Augusta's Letters - Batch #17

9 Jan 1932 - "... this world is turning into a big madhouse ... who ever heard of a time when the teachers weren't paid their salaries? Tell me, how do the teachers exist? Such conditions! ... no money for anything ... only the gangsters and politicians ... Madge and Lyddi went to St. Petersburg today for a visit ... Mr. Fleagle is still very feeble ... can hardly talk ... his nephew is here and takes care of him ... poor Mrs. Fleagle! We all had a nice Christmas ... the children are so sweet ... Betty ordered a toolchest ... hammer and screwdriver, pliers and nails ... she got it, of course, and is so proud of it ... no dolls for Betty! ..."

4 Feb 1932 - "... Lyddi is working her head off ... not quite so cheerful as before ... account of the bus ride home ... morning bus is not so crowded and does not stop so much ... stopping every few seconds shakes her up so ... I wish she would apply next year at Hillsborough ... she loses so much time going back and forth ..."

18 Feb 1932 - "... Lydia puts her whole soul into her work ... every nerve in her body is strained to the utmost ... still, school doesn't drain her as much as those awful bus rides ... had a letter from Walter yesterday ... he wants to take me to Orlando for a few weeks visit ... I wrote him that I would go at the close of school ..."

5 May 1932 - "... Poor Lyddi was so happy in her work, but the school board's action dampened her contentment ... sometime ago they announced a 15% salary cut ... then they announced that there was not enough money in the treasury to run the schools for nine months ... so now they are putting the teachers on half pay for nine months. I don't see how they can get along ... why don't they do away with football, basketball, baseball, etc... we don't need those things in times like this ..."

May 1932 - "... Papa writes that Teddy is making very little. They have their garden ... and manage somehow ... the poor teachers must offer their hides to even out the budget, while the big fat gluttons of politicians and office holders are drawing their fat salaries ... there are just as many gangsters in high offices as there are in the underworld ... and they reign over the ballot box ... this nation is doomed ... Lyddi is quite cool about it ... it's not the amount of money that counts, but the blessing the Lord puts on it. And really, I am quite thankful for our poverty. Poor people don't have to face the dangers of the rich ..."

5 Jun 1932 - "... Lyddi will not attend summer school this summer ... she is pretty worn out ... she needs to relax a little ... everything is much cheaper than it used to be ... we can manage ... next week I am going for a short visit with Walter and Clemmie ... Papa won't resign as we thought he would ... they seem to be working out a new plan for the institution ..."

7 Jun 1932 - "This is just to let you know that I am here (Orlando) ... Walter and Clemmie are well and happy ... they both look fine ... you would be surprised to see Clemmie ... she is getting fat ... they are living over the store ... they pay $50 a month rent for all ... it's furnished ... business is nothing to brag about ... but they are making a living ... they are a very happy couple ... I thought they were somewhat isolated out here, but I was surprised ... plenty of neighbors and nice homes all around ... and they are very congenial with their neighbors ..."

12 Jun 1932 - "... now I am going to tell you something about my trip ... just had a fine time ... enjoyed being with the children so much ... a happier couple you won't find anywhere ... they live the ideal life ... no boss to be considered ... they can run the business to suit themselves ... it is a neighborhood store ... just like a family ... everybody carries their joys and troubles to the store ... and Walter and Clemmie listen to them talk sympathetically, but must be just as tactful as a parsonage ... I told them it reminded me of old times ... if they don't see Clemmie downstairs they go upstairs to have a chat with her ... they were happy to see Mr. Berg's mother ... several of them told me how much they thought of my children ... but it wasn't always that way ... the children had a hard row to hoe at first ... the people hated the store on account of the former owner ... then Clemmie went to see them all herself one at a time ... and I guess her friendly face won ... and broke down the ill feeling of the people ... Walter said they would make money if the people only had work ... as it is they have to be satisfied to just make a living ... they both certainly have the good will and respect of the community ..."

27 Jul 1932 - "... today is Martin and Bunny's wedding anniversary ... 9 years. Papa came home last Wednesday feeling and looking fine ... he said you boys treated him so nice..."

5 Aug 1932 - "... I was shocked to hear that after almost two months you have not yet looked up Aunt Mary and Aunt Dora ... you should have postponed one of your sightseeing trips rather than postpone looking up Aunt Mary ... I know how I would feel if one her children treated me that way ... and I know too how A.J. would feel if someone near and dear to him would so utterly ignore him ... judge for yourself ... anyway call her up ... she deserves a little consideration. Martin and his bunch were over last night ... no chance for writing with all that commotion ..."

22 Aug 1932 - "... Papa wants to go back to Greensboro ... this will be the last time. He will leave in a few weeks ... wants to stop by Walter's for a few days and also at Pine Bluff ... he has been real well this summer ..."

Dec 1932 - "... Poor Lyddi looks awful bad ... her life really has been nothing but one disappointment after another ... my sickness hit her terrible hard ... she has worked so hard in that terrible heat ... and only 18 more papers to work out when I got sick ... and now all of her hard summer's work is lost ... and her money too ... I have made wonderful improvement ... I suffered so terrible from awful head pain ... the poor girls suffered with me ... had an awful spell yet a week ago ... but that was the last ... I drop asleep sometimes before I finish my prayer ... now, a little surprise ... there is a little Walli or a little Clemmie on the way ... Albert, if you can write Papa a few lines, he is so anxious to hear from you ..."