To Bertha from Beth Cary – October 25, 1938
St. Cloud Mirror
509 5th Ave. S.
Dear Bertha,
I was so glad to hear from you again; was afraid you had gone home last spring without stopping. Thought there might have been illness. Anyhow, my fear was groundless and we will be glad to have you anytime. Alice is away teaching and her bed is empty and waiting. Don’t expect her again until Thanksgiving.
We aren’t on relief yet and still get three meals a day do don’t worry. We try not to. [Note: The US unemployment rate was 19% in 1938.] This has been an exciting fall-politically. State elections are the 8th of Nov. here and things are plenty hot. We hope to oust the farm-laborites this time but it will be a squeeze as they spend state money to buy votes. [Note: The Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party was a left-wing political party that largely dominated Minnesota politics during the Great Depression, and was one of the most successful statewide third party movements in United States history. The Farmer-Labor governor was defeated in the 1938 election.]
The war scare kept us up nights and I’m not so sure that feeding the Czechs to the wolves will help any in the long run. [Note: She is referring to Hitler occupation of Czechoslovakia earlier that year.] It was tense here and Europe must have been a fright like sitting on a keg of dynamite.
Not going to tell you all the news as will see you so soon. Both Leigh and I spoke of you the week your letter was en route – Talk of mental telepathy.
Hope our lovely fall weather holds out a few weeks longer for your benefit. Never can remember seeing such a fall.
Let us know when to expect you.
Lots of love.
How are those tonsils?
Beth
