Hill Country Living
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Hill Country Living
By Coulter Fussell
It’s a Wagner Week and I pulled two letters that both happened to be typed on a typewriter! I consider any typed Wagner Letter to be a true blessing as these people practiced pure chicken scratch on anything handwritten.
Little brother Gene is getting sent checks left and right here. I ran some currency conversation on these numbers and it looks like Evelyn’s medical bill, in today’s value, was around $5,500. Do I sense a little buyer’s remorse from husband John? Possibly.
Poor Stanley from the second letter had a chance to impress and thoroughly blew it on his first try. His $1 mistake is a $35 mistake in today’s money. Also, I think the boss refers to the bank balance as a “she” and that is an odd thing to personify.
Water Valley, Miss, Jan 12th, 1902
Dear Gene,
We hand you, herewith, a check for ten dollars, as per your quest. It would be a matter of impossibility to tell you how we all missed you, especially Dudley, Mabrey and me. Christmas is never the delightful event it has always been when you and George are away from us. I will send you by the express a little present which I hope you will enjoy.
We are all well and all send love to you. Mabry said on Christmas day that he wished you were here, that you would help him shoot his fire crackers off.
Evelyn is now better and at last up but her prolonged sickness has about sent me to the Poor House. Armstrong has a bill of $150.00 dollars against me to say nothing of drug bills and nurse hire of about forty-three days.
Take good care of yourself and try to get some good marks and, by all means, keep up the appearance and dignity of a Princeton Junior, even if it does take a little money.
With much love from us all…
Affectionally your brother,
John H. Wagner
The Bank of Water Valley
October 10th, 1902
Dear Gene,
I enclose you a check for $32.00 which is the amount of your balance. Mr. Able is now getting along fine and I think they consider him out of danger. He was very sick indeed at first and the doctors did not think he would get well. Mr. Able’s mother died in Oxford yesterday. I have been wishing for you since he has been sick as you know this is our busiest time of the year and it has certainly kept me hustling.
I have Stanley Metcalf helping me but he can’t help me much. He is very careless and you know that won’t work in a bank. The first dash out of the box he made a mistake of $1 in giving change and since then I won’t let him fool with the cash at all. As you know I am a little “cranky” about having the cash balance to a cent. I have had no trouble so far and she has balanced every day the same as we used to make it do. The pay-car will be here tomorrow and I know I will have your sympathy. Well I must get to work now, so good bye.
Your Friend,
WBM
