Grandview, Mo.
April 17, 1911
Dear Bessie,
Well I ran almost to Kansas City, or would have if a car had not come, all to meet a Battery sergeant and the ornery whelp didn't show up. I called up his wife, and she said he had made a trip to Moberly for the firm. There I was downtown on Sunday night and nothing to do. I made a start for church and landed at the Shubert. Maybe you think I won't tell that person my state of mind when I see him. You know about ten or fifteen of those boys want to come out here some Sunday horseback and stay for dinner. Mr. Elliott was to meet me and make arrangements. They were out here last spring and I tell you they ate more than harvest hands. That's saying as much about their gastronomic ability as is possible without stretching the blanket. It's quite a job for Momma but she says let them come.
I most certainly did enjoy myself yesterday. I liked that church service very much. It is the first time I ever saw one on Easter. I am afraid I thanked your mother too much and you not enough for the pleasure of the day, but you know I appreciated the invitation from you both. I shall remember that dinner for a mighty long time. Were you tired last night? Nellie and Ethel were about all in. It seems to have done me good, for although I didn't turn in until 1:30 a.m. and got up at five-thirty I don't feel a bit sleepy or tired either. If I had known I wasn't going to see that man, I most certainly would have stayed in the good town last night, whether you would have let me come over or not. Course I could have looked across the street.
See the change in my ink? I have poured in some green fountain pen ink. Makes a fine combination.
I went to a party at Grandview a few days ago and they tried to teach me the "hoe down" or country dance. I sure had a circus learning. There is a widow up there who particularly adores Vivian and he of course abominates her. Well when he isn't around she takes her spite out on me. Well when they started the dance she of course took it upon herself to teach me. Did you ever hear them call a "hoe down"? It does something like this: "Swing the girl with the pretty brown hair and now the one with the face so fair. Swing the gal with a lantern jaw and now the one from Arkansas. Balance and turn and left and right and all promenade." Then you do it over. You can get most gloriously dizzy and it's a lot cheaper than booze. There are four couples in a square and you take turn about till you are through with each one. When you have been around once you feel as if you had been sent for and couldn't come.
When we get our new barn done we are going to have a barn dance, and if you and Ethel and Nellie will come out I'll ask Myra and Mary Colgan from Kansas City and all the country boys in seven miles and show you what they can do when a bunch of us farmers get together for a time.
There will be a smooth floor fifty by seventy-two, and I think that is large enough. The barn probably won't be done though until about July. Now please don't forget a week from Saturday, and if you care for one we'll go to a ball game in the afternoon and then to Mrs. White's in the evening-or would that be seeing too much of me in one day? I intended bringing your book home but Mary was reading it and I didn't think you'd care if I let her finish it. I forgot to tell you Momma has taken off fifty-four chickens this morning and they are fine. That fine batch of yours was certainly a wonder with their ten eggs. How did you manage it?
I was very sorry to hear of Lizzie Gossett's death. I always liked her too. I guess Miss Dicie will make California a land of adventure when she gets there. I'd like to hear her tell it when she comes home.
This letter is lengthy and I hope won't bore you to death but please remember you owe me a letter and that is what I am after. I am always glad to get your letters. Please send one soon.
Sincerely, Harry