Ruth and Dave try to work out their wedding plans and figure out when or if either of them can take time off. Young Billy Sedgemore causes a lot mischief.
June 21, 1936
Adams Center, N.Y.
Hello Honey,
It is nearly 9:00 p.m. and this is the first chance I have had to even start a letter to you. I am so nervous I don’t know if I can write anything or not.
Glenn and Dot were here all day. I met Lydia at the bus and when we got back Eva and family were here. Harold and family just arrived so probably my efforts will be in vain.
Gee, I sure have had service today. Imagine even getting a letter from my Honey on Sunday. It was awfully sweet of you to think of sending me a letter by Lydia.
At first I sort of expected you to come up last night and then I decided you wouldn’t be up. I wasn’t disappointed because much as I would have loved to see you, even for a short time, I know the trip is so hard on you.
Thank heavens June’s graduation is over. Yesterday I had to go to Watertown and get clothes for Harold’s kids. It certainly was a nerve racking ordeal. If it was only June and Billy I had to look out for, I would get along fine. I was going up to school but Mom took with a bad spell and I had Dot take the kids up.1
Parker-Sedgemore kids. Back row, from left: Ivan Parker, Alfred Lord, Carlton Lord, Joyce Parker, and Lewis Parker (?). Front row, from left, Eleanor Lord (?), Lydia Lord, June and Billy Sedgemore. “If it was only June and Billy I had to look out for, I would get along fine.” – RJP, 1936
I think as long as you are lucky enough to still be working we had better plan on getting married the 4th of July. We can tell more about things by then and you won’t have to lose any time. Seems like my boy must have a drag of some sort to be one of two favored men. So much for being ambitious, but now that you are on the other job, how about taking it easy. Something tells me you have been working too hard lately.
I am glad you finally made your trip to Albany. About the ring, I wouldn’t care if it did come from the dime store. It isn’t the ring that counts, it is what it means. I’m sure I will like it a lot. I would love to see it, but no more than I would love to see you.
So you listened to the fight. You don’t have to have anything put in the ceremony about ballgames and fights. I think when the time comes when we can be together I’ll be so glad I won’t care what you listen to.
That proposition you mentioned sounds pretty good. Seems like it would be a good chance to get started at something that might be permanent. We should be able to make out nicely on that much a week. The two months you wouldn’t be working are the best two months of the year anyway.
It is a good thing you weren’t here tonight. If you had only seen Hermann about the time they were ready to go home. The woman in the shoe had nothing on him. I fear you would get cold feet or sompin’. Wait until you have to dash around after little “David”, “Leslie”, “Susie”, etc.
Monday a.m.
I just had to give Billy a couple of spankings just by way of convincing him that he should attend Bible School.
I love you, dear, and I think I had better hurry as you won’t receive this until Wednesday.
Oodles of love and kisses,
“Me”
June 22, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
My Darling,
There really isn’t a thing to write about but if I wait until I get your letter, it will be Thursday before you hear from me this week. So here goes for a few lines to tell you I am still kicking around and love you every minute.
I am anxious to get your letter tomorrow, hon, to hear how your Mother is. I do hope she is better and that Lydia being there will give you a chance to get a little rest. I guess I am also anxious to get it to find out if I should come up this weekend or the next. Gee, it seems so long since I have seen you dear. Each time it seems harder to wait than it was the time before. What wouldn’t I give to hold you in my arms this minute and kiss your sweet lips. But there I go complaining as if you haven’t enough troubles. Don’t worry about me, hon. I’ll weather the storm alright and some day we will make each other happy enough to forget all of this.
I watched the clock all day yesterday and heaved a great big sigh of relief when I knew Lydia had arrived. I knew you would be wondering why we hadn’t shown up.
Fran came back here about three o’clock yesterday. I had just finished painting the top of our car. He wanted me to go down to Joe’s with him so I did. We got there about five o’clock and no one was there. We didn’t know where they had gone for the picnic so we just sat in the car and waited nearly three hours. When they did come back, we were about starved but they had plenty of stuff left over so we filled up. Ben was on one of his funny streaks and he had everyone bent double with laughter. I guess that is the first real laugh I have had since you went away, and even when I was laughing, I thought of you and how far from laughing you were. Once or twice the party got a little dirty. You know Ben isn’t a bit bashful and Fanny was there to help him out. It must have been 12 o’clock when I got home.
Well, sweet, I can’t think of anything more than I have already said in this or previous letters. You know just how I stand and I’m ready to do whatever you think best. I’m planning a lot on getting married either this weekend or next and I hope it can be done. I’ve just got to make you my wife before long, dear. I think we have gone far enough like this.
My head feels as though it were going to start aching so I’ll quit and go to bed before it gets started. I’ll write again tomorrow night if your letter comes.
Love and kisses to my darling,
Dave
June 23, 1936
Adams Center, N.Y.
Hello Honey,
For some reason I expected a letter today but I suppose you were busy Sunday night. I must have one of your headaches tonight. My head feels like it would split.
I went to the Dr. today with another specimen and for more medicine. He doesn’t talk very encouraging. He tells me that her kidneys are greatly damaged, too. I have to go back again Monday.
Well now back to the subject of getting married. From several things Lydia has said, I don’t believe she is in favor. She says she can’t possibly stay here longer than two weeks. She says any sacrifice any of us can make isn’t too great. However, I think the general idea is that I should be the one to make the sacrifice. Lydia doesn’t seem to think I should take a week off. So with her taking that attitude I don’t believe I care to burden her with my presence in her house for a week. I’m afraid I didn’t use much tact in the response I gave her. I told her everyone thought we should all make sacrifices but if any of the rest come and stay a week, they think they have done a lot but I’m not supposed to leave here for even one week. Lydia says she was here one week so she knows what I have been through. The only thing I know how to do is struggle along as long as I possibly can and when I can’t stand it any longer, someone else will have to come and do it.
If you can manage to get the Friday afternoon before the Fourth off, I think we could be married then and plan to spend the weekend together, thus giving up the idea of the week together. I know it will be a big disappointment to you, but no more than it is to me. It isn’t necessary that Lydia and Fran stand up with us, so probably it would be better not to ask him to lose any time. I hate to ask you to lose any but I see no other way. All of a sudden Lydia has started worrying about what we will do this winter. She says she won’t live with us and I didn’t know that anyone had suggested it yet, so I don’t know why the sudden worry.
If Fran wants to come with you, o.k., but the way Lydia acts if he misses a half day of work there is danger of them starving this winter. Of course I realize that you came up to stand up with them when you weren’t so keen on it and I lost two weeks of work by so doing, but that was for them.
I also told Lydia that I have stood about all I can and that there is a chance that there will be a time when I am needed more than I am now. It seems darned queer that Mom has raised about thirteen of us and I am the only one who is supposed to take the responsibility of things here at home. I’m not saying that the others aren’t just as concerned as I am, because I think they are. Lydia says I should have Bill come home but I have written and told him what Dr. Alden has said and I have asked him to come home so there is nothing more I can do. I can see his side of it as well as I can my own. We do need a lot of money to get along on. It costs an awful lot for doctor bills.
Every time I have to go to the Dr. it seems just as though I couldn’t stand it. I know what he is going to say and I am just about sick every time when I get home.
Yesterday I had to give Billy two spankings and a strapping. Yesterday afternoon he and Lewis managed to kill one of the hens by way of being smart. I took Billy in hand and sent Lewis home in a hurry. Harold chastised Lewis. Billy has been needing it for some time. He had arrived at the point where he was next to impossible. Just another case where the dirty work falls on me.
Well, dear, I guess I have showered all of my problems and troubles on you so now I feel much better.
Mom has felt pretty good all day but she can’t even dress herself any more. She has heart attacks quite often, usually when she wakes up after a nap in the day time.
Everyone else has gone to bed so I think I’ll see if I can sleep some of my troubles away. I would like to have gone to the graduates’ banquet at Belleville tonight, but I couldn’t. I wish you could have taken me.
Goodnight, my darling boy.
All my love,
Ruth
June 23, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
Hello Sweet,
It is 9:30 and as usual I’m tired and sleepy so you will get the worst of it by receiving a short letter. I had the same idea you spoke of in your letter about taking it a little easier on the job now, but I guess it doesn’t make much difference. I was born tired and never got over it.
Tonight when I got home from work it was twenty minutes of seven and I was starved. I can’t get used to these new hours. It is too long between meals for me. Tomorrow will be worse yet I guess because I have to leave here at five in the morning and go to Oneonta. We have to get two jacks from there to raise the bridge. I guess there won’t be much chance of taking it easy for a couple of days as we have to get thru with the jacks and have them back in Oneonta Thursday night.
I went down to see Fran for a few minutes tonight. Guess he is making out alright, at least he didn’t complain of any serious trouble. I cracked one of Lydia’s glasses by pouring hot rise water on it. I hope she doesn’t crack my head for it. Why don’t you suggest that she punish me by never letting me wipe dishes again.
This pen is going dry so I’ll have to finish with a pencil. I’m too lazy to go downstairs and fill it.
Ten more days to wait before I see my honey. It seems like an eternity but I suppose it will pass. I’m more than anxious for it to pass so I can make you my wife as well as sweetheart before something else comes along to change our plans again.
If Lydia stays up there until then, she won’t be able to stay another week so you can come down here, will she? You had better hold Grace to her promise to come up for a week because you have to take time out for a rest.
Well, “Scoop”, I guess there is nothing more to say so I’ll hang up and go to bed. Sorry I can’t write more, dear, but things don’t happen fast enough to fill a letter every day.
Love and kisses,
“Me”
June 24, 1936
Adams Center, N.Y.
Dear Davie,
I sure was glad to receive your letter today. I have been in suspense since I heard you went over to Slingerlands. From Fran’s card and letter I should judge they were a rather wild bunch. Seems like they were nearly as bad as our “Camp Fire” meetings used to be. I think I had better get back down there and take off my precious little lamb before he goes to the dogs. I bet that makes you feel “sheepish”.
I made eleven more cans of conserve. I think I put nearly everything in it. You can feel lucky you weren’t here ‘cause I may have put you in it. I just discovered some of it in my hair. I think Lydia was surprised to learn that I know how to do it. I believe both she and Fran are of the opinion that I don’t know much about house work. It so happens that I used to do the greater part of the canning here at home, but I have sort of gotten out of the habit.
This isn’t exactly the proper thing to put in a letter, but just now Lydia and I thought it was raining but instead it was only Billy taking a tinkle for himself out the upstairs window. If it wasn’t for making too much noise, I would go up now and chastise him.
I’ll be well acquainted with the habits of boys and how to deal with them by the time “Leslie” gets old enough to walk.2
What do you think of being married Friday (July 3rd) rather than Saturday? I got to thinking and I don’t believe you can get a license on a holiday any more than you could on a Sunday. We could go someplace Friday night and Saturday and come back here to spend Saturday night. I know we won’t have long enough together to even realize we are married but I can’t think of any other way.
I went to H2Otown today and met one of the girls that graduated the same time I did. She jumped all over me for not being at the banquet last night. She has an office position and had just been up to see Izzy who has an establishment of her own. Gee, when I think of the way we all were when we went to school I wonder what it is all about.
By the way, if anyone remarks about the position of the stamps on this letter, you can blame Lydia.
I have $3.90 in dimes again. It must be nearly enough to pay for my flat iron. We could get a cheap one but they cost more to use and don’t last as long.
Mom has managed to write three letters to Bill. I am quite encouraged as each one is an improvement on the last. She no longer talks confused unless she is over tired. She can carry on a conversation as well as anyone. She has been feeling pretty good for the last couple of days.
I’m going to get a permanent next week. I don’t believe I will get many new clothes. I just have to do something with my hair. It looks terrible.
Yesterday Lydia and I fixed another plant box. We nearly died trying to lift the thing on to the porch. Oh yes, one of my tomato plants is in blossom. Now you will probably tell me you have had ripe tomatoes out of your garden.
Well, sweetness, me thinks I have rambled on long enough. Be a good boy and don’t get too lonesome. Please take care of yourself for me won’t you, darling.
I love you, my darling.
Yours forever,
“Me”
June 25, 1936
Middleburg, N.Y.
My Dear Ruthie,
I just got home from work and read your letter. Maybe I should wait a while until I cool off but I’ve got to say or write something before I burst. It is a good thing Lydia isn’t here where she could hear me.
Honest, hon, I’m so mad right this minute I could chew nails. I thought everything was shaping up pretty good for our wedding and now I hear this. You can make up your mind though that we are going to be married one way or the other. There is only one thing that will stop us and that is a word from your Mother. If she doesn’t want us to, why I’ll quit and forget it, otherwise, we will go ahead.
If you can get Grace to come up and take over for a week, you can come down and stay here for a week. It won’t be as pleasant as it would down there but I guess we can manage. If you can’t get her to come, I’ll have to manage to take a week off and stay up there. We will probably be thru on this job by next weekend and I don’t know yet if he has any more work. If not, I’ll be out of work by then anyway.
I got called to supper, hon, and then I went down to see Fran for a little while so by now I am all over my angry spell. It is just as well I didn’t write any more though. I might have said things I would be sorry for later. I can get mad but it never lasts very long and I can’t hold a grudge against anyone. However, I still think that Lydia shouldn’t have taken the attitude she did about your taking a week off. No doubt if I hadn’t had to come up when she did, she would have been glad to have stayed up for a week while you came down here. If there is a chance of getting Grace, will you do it, dear, providing your Mother is well enough.
Fran says he is willing to quit Friday noon and start so I guess we can get there in time to get the license and maybe get married, too, if we can locate the minister. Lydia will probably think I talked him into taking the time off but it was his own suggestion. I do know there wouldn’t be a chance of my coming up without him. He isn’t the kind of friend who would let you down.
Gee, sweetheart, I guess I have filled this letter with one subject but it can’t be helped. After we are married we won’t have anything to write about except the eternal fact that we love each other. Eight more days, sweet, and I’ll hold you in my arms.
It is too bad you couldn’t go out when you wanted to. That is just why I want you to get away from there for a week and give yourself a change.
Goodnight, my sweetheart.
Love and kisses,
Dave
June 25, 1936
Adams Center, N.Y.
My dear Mr. Coffin,
Lydia is looking over my shoulder to find out who I am writing to. She didn’t believe me when I said I was writing to “Mr. Coffin” so I had to prove it.
I will endeavor to enlighten you of our latest plans. Lydia has written to Fran so he should get it tomorrow. If he did, you probably will be in too much of a hurry to get ready so you won’t even bother reading this. Lydia is going back with you and stay a week and when you come up next weekend she will come back and stay for a week so I can spend a week with my brand new husband. How does that sound to you? Gee, dearest, it certainly will seem grand to have you for one whole week. It sounds too good to be true.
When I took Fran’s letter to Adams Center to mail this afternoon I got an appointment for a permanent. I knew I had to get it this week and the only time she had vacant is Saturday night. She says she can take me at 5:30 so that means it will be 11:00 before I am finished. However, I will try and be home by the time you get here.
Listen, sweet, I hope you don’t have to leave for work at five in the morning when I have to get your breakfast. Gee, that would be some initiation.
What do you mean calling me “Scoop”? It so happens that is your name, darling.
I had a card from Loretta today. Helen is able to walk again and Loretta is soon coming back to Albany.
I change my plans so often I should think you wouldn’t know if you are going or coming. Oh well, someday all of this will be over and we will be together forever.
Good night, dearest, and until we meet again all I can say is, I love you, honey.
Yours,
“Me”
Footnotes
- The identities of some of the children in the photo are guesses, particularly Eleanor Lord, who was the youngest child of Grace and Niles (b. 1930), and Lewis, who might also be Glenn Charles Parker (1928-2015), son of Glenn and Dot. The photo may or may not have been taken on the occasion of June’s graduation (possibly an event related to church, since she would have been 9 years old that year). The photographer may have been Ruth herself.
- Personal note, many, many years later, my grandmother (Ruth) told me once that if they had had a son, they would have named him “Leslie”.