He lost in the largest landslide since 1820 (when James Monroe ran unopposed), with 8 electoral votes to Roosevelt’s 523.