Letters of Madlin Wells

 

[Keokuk, Iowa]
August 12, 1931

 Dear Aunt Bertie & Grandpa,

    Yes, you probably think I’ve forgotten you entirely – but I surely have not, in fact, I think about you quite a lot. I am just getting worse and worse where it comes to writing letters.
Aunt Bertie, thanks so much for the pictures we think they are very good. The ones we took were not very good. I didn’t think these worth having copies made. You always did have good luck at taking pictures.
    Did you both enjoy your stay at Ocean City? It was sure a treat to us to see the old ocean again. I miss it so much in the summer out here.
We have some bathing beaches along the Mississippi but they look quite tame to me. My family have been in swimming but the river looks pretty dirty to me. I am afraid I’m not much of a duck. I’m sorry I don’t know how to swim. I think sometimes that I’ll go to the Y.W.C.A. and learn. I imagine it is great sport.
    Ann Wells, John’s niece, who is with us – is a fine swimmer – has no fear at all of the water.
Two months ago to-morrow we started on our trip East. The trip is just a memory – but a very pleasant one. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it – if it just wasn’t such an expensive proposition and we could do it oftener. It is your turn now to come to see us. We can’t come to see you any more until you come see us – C?
    There are some folks living near us who are leaving for Chesapeake City to-morrow. We are having marvelous weather – in fact it is a little too cool for August. Right now I have on a jacket. The summer has seemed so very short to me and I am not anxious to have summer pass. I don’t like winter. Three weeks from next Monday Jack starts to school. He will go both morning and afternoon this year.
    I saw in the Register an account of Laura Pusey’s death. What caused it, do you know? I am certainly sorry – she used to go to school with me in the grammar grades.
    Dick is talking more and more all the time. If I do something he doesn’t just approve of he says “I’ll “pank” you Mom”. He insists upon calling me “Mom. I don’t know where he gets it – Jack calls me mother.
    My three boys are in bed asleep and I’m feeling the urge to go to sleep myself. This nice cool weather is inducive to sleep.
    Aunt Bertie I suppose you will soon be back on the old job again. Will you be able to do all your driving?
    Will you stay at the camp this year?
    Write and tell me all the news. Letters from home mean so much to us.
    Love to you both from us all.
        Affectionately
            Madlin

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