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April 3rd, 1925.
Carroll, Dearest Boy:
Yesterday, this Telegram came to Daddie -
Please advise if your Son, Paul, is in N.Y.,
City at present and if so, will you kindly forward to us proper identification
of his stop Also please advise if he is in good standing with your Excellency
A reply of the desired information depends upon a trust of importance being
bestowed upon your son - Signed M. Glaser and Co Inc, 130 West 42 St.
Naturally, we are deeply interested and hope
this means something good for Paul, poor boy, he has waited so long.
I thought it would have been wiser for Daddie
to have write Paul, care of your address, but he seemed to think he would still
be at #5 Whitney St., which was the address given in his last letters, and which
we suppose is the home of Marion's Mother.
So, Carroll, dear, please, when you read this,
let me know if Paul got Daddies message telling him to communicate with this
firm. Daddie also wired them Paul's address as above and stating he was
efficient and reliable.
Daddie thinks this may be Marguerite Kaufman's
husband and that they may have moved from Boston to N.Y.
I suppose we will hear particulars from Paul.
My last letter was written to Paul in your care
and I think, it was mailed on the boat just before reaching Juneau. When
we reached Petersburg, there was much snow, and I expected to find five feet in
Juneau, as all told me there had been the first severe winter in many years.
It rained all the way, and when I reached here,
the little rain maker was not surprised to find it raining hard and most of the
snow gone from the level. For several days the weather was bad, rain, snow
and cold, but now, for a week it has been very beautiful.
Daddie met me and he was the gladdest man you
ever saw. He said he never was so glad to see any one in his life.
The last two months in the big house had been so desolate, because of the bad
weather, water being out off [sic] much of the time and because of the miserable
things which you know.
He had been overwhelmed with invitations and
had Karl here much of the time and other friends in to play Cribbage in the
evening, but between times he had felt lonely and depressed and was so pleased
when I arrived.
Karl had sold his furniture and given up the
house and Mrs. Sorby, the devoted friend, who has always taken care of little
Karl, had taken the Baby below to visit Mary's parents and her relatives.
Karl staid [sic] here about two weeks. Now, has gone to the Hotel.
Little Beney, who had been our "Second Girl"
had been doing the cooking and looking after things generally. He is still
our only "Maid," with the exception of Ed, the Janitor, our easy going, capable,
cheerful handy man. When we are in trouble or want any extra help, or
carpentering or plumbing, or mailing, or errands, etc. we generally call on Ed.
I found Daddie furiously angry because of the
clumsy way in which his voluntary retirement had been handled by some of the
papers. As you know, it was well known in Alaska, Seattle, in the East and
at headquarters in Washington, he would not consider a reappointment. He
had had amicable correspondence with the Dept to that affect and because of this
decision, his successor, of whom he approved, would be appointed.
I had determined to not be too depressed as I
knew Daddie would need all my cheerfulness and optimism, then, of course, I
could not understand it, until I had talked with him. Mildred and
Marguerite were just crushed and could not understand why I would keep brave and
a smiling and dignified front.
Well, we talked and we talked and we talked.
Daddie said he did not mind the hurt and injury to himself much, but the pain
such bungling afflicted on his family and friends.
Evidently, the carelessness and stupidity were
much regretted in Washington. He had very fine letters from Sec. Hoover,
Ashmun Brown and others. And now, of course, you have read the splendid
letter from the President. It could not be more masterly in any way and
should prove a great asset to Daddie.
I have begged him to write to different papers,
a Roger suggested, and in a fine, dignified manner, make it known he was
available for a connection. Roger expressed it so wonderfully, but
unfortunately, did not write to Daddie just as he had just as he had talked it
out to me. Daddie, as of old, does not think that is the way to do.
Perhaps he is right and perhaps something will come along as it has always done
before.
When I noticed the retirement of Roy Martin, I
suggested there was a fine opportunity and it appealed to him and I urged him to
take some steps. However, he said his influential friends knew he was
available and they could choose him on April 23rd, if they wished. I urged
they would not know he was, especially, if they saw the story he was to be the
Editor of a prominent N.Y. Daily.
As it is, now, we do not in the least know
where we will go from here. We keep in pretty good spirits. That is
caused perhaps by the constant flow of love and wonderful manifestations of
respect and regret that we are going here in Juneau and from all over the
Territory. You children would certainly be proud if you could hear the
lovely things said to us on every side. Such as there never was a family
so beloved. That they had hoped till the very last we would stay.
That we had no idea of the place we held in this community. They insist
every body loves us and regrets we are going. I guess there is no doubt
there is only a very small percent that is unfriendly. They say never was
a Governor so beloved and that Daddie is the best Governor the Territory ever
had. I tell them they make it very hard for us to go. Every time we step
out, all just beam on us and every where we go there is the same outpouring of
affection just as it was when we left Washington and Seattle. It is worth
while to have lived to have made such friends as we have in each community we
have lived.
I had a very sweet welcome and a number of
invitations to parties and both of us to dinners at once. There were five
Xmas packages waiting for me and it was rather exciting opening Xmas in March.
Two lovely guest towels from Mrs. Cole and handsome presents to send on to
Mildred, Marguerite and Shirley Anne. A lovely silver tea mat from Mrs.
France, a pretty booklet, Wilbur Nesbit's "Yesterdays with You" from Mrs. Minnie
Smith. A big jar of Bunte's confections from Dick Mullett.
While the house was orderly, the bad storms of
the winter and soft coal had done their deadly work to walls and ceilings and I
felt the whole house needed a bath.
I rushed madly to and fro, from room to room,
from floor to floor unpacking, straightening closets, drawers, beds, dressers,
rehanging pictures I had with me, getting out photos, wanting to do everything
at once, answering phones and receiving callers.
While it is not for long, things have to be
attractive and clean as possible until we really tear up and pack and especially
we have to make ready for the usual Reception to the Legislature. I had
written instructions as to curtains. The upstairs ones had been washed,
but the lower ones, quite handsome, that I had made, still had to be cleaned.
They were sent to the Pantorium. Help is scarce and we only just have
secured a woman to wash windows and clean woodwork. It is impossible for
Beney to do all in this big Mansion.
I washed part of the pictures and will let the
others go till next week, as it makes my head too top heavy for church.
There will be loads to do the few days before the event, which is scheduled for
April 9th. The invitations will read in honor of the Territorial
Legislature and the Governor designate --
Then, next week, the final touches by the First
Lady as to beds, dressers, soap, towels, powder, puffs, lace covers, flowers,
"Pourers," assistants, dish washers --
There have been two Thursdays, with many
callers. All ask lovingly for each of the absent ones and especially for
the darling Baby of the House, Shirley Anne. I have to tell her latest.
In Mildred's last letter, she had asked S.A., "Do you love me, Darling?"
"Yes, I am very fond of ladies and gentlemen?" "Who is your gentlemen?" "Fahvah
and Uncle Charles."
Harvey Sullivan, a fine Alaskan, of Valdez,
passed through. He told of his niece being present at the Hotel Assembly,
when Mrs. Ker had the Alaska children and Marguerite had sung about two hours at
their delighted request. He said they "were just frantic" about her voice.
Mrs. Ker broke her legs the day after she
reached here and after church, Sunday, Daddie and I went to call on her at the
hospital. She is a lady who speaks with utmost frankness as to likes and
dislikes and we were quite impressed the way she raved over Marguerite.
She said it was the sweetest, purest, most beautiful voice she ever heard.
It just made her weep, some quality in it. I guess we used to notice that,
didn't we?
There was some Scotchman there who heard her
and had to leave because of an engagement. He came back and said, "I broke
it" and had her sing, "A bowl of roses" six times. He told Mrs. Ker she
was the sweetest little girl he ever saw and asked if she were 18 yet. All
speak of her extreme sweetness and modesty.
Willis Nowell (our great violinist) told me
Mrs. Nowell had written him of hearing her that day in Meany Hally and she just
couldn't find words to express her admiration of her voice and the development
in such a short time. He said Mrs. Nowell was very critical and a good
judge. There were two people I most wanted to hear Margu. sing. One
was Mr. Nowell and the other, Mrs. Phillips. Still the latter never heard
you or her play in all the time we lived there and she might not take any
interest till she really "arrived."
I do take the greatest interest, Darling in
your ambitions and I do hope it will work out for you. Several have said
the finest thing for you to do would be to get a position in a big Music House.
There to have access to pianos, to meet musicians and in a short time it would
work out that you could take lessons of a fine teacher. Why do you not
bend all your energies to getting such a position? You have never said.
The Bar Assn paid Daddie the unusual compliment
of a Banquet and Love Feast. He came back thrilled thru and thru with the
marvelous tributes from the local Bar and visiting Solons. [sic] The
Legislature is a fine body and strongly behind Daddie with the exception of two
malcontents.
Mrs. Smith returned from California Monday.
She adores it down there and wishes so much they could live there. Mildred
writes of getting settled in the little new home and how Nan Nan
enthusiastically helps and hinders. Roger writes such dear, affectionate
letters, so full of optimism and suggestions to Daddie. The latter acted
on one big one by writing to Harry Chandler of the Los Angeles Times. Next
to the N. Y. Times, I suppose a connection with that would appear to him.
Wherever we go, my dear One, we must be close
together. And I hope dear Paul and others will not be far away. Life
is growing too short for us to be so widely separated.
I went to a lovely luncheon at Mrs. Dr.
DeVighne's, we dined with the good Major Beaumont's to an elaborate fish dinner
at the Kashevaroffs, (Russian Priest) several Russian courses. She is a
very fine woman. Dined at the Judge Reed's, and had other invitations we
could not accept. Last night, to an elegant Ball given by the Shriners.
Two thirds of those present came up and greeted us with the greatest cordiality
and affection.
The day after I came back, a lady sent me a
nice cake by three little girls. Each held stiffly in front of her a
daffodil and recited in unison. "We are so glad you are back." It
was so cute, I nearly wept. When they left, a little boy asked, "Huh, what
are you doing at the Governor's Mansion?" They answered haughtily, "First,
we shook hands with President Harding, now, Mrs. Bone kissed every one of us."
I did not know I was such a celebrity. Their Mothers said they were so
excited they talked of it all afternoon.
One eve, we played 500 with the Governor-elect.
He is a pleasant, handsome young man of 42, quite casual in his manner and quite
unaffected by the new honor. He seems to think a lot of Daddie and comes
in many times to talk over indignantly the way his retirement was handled so
clumsily. He is popular with the men and will be quite a catch with the
girls. Sometimes we hear he will close the Mansion. That will be
quite a blow to the community.
Mrs. Smith, who was my great friend and
collaborator in the fixing up and adding to the conveniences and luxuries made
possible by the appropriation two years ago, said it was quite a joke on me, as
I was so solicitous for the future comfort of the Governors' families to come
after us. Well, I am glad to leave it so much more comfortable and
attractive and livable. Then, I am glad not to see it deteriorate, as it
certainly will, most of the furnishings being 12 years old.
I find the house is very dear to me since the
birth of the Baby who brought such joy and sunshine to so many hearts and since
I did put so much of my personality into it by my labors and the memory of the
children being here and so many important events that our kind friends made
successful by their timely aid.
I used to wonder if it would be this way, that
I would dread to see the last days fly. I am glad the four years are over
as far as official life is concerned, but I do wish I knew where we were going
ad that a home was sure again and to be near our children.
Daddie is to write an article for the Sat. Eve.
Post.
Monday. Sweetest Boy, Your most welcome
letter of Mar. 24th came last night very late. One from Lora describing
their new Apt. They left San Rafael because of the distance and are at
3826 Calif. St., Apt 7, San F. and are delighted, though they were sorry to
leave pretty San R. I am glad for I could see she would be lonely thru the
long day and Scott had to get [up] at 6 and did not get home till 6 or later.
Scarcely any time together. Then, it was hard to hear their lovely little
cottage.
I am charmed to hear of the sons and hope for
all kinds of good luck. I suppose you never had any time to work with
mine, did you? I guess they were not very good material for practical use
any way. Daddie thinks I ought to try and publish them. Where would
you suggest would be a good try? I never had much faith in any one wanting
them.
Dearest, it does not seem that we can go just
where we wish or where the children want us to so much, just where we can
because of money conditions. O, [sic] if I only could get him to write
different big papers. Surely he could do it in a dignified way. It
is just as it was four years ago. He thinks he cannot be put in the
attitude of "applying."
But, how can they know unless he lets them know
he is available? Well, the Lord has provided before.
We will have the great joy of having you with
us for a time. That is marvelous to look forward to.
Mildred writes of the wonderful bargain they
got in furniture. The man claims he put $2200 in to it, and his wife left
him. Mildred says all quite and in good taste, to just what she would have
chosen, but enabled them to go right to housekeeping, as there were all the
essentials.
Mahogany piano lamp, incense burner-prayer
figure, 2 mah[ogany] rockers, 2 straight chairs, smoking stand, mah[ogany], rug
about 8 by 20, Brunswick Phonograph, lots of records, phone stand - mah.,
several pretty pictures, cost from $6 to $25. Walnut bed room set, bed,
chiffonier, Vanity, 2 mattresses, 2 bed room lamps, Vacuum cleaner, ice boat,
broom , mop, kitchen gas range, 77 pieces pretty china, many odd pieces, kitchen
silver, 34 pieces Rogers silver-1847 pattern, tea towels, table cloths, napkins,
spreads, sheets, pillow cases, blankets, 4 pillows, 8 comforts, bath towels,
face towels, bed cover, box couch. All for $300.
They will watch sales, she said, for VERY GOOD
pieces to add. If she had her bed room set and wedding pieces from
Richmond, they would need little else. We have sent their big boxes from
here.
Now, I must go wash pictures, etc. etc.
Love, dearest boy and best hopes for your songs and our pictures.
You own loving,
Mammie
Envelope: from - Mrs. Scott Bone,
Governor's House, Juneau, Alaska; postmarked - Juneau, Alaska Apr 6, 1925 4 PM -
2nd postmark - Newton, Mass, Apr 14, 1925, 12PM; to - Mr. Carroll Bone, 55
Hausen Place, Central Bravely, Brooklyn, N.Y. |
