Dearest,
The more I miss you, the more I want you, and that has been so from the beginning. Happy I'll be on "Easter or before" according as you will decide. I feel about as though we're one now, even though I wouldn't marry you on New Year's Day. I have laughed about a dozen times already about my hurried jump out of the machine to catch the car. How you looked when you grabbed for me with "Say". And when I think of your kisses (business of rolling my eyes)! How wonderful you have been to me.
I was thrilled that you were willing to take me to M.P (Middlepoint, OH) Sunday. That was only another indication that we're together in all things, even to ploughing thru a mile of snow. And how nice it will be to be tied to your family. They're all so "sticky" - whoa! - I mean they stick to each other so well. It was fine of Bob [1] to come for us, and go out of his way to take us back. It must be that he likes one of us at least.
____________I stopped just there to attend a luncheon of the Bar Association. Judge Kavanagh, of Chicago, [2] gave a rather interesting talk on crime conditions in the U.S. I started this letter at 11:30 a.m. It is now 10:00 p.m. and I am taking my first free opportunity to finish the letter. If I were making money as fast as I've been getting accident reports, we'd be rich in a little while. I was out all afternoon (after the luncheon) and evening, trying to see various people. Its discouraging sometimes, to go to several different places, yet get to talk to only one witness, but I guess its all part of the game.
I had a dandy letter from an old High School teacher at Cincinnati today. She was very friendly to me as a kid in her classes. Ever since 1914 we have exchanged Christmas cards. And she has even called me by phone, when passing through Cols. She tells me that she spent her summer in England, Scotland and Wales, and immediately I began to wonder if we'll ever be able to go abroad. I've often dreamed about it, and I'm intending to make the dream come true, if possible. We must plan for a belated honeymoon. At the luncheon today, I heard an attorney tell Mr. Knepper, that he had just taken his honeymoon. He now has a daughter in college. I hope we'll not need to wait that long.
I stopped at the old office yesterday. Mr. Young asked immediately how Dorothy is. The girls and men are anxious to know the wedding day. I truthfully replied "Easter of before". Woe to us if they discern the date beforehand. I would not be surprised if that gang would kidnap one of us, just for the fun of the thing. They all intimate that they owe me something for the "nice" way I treated them. (I did participate in a couple of bellings). Oh, well, we should worry. That won't last long.
Homer told me today that he could not blame you for coming to Cols. since he's here, too. That young man will have to be careful, or I'll tell his wife.
Russ [3] and Bob, trying as they have been, to shake my love for you, have as yet not affected me. You are the one in all the millions around, and you were kept for me. My own unworthiness makes me wonder, often,why you should find me an answer to your love. But since I do know that you care, and how much you care, I have resolved never by word or deed to do anything to merit your displeasure or to cause you to lose faith in me. God willing, I want to be your husband, and an imitator of your splendid example throughout our lives. Love me always, Dot. Believe in me and I'll do my best for you. I love you.
Andy
______________________________________________________________________________
[1] Bob is William Robert Veach, Dottie's brother.
[2] Marcus Kavanagh (1859–1937), was a Cook County judge in Chicago from 1898 to 1935. His wife, Hermine Templeton Kavanagh, was a British writer best known for her series of short stories which served as the basis for the 1959 film Darby O'Gill and the Little People.
[3] Russel M. Hire, Dottie's brother-in-law.
Envelope
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Sunday, June 15, 2014
January 6, 1927
My dear sweetheart,
Nice it was to get your letter, but I had hoped that Mr. Wright would buy you out on the spot. I'm glad that there was no trouble about the failure to open as usual, but evidently everyone wants us to keep happy. It would have been too bad, to have had cross words meet you on your return. We did have a wonderful time together, Dot. I was never more proud of you than on last Saturday. You were easily the Queen of the Ball. Several comments have reached me indirectly already upon your good looks, and your beautiful gown. But without those, I knew and I know that I love you. You have been wonderful to me, and the closer I am to you, the more I realize how lucky I have been to win you.
We had letters today from Claude and Laura. [1] Both seem still to approve our union. Claude even suggests a trip to Harrisburg. (But if you won't go to Louisville, I know you'll not go East.Laura was suffering over the holidays from one of her sick spells, so that imagine the good times were somewhat marred. Claude too, was under the weather.
Dad reports being kissed in the car again! Oy-oy-oy! What will I do? You didn't by chance kiss Mr. Jones by mistake, too, did you? Tonight we had as guests, two girls from the Traction office where I formerly worked. They came, (one of them with her "sweetie", and a cousin) to see the new home. While they were here, we received word that Dad will come in at midnight; so I stayed up to write you, then to meet him and mail your letter. All my old friends are much interested when they learn of our engagement, and every one wants to meet you. Those who have seen your picture, tell me how pretty you are. I can hardly wait until I can present the original and say, "I want you to know my wife."
It seems that our good friend Elsie does not know you. She realizes that you know her, but denies having seen you before. She took the liberty to call Evelyn Fenker last Sunday to satisfy her curiosity, but Evelyn was too smooth for her, so she's still in the dark. I saw Elsie at Church last night, and was much surprised not to hear any comment from her. This little story which Mother got from Evelyn today seems to explain her failure to congratulate (???) me. You'll have to come again. - Boy! if I could only slip one over on her by introducing you to her as my wife before she learned of our marriage.
To two or three of my girl friends who ask me about our engagement, I cheerfully explain that, being a gentleman, I could not refuse you when you proposed. They have indicated that if they had known that I would do that, they would have proposed long ago. (The little liars.) Anyway, I'm glad you got to me first. Even if Bob and Russ work on me for 3 hours, I'll still have my Dot. Believe it or not - I want her and soon.
Andy
______________________________________________________________________________
[1] Dot's sister, Laura Veach Fast. Laura's husband Claude worked with Andy's father on the Interurban Railroad.
Nice it was to get your letter, but I had hoped that Mr. Wright would buy you out on the spot. I'm glad that there was no trouble about the failure to open as usual, but evidently everyone wants us to keep happy. It would have been too bad, to have had cross words meet you on your return. We did have a wonderful time together, Dot. I was never more proud of you than on last Saturday. You were easily the Queen of the Ball. Several comments have reached me indirectly already upon your good looks, and your beautiful gown. But without those, I knew and I know that I love you. You have been wonderful to me, and the closer I am to you, the more I realize how lucky I have been to win you.
We had letters today from Claude and Laura. [1] Both seem still to approve our union. Claude even suggests a trip to Harrisburg. (But if you won't go to Louisville, I know you'll not go East.Laura was suffering over the holidays from one of her sick spells, so that imagine the good times were somewhat marred. Claude too, was under the weather.
Dad reports being kissed in the car again! Oy-oy-oy! What will I do? You didn't by chance kiss Mr. Jones by mistake, too, did you? Tonight we had as guests, two girls from the Traction office where I formerly worked. They came, (one of them with her "sweetie", and a cousin) to see the new home. While they were here, we received word that Dad will come in at midnight; so I stayed up to write you, then to meet him and mail your letter. All my old friends are much interested when they learn of our engagement, and every one wants to meet you. Those who have seen your picture, tell me how pretty you are. I can hardly wait until I can present the original and say, "I want you to know my wife."
It seems that our good friend Elsie does not know you. She realizes that you know her, but denies having seen you before. She took the liberty to call Evelyn Fenker last Sunday to satisfy her curiosity, but Evelyn was too smooth for her, so she's still in the dark. I saw Elsie at Church last night, and was much surprised not to hear any comment from her. This little story which Mother got from Evelyn today seems to explain her failure to congratulate (???) me. You'll have to come again. - Boy! if I could only slip one over on her by introducing you to her as my wife before she learned of our marriage.
To two or three of my girl friends who ask me about our engagement, I cheerfully explain that, being a gentleman, I could not refuse you when you proposed. They have indicated that if they had known that I would do that, they would have proposed long ago. (The little liars.) Anyway, I'm glad you got to me first. Even if Bob and Russ work on me for 3 hours, I'll still have my Dot. Believe it or not - I want her and soon.
Andy
______________________________________________________________________________
[1] Dot's sister, Laura Veach Fast. Laura's husband Claude worked with Andy's father on the Interurban Railroad.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
December 14, 1926
Sweetest,
I realize, I think, how you might have felt when I asked you to "do the act" and assume responsibility in the selection. I beg forgiveness for a possible misconstruction of your letter. Your suggestion was so good, that I did not for a moment think of any other plan than that I suggested by phone, and which you were kind enough to adopt.
I am only sorry that my pocketbook is not more expansive. I hope that the jewel you selected is worthy, in a small measure, of the girl who is to wear it. Except to hope that you have been entirely satisfied with your choice, your "extravagance" has not worried me. Nothing I can ever get for you in the future, I hope, will ever take the place of this little binding tie. But if after a time, we have amassed enough of the "necessary", I can bring fine jewels to my wife, I am sure that she will even then so far out shadow them, as to make them unnoticable.
If, my dear, another jewel please you more, yet you have hesitated to choose it because of its cost, can't we discuss it a little? We are close enough to each other to obviate any necessity for embarrassment of that kind. It is my only desire to please you, and if the selection I have forced upon you has displeased you in any way, I hope that you'll let me at least try to remedy the disappointment.
I have been wondering about the mailing of it. With the Christmas rush on, I am somewhat concerned about that. I am sure, however, that it will be insured, and well packed, as that it ought come through in good shape if sent soon.
It's great to know that you are content to cast your lot with me. And I cannot help but repeat that I want you as soon as possible. I'm planning a great deal on spending Christmas with you, (my first away from my parents.) They know how to keep us both happy, and are calmly reconciled to my absence on that holiday. I must again insist that you start the New Year right, by spending that week end with us, please (Come to stay if you will!)
The new house is fine, though I've been too busy to spend much time in it. I've hardly had time to turn around, the last two days. It's only fair to warn you now, that I'm sometimes doubtful as to when my time's my own. If it isn't work, it's Lodge, or some other demand on my time. (Of course when I have you here, there'll be an added attraction drawing me to the new home, which ought be irresistable.
The pup is growing - taller and fatter - Mother likes him but hates to clean up after him. I think that with a little patience, we can train him so that he'll prove to be an agreeable pet. He's a bright little rascal anyway.
Last Saturday, 900 or thereabouts, of my announcements were mailed. Some 350 went to formal acquaintances of mine. Already some fine acknowledgements, both to me and to Mr. Knepper have come in. In fact, as a direct result of the card, one old lady phoned the office in my absence, about having a will drawn.
So many complimentary things are said, and so many delightful predictions of success are made, that you might begin to fear that my bump of conceit will swell up and burst. And then, what?
Take care of yourself during this pre-Christmas rush. We'd all rather have your expenses for help increase, than to have you under a physician's care for a breakdown.
Would you like for me to again say that I love you? It has seemed such a natural state of feeling for me, that I hardly think it necessary to repeat. Your company gives me so much satisfaction - you, in my arms, are the answer to a lifetime of waiting. I claim my right to ask you to do your darndest to make it soon.
(You know if you were here with me, you'd not have to sit up till midnight writing to me. I wouldn't let you!)
Today - Tomorrow - Forever
Andy
I realize, I think, how you might have felt when I asked you to "do the act" and assume responsibility in the selection. I beg forgiveness for a possible misconstruction of your letter. Your suggestion was so good, that I did not for a moment think of any other plan than that I suggested by phone, and which you were kind enough to adopt.
I am only sorry that my pocketbook is not more expansive. I hope that the jewel you selected is worthy, in a small measure, of the girl who is to wear it. Except to hope that you have been entirely satisfied with your choice, your "extravagance" has not worried me. Nothing I can ever get for you in the future, I hope, will ever take the place of this little binding tie. But if after a time, we have amassed enough of the "necessary", I can bring fine jewels to my wife, I am sure that she will even then so far out shadow them, as to make them unnoticable.
If, my dear, another jewel please you more, yet you have hesitated to choose it because of its cost, can't we discuss it a little? We are close enough to each other to obviate any necessity for embarrassment of that kind. It is my only desire to please you, and if the selection I have forced upon you has displeased you in any way, I hope that you'll let me at least try to remedy the disappointment.
I have been wondering about the mailing of it. With the Christmas rush on, I am somewhat concerned about that. I am sure, however, that it will be insured, and well packed, as that it ought come through in good shape if sent soon.
It's great to know that you are content to cast your lot with me. And I cannot help but repeat that I want you as soon as possible. I'm planning a great deal on spending Christmas with you, (my first away from my parents.) They know how to keep us both happy, and are calmly reconciled to my absence on that holiday. I must again insist that you start the New Year right, by spending that week end with us, please (Come to stay if you will!)
The new house is fine, though I've been too busy to spend much time in it. I've hardly had time to turn around, the last two days. It's only fair to warn you now, that I'm sometimes doubtful as to when my time's my own. If it isn't work, it's Lodge, or some other demand on my time. (Of course when I have you here, there'll be an added attraction drawing me to the new home, which ought be irresistable.
The pup is growing - taller and fatter - Mother likes him but hates to clean up after him. I think that with a little patience, we can train him so that he'll prove to be an agreeable pet. He's a bright little rascal anyway.
Last Saturday, 900 or thereabouts, of my announcements were mailed. Some 350 went to formal acquaintances of mine. Already some fine acknowledgements, both to me and to Mr. Knepper have come in. In fact, as a direct result of the card, one old lady phoned the office in my absence, about having a will drawn.
So many complimentary things are said, and so many delightful predictions of success are made, that you might begin to fear that my bump of conceit will swell up and burst. And then, what?
Take care of yourself during this pre-Christmas rush. We'd all rather have your expenses for help increase, than to have you under a physician's care for a breakdown.
Would you like for me to again say that I love you? It has seemed such a natural state of feeling for me, that I hardly think it necessary to repeat. Your company gives me so much satisfaction - you, in my arms, are the answer to a lifetime of waiting. I claim my right to ask you to do your darndest to make it soon.
(You know if you were here with me, you'd not have to sit up till midnight writing to me. I wouldn't let you!)
Today - Tomorrow - Forever
Andy
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