A Curious Find

Found this at a random thrift store during my break while working in Sparklecity. I know it doesn't look like much to most people, but I was drawn to it. In a packed, old, dusty warehouse it was the only item that didn't have a price tag. I held up the turquoise caddy to the lady at the counter. She was sitting at an old second-hand keyboard staring at a beginner piano book ... I can only assume trying to figure out how to play. Over her head the shelves of random forsaken items now deemed treasures sagged as they were joined by a mammoth TV blasting an afternoon soap.
With a deep accent showcasing a long southern heritage she growled, "You interested in that?"
I nodded. She gave me a careful once over and said, "Bring it here and lemme give it a look."
I took it to the counter as nonchalantly as possible. It's best to show those who wheel-and-deal that you have only a passing interest in any item or they'll drive the price up. (Learned that from my older sister -- who is a queen at yard saling.)

She carefully ruffled thru every little bit -- I have no idea what she thought could be hiding in this stash of papers. I could smell her cigarette breath as she counted out loud. I tried to look interested in the random jewelry on the counter.
She rasped out, "I guess I'll take $15 for it."

So I shrugged my shoulders and walked away looking at some mid-century planters -- a personal favorite. I was torn. That was a high price I thought, but it was relative. I was very curious what was written in those papers. So I asked her some random questions about the planters and showed great interest in a pastel one ... I really did like it and didn't have one of the same color. It's a funny dance of knowing when to barter and when to just let it go. I asked her what some other items were that I couldn't care less about and praised her taste in choosing some unique circus pieces. She just glowed and started to tell me about her business. I wasn't disinterested; I find people fascinating. But I knew I was just making her like me and want to give me a deal. So I put the planter on the counter and said I'd take it. I didn't even bother to haggle the price. She rang it up and bagged it. I asked if she'd throw in the papers for $10. Somehow, some family's personal records seemed worth two drinks at Starbucks. (How sad.)

the old stationary box housing the letters

She was happy to oblige. She said it belonged to a local spinster she knew who grew up in Sparklecity. So I left with a curious treasure.
The contents are 2 pictures, a box of letters, handful of old stamps torn off of envelopes, one picture hanging wire, an old outlet plug and a couple of items torn from newspapers.

At home I laid out all the items and tried to figure out how they went together. It really is a mystery puzzle. I finally figured out that the letters spanned over 50 years and were to different members of the family. There was only one love letter. The subject of most letters alluded to family events that seemed more sad than good. The newspaper clips are by far the most puzzling.

Stack of letters in the box

Anyway, in this and subsequent posts, I just want to share with you what I learned about the Davis family of Briarwood Road from the bits of ephemera left in this box and since abandoned by the family to this curious stranger.

It would seem that the "spinster" member of the family who kept all the letters was named Mary Davis. Her mother was Mattie (don't know if it was a nickname or not). Mattie received some very interesting letters from her sister ... especially during the Depression. Times were hard!

However, I'd like to share one letter that Mary got from what appears to be a pen pal from England. We have no idea how they met or how long they corresponded. For some reason, Mary only kept one letter they exchanged.
(For the record, someone nicknamed "Doc" was either a relative or close friend of the Davis family and also served during WWII. He's mentioned not only in this letter but in other letters from the same time period.)

I love that I opened these letters and they were left on the last page as if they had just been read by the owner. But I digress. Here's a letter -- exactly how it was written -- from P. Bark of Cheltenham, England, to one Miss M. Davis, of Spartanburg, S.C. Mailed on August 14, 1947.

Dear Mary,
Many thanks for your letter received a short while ago. I do enjoy hearing from you over there. No doubt you understand the feeling of loneliness now you have lost your friend -- after friends are married I find they change somehow -- of course I have plenty of acquaintances but am rather fussy regarding my real friends. Of course when Doc was over here am afraid I gave very little of my spare time to my girl-friends -- each evening when Doc was free from duty we always went out some place especially at the week-ends.

First page of letter from Pat

I was certainly very thrilled to hear about another package on the way for me -- you have no idea how much I appreciate your kind thoughts -- of course the hose will be handled with great care and worn on high days and holidays. I do love good hose but over here everything like gold to purchase -- you have probably read that we are expecting further cuts in our rations! Am afraid I cannot remember the last time we had peaches, we rarely ever see them.
Have you had your vacation yet? Do tell me if you went to the sea or up on the mountains. Just recently I have seen several Americans over here, no doubt they are on furlough visiting friends they made when stationed over here.
Last Saturday I spent rather a pleasant day -- all the afternoon I played tennis -- do you play this game very much? And then after tea, one of the girls from the office and myself cycled 5 miles outside Cheltinham to a small village Fête. These surrounding villages are so small that the church funds are very low, so in order to raise money -- each year during the summer they have fête. It was held in a large field where stalls were erected and various competitions were carried on including sports of various descriptions. There was a scuttle competition the prize being a real pig -- I tried hard but could not win some. There were three lovely horses there so my friend (just a casual one) had real fun trying to ride! Have you an interest in horse-riding? We both felt exceedingly stiff after our game of our cycle ride and horse-ride, but we really enjoyed everything. I believe the total sum realize was L300 which to such a small place meant very very much. The minister is going to have a new hall built where meetings can be held during the week. I do not know if you can picture these quaint village churches still with oil lamps and only chairs, the congregation only numbers about 10 at an evening service.
My sister's baby Patricia Ann is getting really lively. She has large blue eyes (not a bit like the Back family we have all the same hazel eyes.) My sister has just given her a bath and I have taken her up to her cot, she does not take long to go to sleep and is a very happy and contented baby. Before Patricia came I was not a lover of children, but since she has been here I have changed a few of my ideas as she is so lovable.

return address from England w/post mark

Do you ever go swimming? We have many open-air baths -- but since the awful outbreak of Infantile Paralysis spreading over this country at various places most of these baths are closing down. Many children from our secondary schools were disappointed as holidays had been planned for them to visit the homes of various children in Holland and Belgium, then the children from Holland were praying to return visit to England. Unfortunately all this was cancelled at short notice.
Have you seen any good shows recently? Last week I saw the film "They Were Sisters" featuring James Mason and Phyllis Calvert. I quite enjoyed it as the story was quite unusual. A few weeks ago I went to a dance at our Town Hall, but did not enjoy it very much, the music was terrible loud and brassy, perhaps that helped to spoil my evening.
How do you spend your time in the evenings? Have you found yourself a new boy-friend yet?
Now I have changed my office I find my work much more interesting -- am trying to catch up on my short-hand but have decided to go to evening classes during the winter months. Since I left school am afraid my shorthand has suffered from not enough practise.
Well Mary I am afraid I cannot stop for more at the moment. Please give my regards to Mr. & Mrs. Davis. I trust they are both very well. Do write again soon.
Must Close
Kindest Thoughts
Pat


Some interesting notes on the letter:
1. What is a fête? a festive outdoor party especially common in England
2. What is this game of scuttle? Who knows? But I did find this definition: British English: scuttle -- When people or small animals scuttle somewhere, they run there with short quick steps. (maybe it's a quick foot race?)
3. How bad was rationing in England during WWII? doesn't sound like a piece of cake!
4. What is Infantile Paralysis? Polio -- see a brief history here
5. Tell me about Cheltenham! OK, I think I'd like to visit here too!
6. Want to read some other fascinating exchange letters during WWII? My personal favorite -- "84 Charing Cross Rd"
7. What about this movie: "They Were Sisters" (a melodrama dealing with spousal abuse)

So, there is much more to this collection of memories of one family. I'm enjoying exploring this slice of Southern life.

More to come ...