Hill Country Living
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Hill Country Living
By Coulter Fussell
It’s a Wagner Week and we’re back with Oxford socialite Elma Coleman Meek (generally credited as the mastermind behind the yearbook moniker “Ole Miss”). She’s writing to longtime pal, George Wagner, who is off at school in Ithaca, NY (Cornell University.) She gives him a riddle to solve. No matter how much I Googled, I couldn’t find the answer to this riddle. It couldn’t possibly be that the guy was annoying everybody by playing the drums, right?! Is that even a riddle? The internet seems to credit the riddle to being World War II era but ol’ Elma C. has them beat by almost half a century. I’m also entertained by her being so causal about Yellow Fever.
August 9, 1905, Winona
Wednesday Morning
Dear George,
Knowing that you were too busy having a good time to waste any time on me, I haven’t tried to write any sooner. Well, I’m here and from present indications there seems to be no immediate changes and consequently no reason for my immediate departure. Have been playing society to a standstill — more in four days than I do in as many weeks at home. But really, my two stand-bys have begun to do business at the old stand and they take night about calling etc. Can’t say how long it will last.
Went to a party yesterday afternoon and really enjoyed it very much. I’m afraid the strenuous life I’m leading will make me lose all my fresh and good looks. I’m not staying at the McLean’s just yet awhile, as the Turner’s met me at the train and without so much as a “by your leave” had my trunk sent to their house. Will move myself and Forsessiona at the end of the week. So much for being so popular.
Now I’ll proceed to ask you such a wise little conundrum for you to think over while you travel around. A man had a dollar, he went downtown and bought a drum for 85 cents, drumsticks for 10 cents, got on the car, payed his fair, and the conductor put him off. Now, why did he do it? It’s awfully easy if you were right bright but probably you have heard it before.
The yellow fever news about the same and everywhere is tied up tight. I just did get here in time and think maybe I’ll stay as I have so many engagements. Lottie Pegues married her “old man” day before yesterday and left immediately for California. You remember that little Dr. Brown that took Dr. Ferrell’s place — Well he is to be his assistant in French and he and Maude Morrow are to be married on the 6th of September. Those are the only weddings I know about.
Shall I expect to hear from you while you are away or shall I continue to do business down here at the same old stand? There is no interesting news that I know of.
Sincerely,
Elma C Meek
