Open Writing

Jamestown

October 29, 1923

Dearest Rose

Was surely glad to hear from you again – Had meant to answer more promptly but I wanted to let you know definitely about Cecile and the only way to get any satisfaction out of Dad is to talk to him. I had planned strongly on going home a week ago Friday just especially for that purpose.

Talked to Dad with regard to Cecile yesterday. I am sorry for the kid because she’s been trying to keep a good record at the Academy, just living in hopes that she might get away. Dad said, that as long as she’s started at the Academy and the arrangements were all made, he preferred that she’d finish the year out there.

He said if you had asked for her before she started she might have gone. You did hurt his “little feelings” when you told him of sharing your dress allowance with the girls. He said he felt as though they were able to do enough to earn their own money.

But let’s not worry about that part of it. We all know you did an awful lot for both the kids and I surely wish for their sake that one of them could be with you but at the same time I know it was an additional worry for you and care and expense as well.

I don’t know exactly what board at the Academy will come to but I think it will be approximately about $25 a month. I was going to pay down that amount and Mother Superior said to wait until I could pay down $100 because she didn’t want to handle such “small amounts.” She may be out altogether because I’m not sure I can save such large amounts.

You know Cealie is a selfish little wart. I was in Jamestown all of last week to Teachers’ Institute. The kids both needed coats. Badly. The last few Sundays have been real cold and they had to go to church so I didn’t know what to do. The folks at home didn’t seem to care much. The Mrs. reminded Dad of the fact they needed coats but he said he had no money.
I hardly felt I could stand the expense of their coats myself. I hardly knew how much I dare pay for them but I decided we’d get one anyway. They both were with me and Ceal happened to be the one to start trying them on.

One coat, marked $47.50, she wanted badly but I felt that was too much so we decided on one for $42 marked down to $38. It’s quite a good looking coat with a fur collar but Ceal wasn’t quite pleased so Gertrude said, “Well if you don’t like it and Dad gets a better one I’ll be glad enough to have it.” And that’s the way Gertrude is about everything. Anyway, Ceal claimed the coat so I hope Dad does get Gertrude a better looking one. I paid $18 down on her coat and I think I’ll be out just that much too.

An old schoolmate of Hazel’s is assistant manager at the Gladstone now. He’s a mighty nice kid and I like him very much Anyway, he took me out. Pretty swell! Stepping out to a $2 show. I enjoyed it very much.

I haven’t paid the sisters a darn cent yet and I haven’t any to pay either. I tore my old choppy coat again so bought a new one. That other darn thing did look tacky. My new one is black Bolivia with a black fur collar, like yours, the kids said. It’s quite long, a pretty good coat. I paid $55 for it.
That’s where my money’s gone. I did need a dress though all I had was the black velvet one I got last winter and it was too darn small to be comfortable. Ceal wanted it but I gave it to Gertrude.

The weather here’s been horrid since Sunday. Started to rain and it’s been raining since. Now I suppose it will freeze and leave roads in a terrible condition.

You asked about how well I liked Pete. Oh. I like him well enough in a way. Not seriously though. He’s a good kid but he isn’t worth a darn. He came out here last Sunday night and I was sure glad to see him. He said I’d be glad to see anyone though and I guess he was right too. I best say goodnite.

Loving you, I’m Ann. Love to Jule and youngsters.