All letters – Page 13 – BERTHA BALLOU LETTERS

How are things going with your husband? How is your religious life and your life as an artist?

To Bertha from the “Bishop’s Office of Fiesole” – December 15, 1931

My dear Bertha,

So long I waited for a moment free to talk with you… but I feared to reach xmass without answering to your dear and enriched letter. I am sure you did not forget the beautiful language of Dante and Petrarca then I continue in Italian.

[Translated from Italian]

I have never forgotten you; in fact I often look at the card which I keep enclosed in my vest pocket: Giulia Bertha Ballou; Behind that one specific column in the Cathedral I always see a tiny green hat and I wonder to myself if one day we will se each other again.

Miss Reid actually remembered this time to show me your letters but I could never explain to myself how she could forget about her long lost friend or of the “dear Florence” and the “dear Jule”. You remember Saint Antonino’s, well, so much has changed and so many people have died!

Our poor Lady Ida is all by herself now: Even our beloved sister Giuseppina has passed away and Ida has retreated to the four tiny rooms in the basement surrounded by that filthy little parlor and full of so many good memories where I spent many hours over the past 30 years. Lady Ida also wanted to make room upstairs for the hospital which has grown a lot. Ida’s health is fine but she is just tired now and her legs refuse to carry her. I feel that I never loved her more than a monk – She is poor, ill and alone. I would like to be near to her until the death and close her eyes.

My life goes on as usual between the Choir and School and the Bishop’s Office. I often escape to the market, which is my biggest treat oh, how many memories of that street! My health is keeping up: but I do feel the first aches of old age settling in however they do certainly (tell me) that I don’t look my age and that I would have appeared to stop aging at 35 if it wasn’t for the fact that all my hair has fallen out.

I am so anxious to hear some news from you: I did hear about your past woes and your wishes and hopes cut short but I look forward to hearing all the details about your new life in Spokane. Are you living with your mother, sister and the kids? How are things going with your husband? How is your religious life and your life as an artist? How is your health? How is your garden? Our garden at Saint Antonino’s is a mess and all but abandoned.

Miss Reid is still in Fiesole but she is no longer at Saint Antonino’s so I go out to visit her every so often but the situation between Italy and England has cast long shadows over our relationship. [Note: After Mussolini became Prime Minister of Italy in 1922, he was initially accommodated by Britain, which accepted the expansion of Italian sphere of influence over modern Ethiopia. However, future British governments showed more opposition.] Miss Reid is really English and I am not and never will be. Today I am with Ferdinando a fierce Anglophobe who after having eaten a ton of stuff fights over a small strip of land, it disgust me; thus every conversation with Miss Reid ends in a fight…bloodless though.

I received greetings today from Austria from Mrs. Berta who has returned to her house in Chaperon! Donna Ida and Commissioner Batelli have asked me to send you many, many, many of my most affectionate greetings to the unforgettable Bertha. I want to send you an entire bundle of hellos and best wishes to our dear sweet friend on the wings of my affection for you which has never dwindled but only grown in your absence. As for any future letters with your news that I should be expecting that means out of the two addresses I would choose the older one.

Happy, Happy Christmas and Happy New Year dear: Pray for me as I remember you always in my prayers Christmas wishes to your mother and sister.

Good bye, Good bye, Good bye, with love.

I am positive I can make good

To Bertha from Frank Buckler – Date approx.

[Note: Bertha is now married to Frank, who appears to be part of a depression-era tree planting project for unemployed men.]

Headquarters Idaho
Monday Evening

Dearest Bertha,

Came in about 6:30 last evening. A heavily timbered district and very isolated.

There is a nice group of bungalows here – occupied by Forestry Officials and Weyerhaeuser Lumber people. Rent is $17.50 a month with lights and modern plumbing. Several vacancies.

A group of foremen here about 30 – we are to have four or five days training before the arrival of the men. Spent one half day at “Skull Practice” – that is technical instructions and this afternoon in the forest. There is a lot to learn as there are several plants. And how to lay out work for 50 to 60 men and keep them busy is going to be a large order. There are a few advance guards here from the last and some 900 are expected the last of the week from New York.

We are to be sent into the forest in groups of 200. Unfortunately my station is going to be 14 miles from here and no way to go back and forth daily. Maybe will go in b “speeder” on the logging road. No auto roads, only rails. Of course I only work five days per week with Saturday and Sunday off, I could be home those two days. It’s very unfortunate that I cannot reach my work from here but that’s the orders and I am not asking for any favors. What do you think about this? The cabins and people seem OK.

The only alternative is for you to take the children to Spokane. This also presents problems.

I do not expect to get a supervisor position as they are filled by Foresters of experience – Forestry professors from Montana and W.S.C. – _____ Engineers and four men from previous years. I find that I am almost the only one in the group that has not worked here before. _____ buster rust control has been going on for some 10 years, I find. So really I am fortunate to get this job. – It seems to be quite a job. Each foreman has had ten men here-to_____ and now it’s to be 50 to sixty, very green hands – so I contemplate quiet a job as I have a just a few days to learn it in. However, I am positive I can make good. I don’t know as yet who the Army people will be at my camp.

From what I can learn, payday is by the month – time sent in on the first and checks arrive from the fifth to the eighth.

I will write you often my sweet. I love you and have confidence in you.

As ever yours,

Frank

Please forward every piece of mail. I need the “adds” for I’m looking for all business.

P.S. I do not see how we can finance the trip for the girls and rent you a comfortable place out of this first small check, do you? The studio and backyard and separate meals do not seem right to me. When you take charge, it must be independently and separately from all family affairs to be successful. Perhaps the July checks will make that possible. I am very cast down at the prospects of a summer separation but what the hell – $96.00 per month is what I have to do.

Write soon, honey.

You looked stunning in your white dress and large hat

To Bertha from Frank Buckler – Approx. date

Monday Morning

Dearest,

I think I shall be the first to write for you are traveling today. It was such a comfort to see you.

I arrive in CA about 10 and had a perfectly blissful nights rest. It is good to have ones wife if only for a brief visit.

You were looking very well, in fact, better than I had expected. You looked stunning in your white dress and large hat. I was very proud of you. How I wish we may always be well dressed and at ease.

I am in the field now of course – the usual routine. Some of the lads quite “grumpy” from “moonshine” and beer and late hours.

I am not “bearing down” very hard today. Live and let live. After all, I had a nice weekend so why quarrel with them over trying to have a little fun. It’s rather pathetic.

I hope you have a pleasant trip home and find all well.

I had a good letter at camp from _____ _____. He is coming to see me perhaps. Said he had to come to Pierce and would try to come out. I hope he does.

Also, a intriguing letter from William York. More about that this evening.

You were so sweet to come to me honey. I feel renewed vigor and hope now we are on the upgrade.

Will close now and finish this this PM. An ant is chewing on my ankle, mosquitos are lunching on exposed stain in droves and a chipmunk is scolding from a nearby limb. Nature is grand overheard. Pretty nice for you meeting Mr. Buckler meaning you and your mother. “Wasn’t she a peach?” All of which, I agree.

What is a virgin forest? Answer: One that’s never been axed.

All pony that you didn’t come to camp but speeder was in at 8:30 AM Sunday and left at once so it didn’t work out.

$100,000 at 5% we can be the most popular couple in Spokane

EDITOR’S PICK

To Bertha from Frank Buckler – Approx. date

Monday Evening

Dearest,

I scribbled a note in the forest at noon.

About this York person. He seems to be making the grade and is on the verge of something bigger. A former letter, unanswered, offered me the vice-presidency of his Trading Corporation now being formed and position as Chief Operator (trade) incorporate – 100 shares of 6% preferred stock (voting power) and sell the common to the public. Use the money derived there from for ___ trading capital. Vote ourselves bonuses and extra dividends when we make successful trades. Give common stock holders dividends when they are any left. The old racket played by Investment Trusts? With a little more build ups, dignity and the prestige of some bank as trustee but the same thing exactly. I know. In business, to make money for the insiders like they all are. And the public apparently likes it for they buy and will continue buying. This idea of his is my idea. I told him that I was washed up with “services” but was interested only in trading and you see that he has gotten the idea. While I talk about it, he does it.

I am writing to you about it. Here is where we will be if considered. A chance to trade with money to do it with and a part of the profits. Manage Tom’s account for 50% and a salary besides from York. Whether we like York or not or approve of him is neither here nor there. He is unique. In a depression, he has made the grade while I am in the sticks. And Honey, we need $100,000 badly and here is a chance to get it. I am ambitious for us. You can be the social leader of the Spokane with that sum. You have talent and brains and beauty. I have learned what NOT to do in the market but here is a chance of what to do. I have brains and nerve, if I have $10,000 to trade with can make us independent in a year or two.

Are we willing to fight for this chance? I am older and more conservative now. I do not want you to have hardships anymore, but if you have the old audacious spirit yet, the sink or swim idea I always have, I am ready to go. York is not four flushing [Note: Bluffing.] There is no reason to do so. He would not call me across the continent on a four flush. He knows me too well. He has nerve and will make his million in a few years some way. I dislike the service idea as I dislike all services but a trading corporation is my meat and he sees it now. He has a former investment trust man with him but says he is no trader and I am. Personalities aside, here is a chance at Wall Street, a job and a larger account to trade (Tom’s account my private affair) but a useful extra source of income.

Now, honey, don’t be alarmed. I lay my cards on the table face up. I will not go without you. Never. I love you deeply and want to do well by you. But can I make you happy in a small way. As I said, I am invigorated and happy by your visit. Shall we take this chance or not? It’s alright with me whatever you say. I will not go alone. Life is too short. How to go? A small car for $75.00 – $100.00 expense money – an advance from York if stuck on the road.

I’m not out of my head, honey, my feet are on the ground but, honey, we need the money. With a background of $5,000 a year, $100,000 at 5% we can be the most popular couple in Spokane. I like the social thing, the country club things, winter in London and all more than you suspect. (But I like it only with you. Not for myself.) But perhaps you think this a wild idea, maybe it is. At any rate, I love you a whole lot. You are my life and hope and I write this merely to see how you feel. No dogmatic statements. It looks like a chance to make some money. But it means a year’s concentrated hard work for me and child rearing in a small apartment for you. [Note: According to birth records, Bertha lost a child at or shortly after birth]. Let me know your reaction but don’t say go alone for I won’t. Neither do I say it’s best. I don’t know. It’s this way, York is making money. I’m not and I need to. He gives me a chance. Is it worth it?

Lots of love and a long kiss. You are mine and I’ll always cherish you, my love.

F.B.

I’m thinking faster than my pen so please excuse.