From A Maine Woman Goes South, letters transcribed by Jean F. Hankins in 2003. This installment contains 3 letters. Historical dates appear with each letter; the article retains the original collection’s publication date.
Nellie Pottle to Estelle Pottle, January 9, 1927
Source: PDF page 162; printed page 156.
Postmark: Atlanta, Jan. 9, 1927 Heading: Spelman, Sunday
Dearest Balaam,
I was just daffy over that dress. If there had been another like it I'd have gotten it for myself. Please keep it in good condition until I come home. Look to see if that is chain stish [stitch?] on the shirring. If it is, get some sewing silk the same color and go over it. If it is already done by ordinary machine sewing, it is all right. I got blue because I thought that it would go better than anything else with Callahan's hair.
Is Bobbie Scott Ab's brother? Listen-a business proposition-if you'll get some nice man to take me to Senior Prom in June, and another nice one to go with you, I'll get us each an evening dress. How's that for an offer? But he has to be a real man or the offer doesn't hold, because I'm pretty particular about my men nowadays.
Saw Jeff again. I stayed down at the Seminary last night, and Jeff walked up with me this morning in time to get me here for my S. School class. I wish that you knew him. He's a dandy fellow. I'll send you a picture of him as soon as I get a good one. A bunch of the boys down there and a crowd of us from here are going on a picnic out to Stone Mountain some day when it gets a little wanner.
Have I told you about mother's new coat? It's a humdinger, a lovely shade of blue with dark fur, beautiful lines and makes mother look as if she were about sixteen years old.
I'm going to get me some new clothes soon. I haven't had anything new except my brown dress.
Just lots of love Baalam, Nellie Sam
P.S. Hit those midyears! How soon do they come? Ours come next week. Sam
Nellie Pottle to Estelle Pottle, January 23, 1927
Source: PDF page 163; printed page 157.
Heading: Spelman College, Atlanta, January 23, 1927
Dear Baalam,
If this hot weather keeps up much longer we'll be deciding that it is June and starting home. I went down town without my coat Saturday and just about roasted.
I got myself a dress yesterday. It is mde almost exactly like your new blue one but is a dark blue with tan sleeves. I am not going to wear it very much until it is time to come home. I got a sweater and hip skirt but I decided after I got them home that I don't like them and mother doesn't either so I'm going to take them back. I was planning to send them to you.
Perhaps sometime I'll see something that I like and send it to you. Would you like a wool dress or had you rather have something spring-like now?
Stelle, you want to work like the dickens on those midyears. Mother and I would die of mortification and disappointment if you didn't do well on them.
Your birthday party must have been good and I hope that you had a good time at Senior Dance. Whom did you ask?
We went to see Beau Geste the other night. See it when you get a chance.. It's a wonderful picture.
Uncle George Ellis [friend of John Pottle who took many good family photos] is coming through Atlanta next week. It is certainly going to seem good to see someone from home-even Uncle George.
Sweet Purtutie, our year is half up and before long we'll be seeing each other again. Be a good girl until then. Love, Sambo
P.S. So you don't approve of my teaching at Lee.
Nellie Pottle to Estelle Pottle, January 26, 1927
Source: PDF page 164; printed page 158.
Heading: Spelman College, Atlanta. January 26, 1927
Dearest,
I am sending you a midyears present under these stipulations: if you pass everything you can keep it. If you don't, send it back to me. I really like it a lot and it's a nice one too-in fact it cost $5 more than the powder blue silk dress. I hope that you like it, sweet one.
You must have had a good time at the Senior Dance, also at all your other outings.
I've been plugging away correcting midyears and dissecting earthworms. They made one girl so sick the other day that she is in the hospital still.
I've just finished reading Thomas Hardy's "The Return of the Native." Have you ever read it? It's a pretty good yam, only a little tough on poor Clym Yoebright.
I haven't told Ada that George is back at college. She was just congratulating herself to me the other day that they had him at home where they wanted him.
Haven't time to read this over. Love to Jumbo, Sambo
Source and transcription
Original complete PDF, transcribed by Jean F. Hankins, 2003. Original spelling, bracketed notes, and omissions marked with dots are retained. This web edition was extracted from the scanned transcription; consult the PDF when an exact reading is important.