Dear Bess: January 7, 1913
Transcript
Welcome to the Dear Bess/ Dear Harry podcast for January 7, 2022, a service of Harry S Truman National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service. We have one of the most wonderful of the Dear Bess letters for you today, from this date in 1913. In this letter it’s easy to pick up on frustration that Harry S Truman, farmer, was having with business and life. But you can also hear that trademark Truman optimism, and, as always, the deep love and admiration he has for Miss Wallace in Independence.
January 07, 1913 Grandview
Dear Bess:
I was all kinds of a fool for not accepting your invitation to stay. When I got home the hired man was here. I didn't get cold but it was not the most agreeable walk in the world from Grandview. Besides instead of being thanked for getting home to milk I got nothing but jibes. Papa had the impudence to ask me if your mother kicked me out. Pretended he was anxious for me to stay because he wanted me to go see Judge Mize on business. Any old time I ever let grim duty interfere with my inclination or pleasure it will be a warmer night than the last one was. You know Mark or Bill Nye or some other smart man has said that when business interferes with pleasure, by all means let business go hang. It seems that people who do are as well off. Anyway they're not pursued by bad hoodoos as I told you I am. Some day I shall whirl on that hoodoo and knock it into a cocked hat, then things will begin to come right.
I bought an Adventure last night and entertained myself with bloodcurdling stories on the train so I'd feel nice and comfortable coming down the road. This month's number sure contains some hair raisers. I took your watch chain and hid it in my hat band. I was going to tell my good holdup man to take my dollar and half but leave such chain provided he found it. I wouldn't lose that for a farm. It's my good luck piece now. I'm not one bit superstitious, oh no. But you know there is always a part of the giver along with a present and that's what makes it precious. I'd be most empted to eat that chain rather than let someone get it.
My letters are like the ones Agnes's flame used to send her. They are candidates for the kitchen stove. These sheets are large enough to start a good fire. I think I shall follow your stunt and get some very, very tiny note paper then they go down the register easily anyway. You ought to use some larger paper. You get the best of me in that. One of my sheets is as big as your two. I'll admit that one of yours is worth all mine but you should give as much paper anyway.
You sure punctured my head in your last. Mrs. Southern was most awful nice to say what she did. Even when you know such things are mistakes they make you feel good. I was on the point of buying a new hat and having my picture took and all sorts of things. Really now, won't you get me a picture made for my watch lid? I want it most awful bad. You know I only have two of you and neither of them is half as good looking as the original. Now you ought to give me one anyway. If it'll help any I'll say they couldn't make one that would be, though I'd like you to let them try.
Are you going to let me come over next Sunday? I hope so. It'll be a mighty long week. There are no holidays in this one and not a good show in town that I've heard of. Besides I'm busted anyway. Boxley is going to New Mexico and has politely informed me that two hundred dollars are in order. That guy keeps me busted from month to month. If it keeps up much longer I'm going into the hands of a receiver in Judge Pollock's court. That seems to be a money making proposition. It wouldn't work in my case for I'm not a public service corporation. I have nothing I could raise the price on except hot air, and that's too high already.
You owe me a four-sheet notepaper letter. At least I think you do. Here's hoping I get it. You are going to get this on Tuesday. Ought I to send one so you'll get it on Wednesday too? I'll have to know pretty quick if I do.
Today is another good day to contemplate a walk to Courtney. I dreamed the other night that you and I took a longer one that that. I was afraid to tell it 'cause it's a bad sign. But I hope it comes true. Not the sign.
Most sincerely, Harry
One of the most wonderful of all the letters. It contains some frustration, some optimism, but, most of all, lots of love. This letter could be all the proof one needs that Harry S Truman loved Bess Wallace more than anyone or anything in the world.
A digital copy of the original can be seen here: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/truman-papers/correspondence-harry-s-truman-bess-wallace-1910-1919/january-7-1913-postmark