Transcription
November 18, 1948
My Dear Sweet Daughter:
I have your epistle of the 8th inst. showing the vermilion fly-catcher mounted on a twig apparently cheerful and happy, and I enjoyed reading your letter very much.
We are having beautiful fall weather, but the magnificent color of a month ago has disappeared.
Lying hors de combat on my hospital couch I have ample time for reflection on things past, present and that may transpire in the future, so that my mind has been occupied with pleasant thought even though I have bodily difficulties that at times are distressing.
I am delighted to know that you had such a delightful time at the Handy farmhouse dinner and that Milton was able to make the trip and enjoy his experience very much.
The Truman election was a great surprise to me and to millions of other people, but, having the experience of three years with the present administration, I am thoroughly adjusted to the future, believing that it cannot have in store for us things that are much worse than those we have experienced.
You have written about ten pages upon the subject of Milton’s fidelity to me and my interests, based upon his contributions to the cause of the Midland Continental. I do not want to change your feeling further than to say that when I asked Mr Cockrell to put Milton on the payroll it was purely from a desire to give him some assistance through the troublesome experience that he is having, and when I found a way of providing the money by the form of turning in interest coupons that were long past due, it was merely a substitute for the other method without reducing the amount of the payment by putting the Midland in position that it would justify the outlay without question by the revenue officers which have given Mr Cockrell some trouble.
I hope that the monthly payment can be kept up, but in the event that I must use Midland funds necessarily, will have to check payment to the children unless Midland is prosperous beyond any degree that I can now reasonably anticipate.
You evidently have a wrong idea of what I have been doing for Jack Handy, which gives you an unsettled mind, and it is evident to me that when Milton met Jack he was listening to some extravagant statements that Jack must have made which, however, impressed him as literally true. Jack is not prospering and I have no reason to believe that he will be until he is out from under his blue sky debts that to a degree are still hanging over him. The last adjustment with Newt Noble merely postpones the time when he must make payment to clear it and, meantime, Ginny is involved and held under the obligation that she made when the papers were signed. So, forget, for your peace of mind, any relation of Jack Handy to your affairs.
He has none and he is bound to tramp in the treadmill for several years before he is free. His parties, to me, seem extravagant, in view of what I know of his situation. With the pressure that the demands of his children make, he is bound to have his nose on the grindstone for some time to come.
I congratulate you and Milton upon the 25th anniversary that you are experiencing and only hope that Milton’s health may be restored to the degree that he will have peace of mind and be able to provide some income to take care of his family needs.
I judge that your three children are being taken care of without any strain on Milton’s part and I am hopeful that your situation may be worked out in the future in a way that will be comfortable for you and Milton and easy to carry along.
From your standard of living, you must eliminate Bermuda trips until existing conditions materially change.
With much love to both of you—
Affectionately
Dad
Mrs Milton W Harrison
56 Highland Circle
Bronxville, N YTranscriber
Cindi RokeLanguage
English
