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Authors: Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey
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promising. It was built a year ago by a prominent attorney and his wife, but they had only occupied it six months when he died. His widow plans to move to San Francisco. They had no children but many out-of-town visitors, so the house is large and comfortable.
The newspaper carries daily accounts of the war bond drive. It is thrilling to see how much money you are raising. How fortunate for the country that you are too old for the trenches! And how fortunate for me that I have only had to lend my husband to the war effortâand not to lose him. Even so, these long separations are becoming increasingly difficult for me. Are our lives ever to belong to us again? Come when you can, my dearest. The home front is here!
Ever your
Bess
FEBRUARY 15 1918
ST LOUIS
ROBERT STEED
BLACKSTONE HOTEL
CHICAGO ILLINOIS
MY BID ON HOUSE ACCEPTED AM SIGNING PAPERS TO-
MORROW IF YOU OBJECT PLEASE ADVISE IMMEDIATELY
OTHER BUYERS WAITING
BESS
Â
Â
Â
February 20, 1918
St. Louis
Dear Cousin Josie,
I was delighted to get your letter listing the offers for your house, but I am puzzled by your refusal to accept any of them. The last offer in particular came so close to your asking price I do not see how in good conscience you could reject it.
I know you find the idea of bargaining distasteful, but, believe me, it is in no way dishonest to ask a higher price than you expect to getâand in no way a defeat to accept a lower price than you ask. Besides, if you refuse to take a penny less than your asking price, you are depriving the buyer of an important sense of accomplishment. Having just been in this position, I know how essential it is to feel you have saved money when in fact you have just spent a great deal.
We have bought a spacious three-story home in the center of town and will be moving next month. By then I trust you will have sold your house. Fortunately you do not have to worry about what to do with your furniture. From the first minute I saw it, I felt it was part of my heritage, and I would certainly not want it sentenced to storage in a warehouse. I am convinced everything you own will look perfect in my new home.
I am sure your friends already in residence at the Riverview Home are looking forward to your arrival, and their company should provide a welcome change for you after so many years of living alone. Friends are a great blessing, especially in the absence of immediate family. However, you may count on the continuing affection of your devoted cousin,
Bess
February 28, 1918
St. Louis
Miss Abigail Saunders
Director
Riverview Convalescent Home
Syracuse, New York
Â
My dear Miss Saunders,
This is to notify you that my cousin, Miss Josephine Farrow, has just sold her home and would like to assume occupancy of the private room reserved in her name in two weeks. Since she will only be in residence half the month of March, I assume the usual monthly rate will be prorated accordingly. Please send the bill to me at my new address.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Robert R. Steed
Â
MARCH 12 1918
ST LOUIS
MISS JOSEPHINE FARROW
2514 ELM STREET
SYRACUSE NEW YORK
ADVISE AGAINST DELAYING CLOSE OF ESCROW AM AR-
RIVING THIS WEEKEND TO HELP YOU MOVE PACK ONLY
WHAT YOU WILL TAKE WITH YOU
BESS
Â
Â
March 18, 1918
Syracuse, New York
Dear Papa and Mavis,
I am spending the night in the house where you spent so much of your childhood, Papa. Even here I cannot imagine you as a carefree little boy, but perhaps it is because you never were. I am filled with sadness imagining what it was like for you to lose your mother at the age of eight, and I understand fully for the first time the debt you feel to Cousin Josie and her family. But you have carried it long enough. Now it is my turn. Tomorrow I am accompanying Cousin Josie to the convalescent home where a very comfortable room awaits her. I was there today making the final arrangements.
She was extremely reluctant to put her house on the market and even as late as yesterday
The newspaper carries daily accounts of the war bond drive. It is thrilling to see how much money you are raising. How fortunate for the country that you are too old for the trenches! And how fortunate for me that I have only had to lend my husband to the war effortâand not to lose him. Even so, these long separations are becoming increasingly difficult for me. Are our lives ever to belong to us again? Come when you can, my dearest. The home front is here!
Ever your
Bess
FEBRUARY 15 1918
ST LOUIS
ROBERT STEED
BLACKSTONE HOTEL
CHICAGO ILLINOIS
MY BID ON HOUSE ACCEPTED AM SIGNING PAPERS TO-
MORROW IF YOU OBJECT PLEASE ADVISE IMMEDIATELY
OTHER BUYERS WAITING
BESS
Â
Â
Â
February 20, 1918
St. Louis
Dear Cousin Josie,
I was delighted to get your letter listing the offers for your house, but I am puzzled by your refusal to accept any of them. The last offer in particular came so close to your asking price I do not see how in good conscience you could reject it.
I know you find the idea of bargaining distasteful, but, believe me, it is in no way dishonest to ask a higher price than you expect to getâand in no way a defeat to accept a lower price than you ask. Besides, if you refuse to take a penny less than your asking price, you are depriving the buyer of an important sense of accomplishment. Having just been in this position, I know how essential it is to feel you have saved money when in fact you have just spent a great deal.
We have bought a spacious three-story home in the center of town and will be moving next month. By then I trust you will have sold your house. Fortunately you do not have to worry about what to do with your furniture. From the first minute I saw it, I felt it was part of my heritage, and I would certainly not want it sentenced to storage in a warehouse. I am convinced everything you own will look perfect in my new home.
I am sure your friends already in residence at the Riverview Home are looking forward to your arrival, and their company should provide a welcome change for you after so many years of living alone. Friends are a great blessing, especially in the absence of immediate family. However, you may count on the continuing affection of your devoted cousin,
Bess
February 28, 1918
St. Louis
Miss Abigail Saunders
Director
Riverview Convalescent Home
Syracuse, New York
Â
My dear Miss Saunders,
This is to notify you that my cousin, Miss Josephine Farrow, has just sold her home and would like to assume occupancy of the private room reserved in her name in two weeks. Since she will only be in residence half the month of March, I assume the usual monthly rate will be prorated accordingly. Please send the bill to me at my new address.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Robert R. Steed
Â
MARCH 12 1918
ST LOUIS
MISS JOSEPHINE FARROW
2514 ELM STREET
SYRACUSE NEW YORK
ADVISE AGAINST DELAYING CLOSE OF ESCROW AM AR-
RIVING THIS WEEKEND TO HELP YOU MOVE PACK ONLY
WHAT YOU WILL TAKE WITH YOU
BESS
Â
Â
March 18, 1918
Syracuse, New York
Dear Papa and Mavis,
I am spending the night in the house where you spent so much of your childhood, Papa. Even here I cannot imagine you as a carefree little boy, but perhaps it is because you never were. I am filled with sadness imagining what it was like for you to lose your mother at the age of eight, and I understand fully for the first time the debt you feel to Cousin Josie and her family. But you have carried it long enough. Now it is my turn. Tomorrow I am accompanying Cousin Josie to the convalescent home where a very comfortable room awaits her. I was there today making the final arrangements.
She was extremely reluctant to put her house on the market and even as late as yesterday
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