A Woman of Independent Means (12 page)

October 1, 1917
St. Louis

Dear Cousin Josie,

Forgive my delay in answering your last letter, but, as you will see from the postmark, we are now living in St. Louis.

There is nothing like a change of setting to give one a fresh perspective on life. And as tragic as our loss was, I have found life in an impersonally furnished hotel strangely liberating. Like most people, I suppose, I enjoyed a sense of permanence and order living in a house built to my specifications and furnished to my taste. But the fire destroyed any illusion of permanence in this life as surely as the flames consumed the structure that sustained it. We are all transients on earth and the sooner we accept the impermanence of our condition, the more pleasure we can take in the unexpected freedom it provides.

With these thoughts in mind, I hope you will give a close reading to the enclosed brochure from the Riverview Convalescent Home. The accommodations appear quite comfortable and the dining and recreation areas most inviting. I could wish no better life for you than the security and convenience of a hotel, with all the details of daily life organized by other people.

My father is in full agreement with me, and though at first glance the cost seems greater than the monthly support he has been providing, we both feel confident that the proceeds from the sale of your house will come close to making up the difference.

Affectionately,
Bess

November 10, 1917
St. Louis

Dear Lydia and Manning,

I am enclosing the front page of the society section from last Sunday's paper so you can see for yourself the full coverage our party received. It was
the
social event of the week (and indeed, in my opinion, of the season so far). I feel I can say without a doubt now that everyone in St. Louis who matters knows who we are.

The dance floor was filled with young men in uniform. A few years ago the sight would have thrilled me but now I could only think of the horrors ahead of them. Though not in uniform—thank God—Rob has become a war hero here through his energetic leadership in the war bond campaign. It is even said that his efforts have not gone unnoticed in Washington.

Fondly,
Bess

January 8, 1918
St. Louis

Dear Papa and Mavis,

My first letter of the New Year! What would we do without a calendar to give our lives a sense of progression? Perhaps it is only an illusion but I look upon my life as a staircase, with each year taking me up another step toward some unknown but enticing destination.

Spending Christmas with you in Honey Grove left us full of longing for times and places now lost to us. I relived the happy holidays of my childhood, and the children finally understood the full loss of the fire, talking about the house and recalling for the first time, or at least the first time aloud, much-loved objects they will never see again.

I am meeting with a real-estate agent this afternoon to start my search for a new house. I realize now that we have all been acting like rejected lovers, protecting ourselves from future hurt by pretending we were happier without a home. As convenient as it would be to declare our independence of material possessions, we cannot escape the fact that we are body and soul, and both require shelter. Nor am I convinced that the two are at odds with each other and that to deny one is to satisfy the other. I find my spirit strangely appeased when my eye encounters beautiful forms, my nose discovers a familiar fragrance, my ear hears music, my tongue savors a new taste, and my fingers touch beloved objects.

I know now that to live in a hotel as we have done these past few months is to relinquish authority over the exterior of our lives. We all have the power—at least for a moment—to shape our environment, and how wrong of us to ignore this privilege just because it is fleeting. We must accept the fact that nothing we create belongs to us forever and let the act of creation be its own reward.

As you can see, I have had to travel a long path in my own mind to have the courage to buy another house and make it our own. I am still not strong enough to consider the possibility of building one; somehow I find comfort in the thought of occupying a house where strangers lived in safety.

All my love,
Bess

February 1, 1918
St. Louis

Miss Abigail Saunders
Director
Riverview Convalescent Home
Syracuse, New York

 

Dear Miss Saunders,

I would like to reserve a private room in the name of Josephine Farrow. Her arrival is contingent upon the sale of her home, which has just gone on the market, so it is impossible to set a definite date at this time. However, I am enclosing a substantial deposit, which I trust will compensate for any inconvenience the indefinite arrival date may cause you.

From the photographs in the brochure, I see that some of the rooms look out on the mountains. Does this add to the price of the room? I am sure my cousin would derive great pleasure from the view—but not if she knew she were paying for it.

I would appreciate a prompt reply from you, confirming this reservation.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Robert
Randolph Steed

February 14, 1918
St. Louis

Dear Heart,

How sad to be apart on Valentine's Day! That must sound silly coming from a grown woman with three children, but to me it will always be the day on which you first declared yourself.

It was in the fourth grade, shortly after Miss Appleton taught us the meaning of circumnavigation and I decided to make my world in you. In those days there was no difference between us. We were not boy and girl but two creatures totally alike—and set apart from all the rest. Whatever games we played, we were always two of a kind—two explorers, two sailors, two cowboys, two swordsmen. In our Sherwood Forest there were even two Robin Hoods. No Maid Marian for me!

Then you gave me my first Valentine—a banner emblazoned with the crest of Richard the Lion-Hearted. I have never been prouder of any present until today—when I received the stock certificates registered in my name, making me a major stockholder and member of the board of the Midwestern Life Insurance Company. It was another kind of banner. We were equals when we met and it is nice to know marriage has not changed my standing—in your eyes at least.

In your absence I have been occupied looking at houses. I am seeing one this afternoon that sounds most promising. It was built a year ago by a prominent attorney and his wife, but they had only occupied it six months when he died. His widow plans to move to San Francisco. They had no children but many out-of-town visitors, so the house is large and comfortable.

The newspaper carries daily accounts of the war bond drive. It is thrilling to see how much money you are raising. How fortunate for the country that you are too old for the trenches! And how fortunate for me that I have only had to lend my husband to the war effort—and not to lose him. Even so, these long separations are becoming increasingly difficult for me. Are our lives ever to belong to us again? Come when you can, my dearest. The home front is here!

Ever your
Bess

FEBRUARY 15 1918
ST LOUIS

ROBERT STEED
BLACKSTONE HOTEL
CHICAGO ILLINOIS
MY BID ON HOUSE ACCEPTED AM SIGNING PAPERS TO-
MORROW IF YOU OBJECT PLEASE ADVISE IMMEDIATELY
OTHER BUYERS WAITING

BESS

 

 

 

February 20, 1918
St. Louis

Dear Cousin Josie,

I was delighted to get your letter listing the offers for your house, but I am puzzled by your refusal to accept any of them. The last offer in particular came so close to your asking price I do not see how in good conscience you could reject it.

I know you find the idea of bargaining distasteful, but, believe me, it is in no way dishonest to ask a higher price than you expect to get—and in no way a defeat to accept a lower price than you ask. Besides, if you refuse to take a penny less than your asking price, you are depriving the buyer of an important sense of accomplishment. Having just been in this position, I know how essential it is to feel you have saved money when in fact you have just spent a great deal.

We have bought a spacious three-story home in the center of town and will be moving next month. By then I trust you will have sold your house. Fortunately you do not have to worry about what to do with your furniture. From the first minute I saw it, I felt it was part of my heritage, and I would certainly not want it sentenced to storage in a warehouse. I am convinced everything you own will look perfect in my new home.

I am sure your friends already in residence at the Riverview Home are looking forward to your arrival, and their company should provide a welcome change for you after so many years of living alone. Friends are a great blessing, especially in the absence of immediate family. However, you may count on the continuing affection of your devoted cousin,

February 28, 1918
St. Louis

Miss Abigail Saunders
Director
Riverview Convalescent Home
Syracuse, New York

 

My dear Miss Saunders,

This is to notify you that my cousin, Miss Josephine Farrow, has just sold her home and would like to assume occupancy of the private room reserved in her name in two weeks. Since she will only be in residence half the month of March, I assume the usual monthly rate will be prorated accordingly. Please send the bill to me at my new address.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Robert R. Steed

 

MARCH 12 1918
ST LOUIS