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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 01/01/1910

    1214 S. Mass. Ave.

    Sedalia, Mo.

    c. January, 1910

    My Dear Son,

    …I thought you would probably have seen in the paper where Polly B. had got married, but if you didn't get the paper regular you may not know about it. Well she got married last Wednesday night or a week ago tomorrow night at Smith & Cotton's home. Foraker had only been dressed 10 days after getting out of bed when he got married. I was very much surprised at Polly marrying till he had got well and strong. She must have been very anxious when she would marry what you might call a sick man.

    The mother would have liked they had waited till he had got properly well and at work but I guess Polly could not wait any longer. The mother acted crazy when Polly was leaving to get married. She screamed and hollered Robert, he is taking Polly away. Foraker came in a carriage for her. When he went to her to bid her goodbye she says go away from me. But she finally said goodbye. She would not let them come home so they went to the Huckins Hotel. She did not see them get married.

    I think there was a lot of put on with her foolishness. Crazy work I call it for I believe she wanted Polly to get married. I believe she had some selfish motives for the way she has done, liking to make people believe she was not pushing Polly out and probably to make Foraker believe he was getting somebody that was hard to get. She is a peculiar woman. I heard she was sick and had a doctor so I went there Sunday and saw the bride and groom and all was so happy as could be and the old lady as happy any of them. She sent for them to come home and gave them the key to the house and told them as long as she had a house they had a shelter. So you see there was something queer about her anger. Such a big change in such a short time.

    Stanley told her not to let them live with her. He said if he came to Sedalia Ann might think she had just as good a right to live there as Polly and she could not do it. I believe that is just what Stanley would have done if he came here.

    When I was there on Sunday, Polly could not keep her hands off Foraker, kissing and putting her arms around him. She was tickled she was married. She did not seem to give the man any peace. Oliver put some coal in. Oliver help with supper and fetch water in. The man needed rest for he was not strong. She said he got up and made the fire and helped to get breakfast.

    Polly has got very beautiful clothes the mother bought her. She showed me her white satin dress. Elegant indeed. I expect the president's daughter hasn't any nicer. Polly is far from being a nice modest girl. When she put her tea jacket on to get supper I thought she looked common class of a girl. She never sent me word she was married.… She sent Mrs. Gornal a card to say she was married and she phoned to Annie Craven and Mrs. Jakemen to tell them. I was not going to say anything about it to her but she wanted to know how I knew. I said you did not tell me. You sent a card to Mr. G. and phoned to the others. I said I had thought of not giving you anything. I just gave her some knives and forks. We did intend to give her large and small spoons as well but I told Papa knives and forks were enough and he thought so too. She said she wrote to Mrs. Gornal so as she would go and stay with her mother.…

    Well I am glad for your sake that you have no love affair, that your mind is free to scale the heights of fame. And when you can in comfort settle down and keep in comfort the one you love I would like to see you married and enjoy home comforts. I would be selfish to say don't get married, or to advise anything that would deprive you of love and comfort which only a wife can give in that sphere. Your love for your father and mother would not be any less nor our love for you. I would be happy in your happiness, but we did want you to have no entanglements till you were through for your own sake. But when you get to the point of looking for a partner you must not be too exacting or looking for perfection for that is not to be found in our race but you will find some that is not all perfection and will make you a good wife and a happy home.

    I just heard yesterday that poor Mrs. Rose has been sick again takeing treatments again. They thought they would have to operate on her again and she has lost the sight of one eye and the other is very weak. Poor thing. She has a hard time of it (Opal called and told me).

    Gornal came down for his Xmas treat, wine and cakes. It was an awful bad day, sleet and rain, but Gornal couldn't miss his treat.

    Let us know about your work in surgery, what operations you have made. It is a pity you could not find out whether Dr. Cushing wanted you before you go for those examinations. Was it Cushing told you to instruct that class.

    I think you ought to put your flannels on. Mamie Knaus got married. Rudolph Ramhow got hurt at the shop, his arm fractured and face cut, 16 stiches had to be taken in it.…

    Your loving Mother

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