George Is In Elma’s Crosshairs Again
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Hill Country Living
By Coulter Fussell
It’s a Wagner Week and I’ve come to realize that I am now the world expert on Elma Coleman Meek, turn of the 20th century Oxford, MS socialite. I never would have envisioned this for myself but here we are.
This week, Water Valley’s own, George Wagner, suffers Elma’s wrath for declining one too many invitations. In the next letter, Elma talks about the Egg Bowl (they used to call State “A & M University”) and innocent Hattey is catching strays just because Elma’s feet hurt.
Oxford, Sunday
Dear George,
I guess since I made the engagement for you to come up tonight, I ought not to expect anything but for you to find an excuse. All I know is it must be growing as monotonous for you to think of excuses for breaking engagements as it is for me to receive them. So, knowing you will be busy this week with the minstrel and other things I’ll just save you the trouble by saying you needn’t bother about having your brother come or the others leave town. I simply won’t expect you at any time. So, you can save your excuses for some other time. I would have told you this when you telephoned only I had so much audience that I thought I had better wait.
I hope your minstrel will prove a success for it seems to be entirely yours from the interest you were taking in it.
You were right when you said I was a goose. I most assuredly was one when I even listened to anything you had to say. Especially when you were within 20 miles and having almost six months had not taken the trouble to come here twice. All I have to say I said last summer.
Sincerely,
Elma C.M.
Nov 22, 1903
Dear George,
You fairly make me tired, having the blues and everything else on your birthday where everything was quite propitious. Now here I am with expectations of a birthday next Tuesday and the prospect of not being able to walk a step. For four days I’ve had to sit with both my feet bandaged up and looking like they had the mumps. Now with something cheerful like that before you, maybe you will be able to appreciate your blessings.
Last Wednesday night I went to Hetty & Crockett’s wedding. Now don’t faint over such news. She and Mr. C were married Wednesday night at the Presbyterian Church — and Hetty really looked pretty if you can imagine any such a thing.
Nothing else very startling has happened or I haven’t been out to hear of news. Guess you heard about the A&M University football game yesterday a week ago. Virginia was sponsor and I had the honor to be one of the maids. Now I know that will fairly kill you. I’m afraid you just don’t like to acknowledge it when you gave V that picture.
You say if you come home Christmas — you are crazy, you simply must come home. I might be missing if you wait forever. I know that it is a great inducement.
Well I can’t write very well and nurse two feet at the same time. I shall expect you to write me a long and interesting letter to console me.
Sincerely your friend,
Elma C.M.
