Sunday, September 7th, 1924.
Shirley Anne is two.
Darling Carroll:
Your good letter of Aug. 25th came just after I
sent my last of the 31st, then one was waiting for Daddie. I knew
Marguerite would tell you of her fine birthday, the buffet supper and gifts,
including the adorable little fountain pen. I had never seen one, but she
had and was so thrilled to possess the charming, useful little novelty.
She was so touched that her darling brother had
remembered her.
I, too, have not heard from Paul for a long
time, not since you first went to Boston, I guess, I had a nice letter.
Julia arrived Tuesday night and Daddie from the
Westward on Friday. As he is occupied with thoughts of the coming meeting
of the Fish Commission and has ear trouble, being temporarily quite dead, have
not taken up the question of immediate future plans.
The previous moments of the children's stay
with us will quickly pass. It seems too dreadful to contemplate. I
suppose it is a good thing we are so terribly busy. It is difficult always
to pick a time in ou8r life here when we are less busy than others. It
always seems a jump from one rush to another.
We are all sewing at top speed between other
activities, except Mildred, who packs instead.
In the mean time, we have stopped for the two
birthday parties and farewell parties given by our friends.
Did I say we did not expect Julia until about
the 6th and were surprised to get a wire from Uncle Al she would be here the
2nd. She arrived on the Princess Alice in the eve.
She looks fine and beautiful and has very
stunning clothes. Enjoyed her trip immensely. Came by Prince Rupert,
you know.
The next day, we unpacked, talked and admired
Shirley Anne.
The weather was abominable. The ext day,
Thursday, we had quite a number of callers, about 30, I guess, and served Tea in
the Dining Room instead of the Living Room, as we always do on ordinary
occasions.
Yesterday, Saturday, Mildred invited all the
babies in town that were at Shirley Anne's party last year and a few additional.
They were all around two years old. Of course, the Mothers came, too.
One father, Lester Henderson, and Mr. and Mrs. Leivers to take pictures. A
few friends who love Nan Nan so much, Mrs. Roedeker, Mrs. Smith, Miss Faldine,
Red Cross Nurse. Hilma, our former maid came today and yesterday, Mr.
Berry, the old curio man, who adores her and has made her numerous valuable
presents. The little Princess again was showered with gifts. This
time, she had some beautiful little frocks, two cunning gowns, tiny books, fancy
garters for socks and socks, all so useful, etc. The devoted Hilma made
her a birthday cake. Marguerite gave her an Alaskan spoon and Mammie
surprised them all by making her a little pink and yellow bath robe.
Mildred was so delighted. Artistic Julia made a pink star and streamers to
suspend from the chandelier, from pink crepe paper. The infants had ice
cream, cake, cookies, animal crackers, milk and all day suckers.
Some of the older children came in later.
She is such a beloved Baby and she is a marvelous child. Julia is
certainly amazed at her vocabulary. People now think she must be three or
four.
This morning, your little sister sang a solo in
church. She had had a very bad cold, and it required courage. She
insisted she was terribly scared and that her throat clutched and so on, just as
the great singers all complain. But we thought she did awfully well.
The church was full and Dr. Bruce said he just felt he wanted to take her home
with him and keep her. Anyway, don't you think it admirable for a girl
ostensibly with a tiny contralto and to suddenly to have developed a high
soprano to sing a solo in church with 8 months study?
She worked on "Rest, Rest for the Weary" and
really did it beautifully, but Mildred was afraid it was too pretentious and she
might fail on her high notes, but I do not think she would at all.
She felt better to sing something she had had a
lesson on. It was "In the Time of Roses," which we decided was enough of a
sacred song. Last Sunday, Leslie White, with an exquisite tenor voice,
sand and there was a small audience.
Thursday night, he had a farewell Concert.
We were sorry to miss it, as we were asked down on the ship. He leaves for
Chicago to become a Doctor, or go in for Scientific research.
Tonight, Daddie is entertaining five members of
the Fish Committee to dinner.
It is not raining and John, Julia and the Baby
have gone for a ride.
Lots of love, dearest, and I am glad you like
Boston so well and hope the more desirable position will materialize.
Mildred just had a card from Ruth saying she had made a dress for Shirley Anne's
Birthday.
Lovingly,
Mammie
Envelope: from - Governor's House,
Juneau, Alaska; postmarked - Juneau, [Territory rubbed out], Sep 8, 1924,
5:30PM; to - Mr. Carroll A. Bone, Huntington Ave Y.M.C.A., Boston, Mass. |