A Woman of Independent Means (27 page)

Je t'embrasse—et courage,
Bess

November 2, 1920
Dallas

Dearest Papa and Mavis,

I have been reading the newspapers with such interest all fall, preparing to cast my first vote for President of the United States. There is no question in my mind who is the better man—Governor Cox earned my vote with his stand on the League of Nations—but how many times in the past have we seen the better man go down to defeat? I hope that will not happen this year, now that women have finally been allowed a voice.

I have been fortunate to secure the services of an above-average colored woman to supervise the household. She is a good cook and with my encouragement has begun to show an interest in enlarging her culinary vocabulary. Last night she prepared very passable “suprême de volaille” (boned breast of chicken in cream sauce). I was more nervous than she about the undertaking, since I had invited my friend Arthur Fineman for dinner, but the evening was a triumph.

She is also an experienced seamstress and we spend many afternoons profitably employed in redoing my fall wardrobe. While we sew, I share with her my opinions on a wide variety of subjects. Recently we have been concentrating on topics of a political nature in order to prepare ourselves to exercise the long-withheld privilege of voting.

At first my housekeeper insisted she would not vote in this election, thinking it presumptuous to claim the privilege the same year I did. She reminded me of how many years her forebears stood by mutely and watched their white masters vote before finally earning the right to do likewise. She felt it would imply disrespect on her part not to allow me to set a precedent in this area. But I was quick to point out that at least in the matter of voting rights the color barrier had long since been broken, and the two of us are equals in the current battle against discrimination on the basis of sex.

I discuss the merits of both candidates as we hem my petticoats and we are adamant in our support of the Democratic ticket. Not only does Governor Cox appear to be a man of high ideals and firm convictions, we are equally impressed with his running mate, Franklin Roosevelt. I will be very proud to cast my first vote for their ticket and I trust the two of you will do the same.

Your loving daughter,
Bess

December 1, 1920
Dallas

Dearest Totsie,

I was fascinated by your first article. The society section of a newspaper is the perfect place for someone of your background to seek employment. In addition to income, your new position will provide a legitimate introduction to the social life of the city. And for me, it is most comforting to see that someone with no professional training or experience can find a satisfying means of making a living. I have always felt that a liberal arts education and the experience acquired through travel equal the value of any purely technical training.

I knew Arthur was planning a trip to Boston in November but I was surprised that you could persuade him to stay and spend Thanksgiving with you. I had decided against taking the children to Honey Grove for the holiday weekend, not wanting to leave Arthur alone, and had even made reservations for the lavish holiday buffet at the country club.

However, I am glad the two of you could spend the holiday together, and the children and I did not lack for company at the club. I was surprised to see so many people dining there on a day traditionally reserved for family but apparently I am not the only one who enjoys leavening the conversation of family with the company of friends. I am now convinced that the holidays are better enjoyed in the combined company of family and friends and to that end I am planning a large open house for Christmas Eve. It will be the first time I have entertained formally since we moved into our new home, so I am inviting not only those I owe but also quite a few whom I would like to have indebted to me.

I await Arthur's return to make a final decision on the menu since I consider his taste in this area infallible. I would ask you to give him this message but surely I will be seeing him before you read this letter.

Je t'embrasse,
Bess

December 15, 1920
Dallas

Dearest Papa and Mavis,

Once again I find myself dreading the approach of the holiday season. Scrooge is not the only one haunted by the ghost of Christmas past. On an ordinary day it is possible to be totally and mercifully absorbed by the present but at Christmas my mind is layered with memories. Perhaps that is why it is so difficult to be alone during the holidays. One's thoughts are peopled by all the family and friends who ever shared the occasion and solitude is unbearable.

I am so disappointed you cannot be with us this year. I hope it is not the Christmas Eve party I am planning that is keeping you away. I know in the past we always have had a quiet family Christmas but at this time of the year, when the past stalks the present, I cannot escape the fact that, without Rob, we are not a family. Pretending that we are is more painful than admitting that I am a woman living alone with her three children and seeking a less traditional way to celebrate. When Rob was seated at the head of the table carving our Christmas turkey, I could happily close our doors to the rest of the world. But since his death, no gathering of relatives, however devoted, can keep me from missing my friends. And does not an “open house” reflect the true spirit of Christmas, reminding us of the night when every door was closed except those of a stable?

The children will miss having you here for Christmas morning and so will Santa Claus. Like any entrepreneur, he thrives on an audience. Perhaps you will drive down later in the week when the holiday pace has slackened and our thoughts are turning toward a New Year hopefully unburdened by memories of the past.

All my love,
Bess

January 10, 1921
Dallas

Dearest Totsie,

Dwight gave you the best possible Christmas present by returning your stock portfolio and renouncing all interest in your investments, though I can guess the cost to his pride. I hope you see now how wrong it would have been for you to take the baby home for the holidays. Surely spending Christmas alone was a small price to pay for financial independence.

Our open house on Christmas Eve was a huge success, as you can see from the enclosed clipping. Unfortunately the reporter from
The Dallas News
does not have your eye for detail but at least the photograph will give you some idea of the house. It is not a very flattering picture of me but it does show my dress to advantage and I think Arthur looks very handsome.

Though his name was not on the invitation, Arthur graciously acted as host, which relieved me of a great deal of responsibility. He of course knew most of my friends in a business way, but now that we are seeing each other regularly, they have come to accept him socially as well and seem to enjoy his company as much as I do. And to my surprise, we are accepted as a couple here with no questions asked.

The party was much larger than I originally planned and I was afraid the children might get lost in the crowd but they were the center of attention. They spent all week deciding what to wear and the night of the party spent more time getting dressed than I did. When I was first planning the party, I thought of inviting a few children but all three were vehemently opposed to the idea. I have discovered that children settle for the company of other children only when there is no alternative. Given their choice, they much prefer the society of adults. On Christmas Eve they were the objects of enraptured attention and the three of them were still glowing from it the next morning when they came downstairs to see what Santa Claus had left.

The best present I received on Christmas Day was the unexpected arrival of my father and his wife from Honey Grove. They planned to spend only the afternoon with us but we prevailed upon them to stay the night. It is so rewarding when one is finally able to enjoy a friendship with one's family.

Now that you are in charge of your own finances, I can wish you nothing better than a happy and
prosperous
New Year!

Bonne Année,
Bess

April 10, 1921
Dallas

Mrs. Martin Banks
Program Chairman
Dallas Shakespeare Club
Dallas, Texas

 

Dear Exa,

I am putting this suggestion in written form so that you may submit it directly to the program committee—providing of course that it meets with your approval.

I have discovered to my surprise and delight that my colored housekeeper has an impressive acquaintance with and deep appreciation for the works of Shakespeare, and I would like to propose that we include interested members of our household staffs in some of our activities.

For example, on the days when the club invites a guest speaker, the servants could sit in the audience—in a special section reserved for them, of course, and suitably located toward the back so they could exit inconspicuously before the social hour began. In addition to their edification, such an arrangement would provide a built-in staff for the club, enabling us to serve more substantial refreshments than we are able to do at present. Indeed I have long felt it would be appropriate and quite pleasant to follow our meetings with a light repast. Food and fellowship would undoubtedly enhance our enjoyment of the scholarship that preceded it.