12/12/1925 Letter from Ted Surdez

Skidmore, MO

Dec. 11, '25

Dear Little Pal --

I am awful tired tonight but will try and stay awake long enough to let you know I haven't forgotten you.  Listen Doris it made me feel awful bad when I got your last letter to think that you are losing faith in me.  I know I should write more often but it is not so easy for me to write every night, for we have been working hard and are always ready for bed about as soon as supper is over. 

So I hope I don't get any more such letters as that last one.  I sure have been feeling blue today.  I felt like quiting my job and going to S.F. then I thought that would be a foolish thing to do since you don't trust me any more.  But just the same I will be in S.F. some time next week if nothing happens as we will be through here about next Wednesday, and I don't think we will pick any more corn after that.  Then I shall give you a good hug and kiss.  (-over-)

Altho I think a good bawling out is what you deserve for writing such a letter.  But I will forgive you as I know how you feel as I have felt the same way all day myself.  So please forget all this nonsense and keep right on loving me for I love you more than ever and will love you more than that when I get up there.  I can't keep my eyes open any longer so must close both letter and eyes.

                                                                                                Yours Only
                                                                                                      F.A.S.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

11/25/1925 Letter from Ted Surdez

c/o Gus Swenson
R.R. 2

Villisca Ia. R.2

Dear little Pal:  Well we have landed a job at last but we are only about to the Mo. line only about eighty miles from my brother.  We were almost in the notion of turning back when we found this job the corn is all picked between here and Sioux Falls, but they say there is plenty south of here.  I think we have struck a fine place at least they seem nice and I know they feed good

(2)

because we had a swell (sic) supper.  We are just a mile from town but it is only about as big as Renner, and we are only three hundred and twenty miles from S.F.  The corn sure is good here but they havent any elevators so we will have to shovel .  We didn't leave Sioux Falls until four oclock that evening and got in Storm Lake about ten.  Just had two flat tires on the way down.  How did your carnival turn out?  I suppose you made a lot of money.  Is Harry back yet?

(3)

Well I wouldn't advise any one to come to Iowa to pick corn because there isn't much corn left any where that we've seen.  I think I will try and get down to see Dewey while I am this close but will try and be with you Xmas.  Well I cant think of any thing to say except that I love you more than ever.  But I don't suppose that is very interesting so will close.  Answer real soon.

                                                                                       Yours Only
                                                                                       Ted
                                                                        xxxxxx

Ted at Dewey's (Skidmore, Missouri)



"Doris, get your gun." by Dione M. Surdez (September 20, 2007)

Doris, get your gun.

 

Father has a girlfriend.

Father used to roam.

Father settles in Sheridan.

He calls that place his home.

Father falters, There is good work here.  I’ve got a fine girl.  I think I’ll make a home.

Mother tends to her man.

Mother bears him four.

Mother attempts to understand.

She thinks that woman a whore.

Mother marauds, I am told that since the time that they have installed the road around the Northern end of those Black Hills, driving through has become less stressful than in past circumstances.

Doris procures the car of steel.

Doris packs the good book.

Doris is told to take the wheel.

She insists for her sisters to look.

Doris declares, Dear Father has thought to reside away from our family.  Uncle believes it in our best interest to dissuade him from doing so.  Hurry now.  Move along quickly.  We must go forthright. 

Three little ladies head toward the west.

Three little ladies pulley round the hill.

Three little ladies navigate their best.

They pause for overheating, gathering all their will.

Ladies labor, Once we arrive, we will have a sit with Father.  Certainly he will choose to come home soon.

Father agrees. 

Mother gives smile.

Doris perceives.

Three little ladies drive an extra long while.

Siblings simmer, Mother regrets that, after a month’s wait, a letter has arrived.  Father will not come.  Mother has retained an attorney for processing of divorce.