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, May 1, 1927
Source: PDF page 171; printed page 165.
Postmark: Atlanta, May 1, 1927 No heading
Dear Estelle,
All of the stationary which I had was some of my nice 75 cent quality and I couldn't waste that on you.
Your red jacket is going to be a whiz. It makes me look like I'd been sent for and couldn't come, but I know that you'll look good in it. I think that it's sort of cute. Mother is going to start out on our suits this week.
I expected that you'd get a K.A. bid. Our family has tried them allo, haven't they-Mystics, Druids, Epicurians, Chi Tam[?] and K.A. Too bad that there wasn't one more to be a U.B.
I stayed down at Mrs. Zimmermans night before last and slept until one o'clock the next afternoon. I didn't suppose that I could do a thing like that. I think that perhaps Jeff and I set up a little early the night before. He's going a week from Thursday.
Won't we have a grand old time at Commencement with the whole family there? Listen, old lady, don't you feel just a little better than other folks to be having your brother give the Commencement address?
Why haven't we gotten your rank card? You've taken all of your exams, haven't you?.
Have the Chi Omega officers been elected?
Well Andy Gump I'll see you in a month or so. Love to Jumbo, Sambo
Nellie Pottle to Betsy Kemp, May 1, 1927
Source: PDF page 172; printed page 166.
Postmark: Atlanta, May 2,1927
Dear Auntie,
They gave us our travel checks Friday, and that makes it seem as if we were coming home soon. The school work-graduation and all-will be over June 2, but we have to stay here for another week. I expect that mother and I will go part way by boat and stop off at Washington for a while.
I stay[ed] down at Mrs. Zimmerman's Friday night and slept until one o'clock the next afternoon. I didn't expect that I could do anything as lazy as that. I imagine that I didn't sleep quite as sound while my leg was bothering me, but it didn't really keep me awake.
John K. Wrote us quite a long letter for him this last week. He said that he tried to get up to see you on your birthday but got stuck. He spoke about planting some things up home.
The gardens here are all full grown now. The roses are lovely everywhere about even in dry barren yards the most beautiful roses grow.
Some of our girls are pretty worried about their people who are in the flood country. It is an awful thing to lose every single thing even if they aren't killed. The worst of it seems to be over now, so probably the girls will be getting word from their folks soon.
Well, it's time for our Sunday dinner. I wish that we might be eating a nice fat old hen with you.
Love, Nellie Sam
Nellie Pottle to Estelle Pottle, May 16, 1927
Source: PDF page 173; printed page 167.
Postmark: Atlanta, May 16, 1927 Heading: Spelman, Sunday
Dear Baalam,
[Letter begins with cartoonish drawing of 2 small human heads crying.] Jeff is gone so why shouldn't Nellie weep? He left yesterday morning and now "What's this dull town to me? Jefferson's not here." I expect Baalam that you'd think that Jeff is the measliest little shrimp in these parts, but I don't. Anyway you probably won't get a chance to pass your judgment on him.
Why all this turning over of new leaves with you, old lady? It isn't on the advice of the faculty or anything like that is it? Anyway we're glad to hear that you're getting down to studies.
How is everything doing with Mr. Colby's college? In about four weeks more Mother and I will be dropping in to see our daughter and sister.
Baalam, what would you do if John D. Rockefeller were going to visit your class? He is going to be visiting our classes on Thursday. I'm rather hoping that he'll just look in on mine and decide not to stop.
Well old timer work hard for the rest of the year and we will be there to see you soon.
You'll be crazy about your white suit. I think that mine is the duck's quack.
Heaps of love, 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.