Grandview, Mo.
June 16, 1911
Dear Bessie:
This is the ninth day and I have finished that job. I am looking for good luck. I hope we get rain anyway. If I just had a horse that was equal to the drive this hot weather I'd certainly make Independence, but I haven't and my auto friends always want to take me the opposite direction. They generally come and get me when they have an errand to do. I wouldn't ask one of them to take me anywhere because they always think they confer a magnificent favor on any one they ride around. When I can throw my sticks away streetcars will be good enough for me. I think I can get rid of them in a few days. A new Masonic Lodge is being organized at our town and they have given me the principal office. I have the big head terribly. The Deputy Grand Master was out to see us Wednesday night and handed me an awful lot of hot air. I haven't quite recovered from the effects yet.
Do you really think Minnie would want the clock set back now? I thought it usually took some time before they wished things undone. They tell me that the first few months she can burn the biscuit every morning if she chooses and it's all right, but after that she learns what a good cook her ma-in- law was. And the first few months he can be as no-account and good-for- nothing as he wants to be but he soon learns how his pa-in-law made his money. Then it's ho for Reno or South Dakota. It is certainly awful what pessimists these two places have made of people. I am Catholic when it comes to divorce. I believe people could generally settle their differences if they weren't so all-fired selfish.
I guess you do miss Frank. I bet you he don't find any surplus wheat. We'll probably eat cornbread this season. That is provided it rains even in time for corn. I hope he has a good time while he is gone.
We are living on bread and bacon with some canned good thrown in. I can sympathize with those western rummies now who can never raise a garden. Ours is a total failure. We had one measly little mess of peas and there was more soup than peas then. One of our neighbors who has a big orchard says that all the apples are falling off green. I am doing the usual farmer act now. They are always starving to death.
It looks as if Columbus was going to smear it on the Bhiz don't it. I'd like to see one of the games between them. What are you doing to pass this hot weather? I have been spending my time at Grandview in order to keep from reading my eyes out.
Augusta Evans Wilson has been entertaining me with The Speckled Bird. Mrs. Wilson, Mary J. Holmes and Miss Southworth are so stilted and prim that they are actually ridiculous. I can't bear them if I can get something else. I'll even read Geo Elliott or the Essay of Marcus Aurelius. I am going to work now very soon. It seems good to loaf when you can't but when you have to it is disgusting. I hope you'll consider that you owe me a letter as I ask after every mail to see if you've sent me one. I wonder how Ethel likes the "job" I gave her? Write when you can to
Sincerely yours, Harry