Fourth Batch of Augusta's Letters

This is the house Augusta is talking about in this batch of letters - completed in 1922. It was the house in Tampa that I grew up in.

5 May 1922 - "... So you are in Asheville again ... well, hardly anything surprises me any more ... yes, I believe one thing would surprise me ... if Martin would get a job! ... Lenchen ... suffers terribly with rheumatism in her back ... The other day she came home at noon, almost frantic with pain ... She went to bed and I rubbed and rubbed ... finally she quieted down ... Emanuel College will close the 12th of May, then Papa is going to Theo's for a short visit first. Papa writes Theo was not so well. He had the flu and I suppose that still clings to him ... Nothing from Lyddi ... O, I love Florida ... yes, honey ... we would very much appreciate the vacuum cleaner ..."

2 Jun 1922 - "Just a line to let you know ... how much I appreciated your willingness to give us a little lift ... I feel a little ashamed to bother you now when you have your own debts to pay ... well, thank you very much ... I hope Walter will soon be able to pay you back ... Papa too will help some, but can't before July ... I hope in the new home I will get a place where I can draw back and write at my own convenient time ... it is now midnight before I have a chance to be alone ..."
30 Jun 1922 - "... Lenchen is surely delighted with her new dress ... We all thank you so much for the vacuum cleaner too ... They haven't really started on the house ... just hauling materials now ... I think its going to be a very comfortable little place ... 5 rooms and a sleeping porch ... a closet in each bedroom, and on the sleeping porch ... built-in book cases ... built-in buffet in the dining room ... a linen closet in the bathroom ... and a nice long pantry in the kitchen ... a garage to store things at first till we find places for everything. The house will cost about $3,700 ... extra for piping it for gas and water, laying the sidewalks, etc. It's contracted to be ready to move in by August 15th ... Nobody can realize what that little bungalow means to me ... the future looks cheerful ... now if only Walter stays well ... in 4 or 5 years it will be paid off ... I look forward to the good water out there ... this city water is terrible ... we pay 10 cents per gallon for drinking water, but can't afford to cook in that ... What about the piano? It ought not arrive before the house is finished ... about 6 weeks ... use your own judgment, but don't send it too early ..."

12 Jul 1922 - "... Well, the house is making very good progress ... Tomorrow they will begin the plastering ... Walter thinks there is a real possibility the house will be ready by August 5th ... I think Walter has as good a location as there is in Seminole ... We went out to look at it Sunday ... the whole surrounding makes a good impression on you, and I'm sure that when the house is finished, it's going to be the dearest spot on the globe for me ... Lenchen had a real bad attack of backache again yesterday ... it's so fierce, it reminds me of the agony I used to go through ... She went swimming Sunday and I'm afraid she caught cold ... this afternoon she trotted off to work again, looking more dead than alive ... many people here are down with the dingus fever, a tropical fever much like yellow fever ... Walter came home feeling awful bad this evening ... probably the fever ... Martin is nursing a boil again ..."

20 Jul 1922 - "... The house is getting along just fine ... we are having a rainy season just now and that's slowing progress a bit ... Martin got a $1 a week raise and seems to be getting along fine ..."

11 Aug 1922 - "... I'm a little shakey ... just got over the dingus fever ... Papa is in bed with it now ... it just makes one awful weak ... If everything goes well we will move a week from tomorrow ... this time it is going to be a happy move ... Martin took me to the shoe store ... I got some real comfortable shoes ... he paid $8 for them. His girl was at Tallahassee to summer school ... came back last night. Martin was a changed boy while she was gone. Somehow, I don't like that girl, but he thinks ..."

Aug 1922 - "... I thank you so much for your willingness to help beautify the place ... yes, I am happy ... I think we all are ... I think this home will bring us all nearer together ... and I think it is just the thing for Walter's health ... he has something to interest him ... and he is getting some exercise ... Lenchen too likes it out here ... Papa left Friday noon for NC ... Seminole is the best spot in Tampa ... more and more people are coming here ... we have the corner lot and always have a breeze ..."

22 Aug 1922 - "... O, Allie, I can't tell you how glad I am that it's finished. I fear the strain was too much for Walter in his condition. Everybody is sick at his place, and it seems as if he shoulders most of the responsibility. And just now they are doing a rushing business and only he and the boss in the office. Of course, a few girls, but they don't amount to much ... At Martin's place there are only 3 left out of 15 that don't have the fever ... but it seems he gets along ... Thinking of my Allie boy ... my pal ... yes, you were my pal from the time you drew your first breath ... when you were a tiny wee baby ... I sat for hours at the cradle ... after my morning work was done ... Yes, I know that a mother's love, a mother's wish, goes a long way with her child ... at last all obstacles in the road will be removed and a mother's wish concerning her child will conquer, I did hear from Lyddi last week ... she keeps her trunk packed ..."