Royal's letter to Martha Sept 15, 1936

I am reaching the end of the dated letters. Soon, because he wrote so often, Royal stopped dating his letters. He becomes less formal. That means I will just do my best to try to figure out a sequence from the contents or randomly type them.

In this letter he talks about "Gretchen" I think she must be the woman who introduced Royal & Martha. Royal & Mr. Lewis are going to Denver for the State Schools Convention and there they will have dinner with Gretchen. This of course will remind him of Martha etc.

He also talks about another school superintendent who married a high school girl he was 50 she was 16. I would think that must have been a cause of talk.

RLR

September 15, 1936
Dearest Martha,

It is now eleven pm. I have worked like a dog all day. We have been making an inventory of the science lab. Since dinner I had NY-A students helping. One was good the other not so good.

Mr. Lewis mailed your letter in Lamar today.

I'm sorry the special delivery did not arrive Sunday as I had planned. I mailed it here Saturday and by all right it should have burst in some time Sunday. I am glad if anything I write can thrill you. I'm glad you are happy and sweetheart I certainly hope you are looking forward to a wedding, because there must be one. Perhaps your outlook has changed concerning the things that would be necessary for comfortable living in the near future. Poets say two can live as cheap as one but not with exactly the same articles.

It is quite cool here - this climate in the fall is superior to every place - even Illinois. Let me recommend it to you for the fall of 1937. My feet were awfully cool last night but not so cold as my heart. Somehow this heart of mine just has not had the practice it knew this summer. Remember it is all staring up and beware the Illinois "gal" that has to be there when the tide is unstemmed.

Of course you are not to be jealous women never are, but the art teacher handed kisses out to all men teachers and invited them to take more at future times. She's a blonde - you know that Downer [?] woman. Please don't get excited Mr. Lewis and I are running on the level this year. Maybe some of the same talents that won the lyre [?] would, make life less monotonous for the wife. I somehow don't look forward to a great deal of monotony.

No we don't do any such thing as you mention. We get a life certificate it is just that. No more no less. We don't even need to teach in order to keep ours in force. What is the title of the book?

Our state convention is to be November 5-6-7. That means we leave here November 4th to go to Denver. We have two football games the next week, which will surely break in on these school days. Mr. Lewis and I will have dinner with Gretchen November 6. It will surely make me long for someone from the old state of Indiana. The fact that I may be broke may not be the only reason I may not have an appetite. We will go together next year.

As far as I can tell School is getting along quite well. We are having a few complaints once in a while but really it is well nigh impossible to please everybody.

A little Poem:

The violet is much too shy,
The rose too little so;
I think I'll ask the buttercup
If I may be her bean.
When winds go by I'll nod to her
And she will nod to me,
And I will kiss her on the cheek
As gently as may be.
And when the mower cuts her down,
Together we will pass,
I smiling at the buttercup,
She smiling at the grass.

I don't know whether you get sentimental over little poems or not, but I fear that I sometimes do.

All men teachers go to Walsh to the Knights of the Hickory Stick Banquet, tomorrow night. Mr. Rost is the Supt. that married a high school girl. (50 & 16) He will be presented with rejuvenation pills speeches etc. I really expect a high & hilarious time. I'll be in favor of being lenient with the man as my turn comes soon and sure.

Mr. Austin and I are going to church tonight. It is a series of protracted revival meetings. We must appear there some - Will go next year.

Love to my bestest [?] girl,
(better than the art teacher!)
Royal