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Feb. 3rd, 1923
Dearest Carroll:
My last letter was mailed at Ketchikan, then
later I sent Mildred's Xmas letters for you and Scott to read. We
encountered a blizzard there and it was impossible to show Ruth this liveliest
town in Alaska. She went far enough to get some storm rubbers. Then
we had Luncheon on the Spokane, which had been our Convoy, as it were, all the
way. Here it left us to go to Petersburg. Dan Noonan invited us and
the Captain and waiters welcomed us smilingly. Daddie was having a
conference with Judge Miller, an old Alaskan, who lately lived in Seattle, but
is succeeding A. E. Malty, late Asst Dist Atty. Knowing his Brothers and
Sisters lived in Seattle, with the similarity of names, I often wondered?
And one time, I heard some one ask him him [sic] a question I could quite catch,
and he said, "O, [sic] yes, old Charlie must be over 70 now:. However,
"Uncle" spelt his with an ie and I think they came from a Northwestern state.
And he had no Brothers. His Father might have been related. Gladys
Selvin took me to call on the widow, who was visiting her husband's relatives in
the Beacon Hill district. The Sisters seemed quite aristocratic
looking-elderly. At Wrangell, there was snow, but not stormy and we saw
some friends. The last day out, there was very heavy sea and high wind,
especially when we passed the Taku Inlet before sailing into placid Gastineau
Channel. Queen Charlotte Sound was rougher than it had ever been, Daddie
said. Most everybody was seasick. Ruth had always been an excellent
sailor, but Mr. Nowell and I were talking about people getting seasick at the
Luncheon table and Ruth's soup began to cavort. Suddenly, she said, "Well,
good bye" and rushed up. But she was game and came back and finished her
lunch. We played 500 with Mr. Nowell the three evenings and it was a lot
of fun. We had no idea he was so jolly. I thought he was very
Bostonese and excessively polite. Ruth says she will not dare try to
accompany him, but he is looking forward to it. Mildred and John and
friends gave us a warm welcome. It was very cold and a foot of snow made
Juneau and the mountains like a glistening picture card. It kept on
snowing, there were two or three feet. Last winter, it snowed often, but
such a little Since, it has been mild and has melted till the walking is
awful. Little twinkling Shirley Anne Starr had grown older and larger till
I did not know her. She only weighs 12 and a half pounds yet however, and
is still a dainty, red cheeked doll. She has the rosiest cheeks, sleeping
on the porch, and Mildred takes her out in one of those push sleds. She is
very happy and good. Mildred makes an ideal Mother and tries to be a
sensible one, too.
She and Ruth have grand times discussing
Babies. Ruth has such a marvelous Baby, that she considers herself an
authority on diet, dress and habits. She is rapidly getting acquainted and
the nice Juneau ladies pallning parties. She does not sleep very well and
is nervous, but I hope the change and morning rest will build her up, if she
will only be contented to stay long enough. She has had a letter from
Roger and two telegrams from her Mother assuring her of the Baby's fine
progress. Mr. Hamlin was ill in bed when we came away. We have not
heard from Marguerite yet, but hope to do so, tomorrow. This was to be
initiation week and perhaps we will have a Cable of the great event. I
think I wrote you of Pauline, our priceless Second Girl, getting married.
We have been two months out of one. Now, we are trying a young Filipino
Boy. He is doing very well. Good thing to get him broken in before
the Legislature meets. The first Sunday, we went with Ruth to her church.
Yesterday, to the Presbyterian. People gave us a warm welcome and asked
for Marguerite. The Case Family came one evening to hear of their adored
Howard, Last night, the McNaughtons to dinner. Jimmy's Father and Mother.
Yesterday, Mrs. Pugh, Venetia's Mother. Daddie and I walked down town
after church to look at the "Marguerite Bone Trophy". It is a sterling
silver Loving Cup, on an ebony base. It is 9 inches high. On the
other side, "Presented by Gov. Scott C. Bone". On exhibition in
Valentine's window Jeweler. It will be used in future inter-school Meets
in the Debating Contests. It is a fitting reminder of the little Maid the
children all love so well and of her happy Senior year in Alsska. Mr.
Valentine said everybody stopped to look at it and came in to examine it and
thought it was a wonderful thing to do, to inspire the youngsters.
Ruth told Mildred she was crazy about Roger and
holds him up to John as a perfect model of patience, gallantry, consideration
and thoughfukness, [sic]. It is fine he is appreciated, for he is so kind
and tender as a husband and son.
Shirley Ann will be five months old on
Grandma's Birthday. I sent Grandma's Birthday doller [sic] to Aunt None.
Send a little gift to Aunt Sadie, which she coolly [sic] acknowledged. She
alluded to the Xmas visit of Paul and wife with the usual affection. They
did not acknowledge any of our gifts. Elsie and Roger said they had had a
card. I suppose Aunt S. draws her own conclusions and I am glad she
regards them lovingly. It makes me feel sad and helpless but I suppose I
out not to care. They also never wrote about M's illness.
We are anxious to hear how you are getting
along. Hope Scott got Daddie's Xmas letter and check? I sent Paul an
old ivory cigarette holder and her an old ivory drop, Mildred, I think one of
those nice little dictionaries, well bound. Nothing acknowledged and they
never wrote about the Baby.
Tuesday evening. The Mail' the Mail'
Seven days Mail", Picture the excitement. Your dear letter of Jan. 23rd,
our first from Marguerite, and Ruth has letters from Roger, her Mother and
Phyllis all telling her the same things about the Baby.
Among my Xmas gifts, was a fine picture of
Billy Kessler. I have just written him, giving him Scotts address (Astoria
Hotel, if he has not changed) and written Scott, telling him Billy's.
Margu. says Kate is Planning to come up here this summer.
Precious, I fear you will be disappointed
[with?] me not coming East, but I do not suppose we ever can afford it, as long
as we stay in Alaska. Daddie felt it was a big expense me going to
Seattle. Fortunately, I visited most of the time. Just now, I think
I will not go down there again while we stay here. It is so painful
leaving. I awake exactly 25 minutes after five by your little Baby Ben,
every morning. Then is the time of my depression when I ponder over the
remarkable things that have happened in our family. After while I get up
and maybe go out and write one of the many, many letters owing. Then the
day is always full. Little Shirley Anne has some new stunts.
Suddenly, she puts out her little hands and takes hold of mine and wants to rise
up. If her head is elevated slightly, she tries to raise it up and all at
once has so much pep and realizes she is five months old. Her pictures
Sunday, even though a dark day, came out sweetly. Just snaps, you know.
Honey, I am so sorry your eye was troubling
you. Did it get all right again? Two weeks since you wrote.
Tomorrow, Grandma's Birthday. I alsys [sic] have a feeling I want to write
to her. We hope you will enjoy your new Church home. I suppose there
is not a great deal of difference between the Baptist and Christian churches.
Dr. Bruce would like very much to have us come into the Pres. C. I think
Daddie would have been willing when we first came. I was feeling too sad
to do any thing at the time. Yes, it is nice the Abbotts are down there.
I was sorry, too, Elsie decided not to come. I think she was afraid she
might get sick. I hope they will come together this summer. Every
body here thinks they are the ones that have the Baby and seem disappointed it
is not that way. But people naturally expect it when a very young couple
is married under romantic circumstances. Wednesday early. Another
delightful letter from Baby. Would you like me to send them for you to
read? She evidently sent a Cable, but there is Cable trouble and we have
not received it yet. Mildred and John went to a rehearsal for a big
Episcopal church dinner Thursday eve. Sort of a get together one.
You know, Honey, the lines are not sharply drawn up here, and people of one
Congregation turn out to affairs in another church. Daddie is asked to
speak. And ladies belonging to several congregations belong to the Aid
Societies and Guilds. This is dear Grandma's birthday. How we would
be celebrating, if she were here. It is a wonderful morning and the
mountains down the Channel look like a section of the Olympics. The Star
in the East has been marvelous since the Xmas season to see it so low down over
water. Wednesday 4 P.M. Marguerite's delayed Cable is here telling
her ecstacy [sic] in now being a Kappy thru and thru as one of their songs funs.
I am sending her an answer in rhyme. Darling, I dont [sic] believe I told
you how sweet your verse was at Xmas time, especially, because Margu. and I were
a little too sad without the rest of you to feel any poetical inspiration.
Let us pray we will all be together next time. People are always asking
when our other children are coming up here. The Theiles and Miss Ducy,
Court Librarian and a New Yorker, dined here last night. We have Ruth stay
in bed in the morning, as she is not well, then in the P.M. I don't try to do
anything but visit with her and plan something for the eve.
Monday Feb. 12th. This is a long drawn
out letter, but no boat has gone down for ten days. One is promised
shortly and I will mail this now. Am sending one to Scott, too. Our
lovely weather has continued, but it is very icy and dangerous walking.
That is the trouble here. Not cold, but melting and freezing. The
Spokane came in yesterday with a letter from Elsie. She hopes to come up
later. Wishes you and Scott were back in Seattle and I sincerely wish so,
too. I know you are both lonely for home folks. Daddie had a message
from Scott he was not located yet. Thursday, 30 callers and more
invitations for Ruth. We all went to the big Episcopal dinner.
Humorous two minutes speeches from the Governor and others. Friday.
We were asked to come over to the E. Church and help eat the scraps for
Luncheon.
The Shoups and Father Rocatti came to dinner.
We had a game of 500. The Father is a very jolly, sweet tempered little
man and he and Ruth had many mutual acquaintances. Ruth had several more
home letters with snaps of the Baby. Daddie and I went to the little
Methodist Church this A.M. Dr. Allen suddenly left them. They have a
substitute Minister, who is a Member from Nome in the coming Legislature, Ruth
is not so well and must stay in bed two days. She missed Church and a
lovely dinner at Frank Boyle's this eve. Mildred will send you snaps of
the Baby. It was a dark day, but they are sweet. The best with her
own little Brownie Camera, I gave her Xmas. Ruth is also missing a
beautiful Luncheon that was to be given for her today and the Firemen's Ball
tonight. It is a big social event in Juneau, as they are prominent
business men, you know. Lots of love from us all, Darling.
Lovingly,
Mammie
Envelope: from - Governor's House,
Juneau, Alaska; postmark - (ripped) Alaska, Feb 13, 1923, 1PM; to - Mr. Carroll
A. Bone, Traffic Dept., C. M. & St. P. Ry., 42 Broadway, New York City |
