Grandview, Mo. May 8, 1912
Dear Bess:
Your good letter came today. Thanks for the good wishes. I'd rather have them from you than anyone. I did not take a day off but worked as usual. Had a very strenuous day anyway though. You know Aileen Duvall and Grace Waggener are here. Mary and mamma fixed up a dinner for me and had Vivian & Mrs. Vivian and Gil. Strode up this evening after work and we have been raising cain.
The girls have gone to bed and Vivian & Strode have gone home. I happened to go to the burg after a harrow this afternoon and got your letter myself. If I hadn't I'd have had no peace. They gave me a hope box at supper anyway. It contained a frying pan soap holder for dish washing a doily a book of recipes and a picture. They of course had it opened at the table so everyone could make caustic remarks. I shall get even with the whole works if it takes seven years.
I asked Strode to go to Independence with me some day and he said he'd be delighted. You can fix it up with Miss Casper and when he can come I'll bring him. It is necessary to have a cork screw and a can opener to get a conversation out of him. You can post her up so she can talk to a yes & no accompaniment. He's a mighty fine fellow if he is ugly and can't talk.
I am mighty glad that Margaret has decided to wait a week. We are so busy that I am sure I'd have been unable to go this week but I can next week I'm sure. You see we are planting corn and it is a job that has to be done in a hurry because if it should begin to rain and do it steadily we'd be stopped and made later than we are. I shall be at it until Wednesday probably. That is how I have it doped out anyway. I hope to drive the planter because I have a reputation for making straight rows. This year I have succeeded in making a rainbow effect that is very charming to anyone not acquainted with farm work. To farmers it is the worst jay trick to make a crooked corn row. There is no excuse for it they think.
I am glad you admire Mary's taste in stationery. (I sent a sample with her.) I don't see why you dislike George's it suits me all right. That is when it has your writing on it.
I do wish you could drive out here now: the grove and most everything is prettier new than it probably will be again for some time. I simply cannot get my court in order or account of business. These girls have made a croquet ground out of it. But that won't make any difference. If you'll let me know when the spirit moves Bill I'll get mamma to have a custard pie and a jar of buttermilk candy.
I guess you got my notes. Could George read his? It takes the whole family to cipher out my letters I send one home.
I don't suppose I can come in this week. The man wants to get off and there is so much to do I don't feel as if I ought to put it all on papa. I shall come in on Saturday before the 19th and go to Miss Illington and stay Sunday if you don't think that would be too much of a good thing.
I shall probably have to go to the city during the week if I do I'll call up. If that low down hired man changes his mind maybe I can come Sunday. Don't you look for me though.
Those girls are about to tear the house down. They are fighting as to who shall sleep in the middle.
Callie Campbell is here and that makes four. One has to sleep on the couch and three in the bed. They think I've gone to bed but I haven't and can hear all their comments on various subjects. There is nothing worth telling. It is mostly fussing.
Please send me a letter for this. It is a poor excuse. But I worked like a Trojan all day had a beating for supper and the life roasted out of me so please excuse.
Sincerely
Harry
Thanks for the Mark Twain monument. I have quit the Star because I can't let loose of $5.20 at one time. Save me some of the short cake.
You've no idea how hot it is out here today. Mary and her two lady friends are going down to Pete's this afternoon provided my Uncle Harry gets back with horse. He has gone to see the loving nephew who is a moving factor in the suit to deplete his land holdings out here. I hope he gets what he went after if he does we can dismiss our suit and live happy for a while maybe.
Some Grandviewites are coming tonight and Mary says she's going to introduce Grace as Miss Waggener from Independence. I'll tell you how works when I see you.
Send me a letter soon
H. S. T.