Anaheim
Calif. June 5th 1925
My
Dearest Florence.
I
am waiting here at Perry’s for Jerry Behrn to come and get me,
and
since your letter just came I’ll write as much as I can before
he
comes. I got here Monday afternoon. Had dinner that day at
Hulda
Minch’s. I have been to Warrens Mother’s and Cora Ott Huston,
and yesterday we went to Beaumont, about 70 miles from here to
pick
cherries. had a fine time, today I go to Jerry Behrn’s and
Hilgenfelds, and on Sunday speak at the Evangelical Church
here. I
saw Hurlburt only once, and that only for a few minutes. I am
trying
hard to get him when he has nothing to do. He lives in Long
Beach,
and I may go there after I leave here, am just waiting to hear
from
him, to get a date with him. Next Wed. I speak at a W.M.S.
meeting
at Covina, and will then go I think to San Bernardino. Albert
and
Lora moved there a week ago. Your letter today is the first
one that
made me think you really want to come, and I am glad you wrote
it
before you got the one I wrote at Torrance, so I am taking for
granted you are coming in spite of what I wrote, and since
that is
the case (and I am a good bit tickled over it) I’ll let you
come
any time you want to, only dont let Raymond over react. It
makes you
smile to hear me say you must be under a strain. Well it sure
makes
me smile to see how you think you are not, which only makes me
more
convinced than ever, that what someone told me was true, when
they
said you are just exactly like your mother, who never could
see
anything serious, no matter how bad it was. Well if you get
out here
right (pg. 2) side up I wont say anything, and I wont if you
dont
only I might think a little. Now I am glad you think I came to
California to get away from Hooppole, rather than that I came
only
because I wanted California, then for once in your life you
guessed
right. As far as scenery is concerned, California is rather
disappointing to me. The climate is ideal, and is I think
working
fine on my health, and I am sure we can have a good home here,
and I
hope the school problem will work out alright.
You
might try to get a clergy booth if Bischoff thinks you are
entitled,
and I certainly would send the freight right away. We’ll be
allowed 150 lbs each. Lora has tons of room to store things.
They
have not only a very big house, but garage, and a big wash
room
besides. When I was at Hulda Minches they said they brought
things
out cheaper than buying here so I would bring everything you
have,
but dont buy much unless you get it very cheap. I think you
could
get all such things ready now, and send, and bring what you
need
while you remain at Hooppole in your trunks when you come.
You
never wrote if Emil sent that money, and you never said
anything
about getting money from St Paul. If you have not you ought to
write
Norman because I know they mean we should have it, and if the
Brooklyn office is not sending it I know the St Paul folk will
not be
satisfied.
(pg.
3) You’d better write him about it. I don’t think I would
bother
about the Organ, as we will have to have a friend. Your
birthday
letter reached me on June 5th. Pretty nearly as
well as I
did, for I never thought of it until the day after. By all
means
bring the knitting machine. Lora thinks she can use it also.
I’ll
price a bed stead when I get to San Bernardino next week.
Say
why don’t you learn to use business terms right. That isn’t a
“quit claim deed” its a “quick claim deed”. Charley said so.
You ask where I get my ideas. I think you have a copy of
Charley’s
letter in which he says Alice deeded her share in the estate
to you,
but I’ll not worry about that much, I don’t want the estate, I
want you and once you get here the estate wont bother me. I
sort of
lost hope of ever getting you in Illinois, and for that reason
wanted
to get away from it altogether, but if you think I am
sacrificing the
best school interests for the boys, then you dont know the
agony I
have gone through over this school question. I’d not only
sacrifice my plan, I believe I would lay down my life to feel
the
boys were safe from the horrible teaching which is in all
schools,
which has in my opinion completely ruined the spiritual life
of both
Albert and Harry. Maybe I think you must be under a strain
because I
am. My own family affairs, the Africa Inland Mission ( I
believe
Hurlburt resigned (pg. 4) not because of bad health but he is
practically forced to do it) and then the spiritual condition
of my
two brothers whom I think a good deal of, all this has put me
under a
fearful strain, and I need to have a quiet place I can call
home to
get away from it all. When I am feeling well I get on all
right, but
I get gloomy spells once in a while when it seems I cannot
think or
act right. Well Jerry is coming so I’ll finish when I get
back.
Back
again and saw all the folks. Got an engagement to speak in a
Congregational Church. I get all the engagements I want, but
cash
comes in rather slow. Just about enough to make ends meet. I
could
get this same church if I wanted it but nearly all
Congregationals
are such Modernists, so I dont care to tie up with them.
Zeller
wants me to join up with the Evangelicals says he can get me a
job so
if things dont work out well that is an opening for me. There
are
plenty of preachers here but Zeller says no one wants them and
assures me that if I apply I wont need to wait long.
So
we will just wait and see. Now you make your own plans. If you
come
out whole and sound I wont kick even if it is Sept. Pen wont
write.
Goodbye
John.
[On
back of letter, in Florence’s handwriting: “Raymond opened
this”.]
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