A Woman of Independent Means (10 page)

We both miss Texas. We have decided to cut short our stay here and return home this weekend.

Love from us both,
Bess

May 15, 1917
New York City

Fifth Avenue Florists
New York City

 

Please deliver one dozen long-stemmed roses to Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Davis, 33 Stonybrook, Westport, Connecticut, with the following message: “Thank you for giving us our first taste of eastern hospitality. It was an unforgettable weekend. I hope you will come to Texas soon so we can reciprocate. Bess and Rob.”

A check is enclosed.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Robert R. Steed

May 15, 1917
New York City

Director of Admissions
Choate School
Wallingford, Connecticut

 

Dear Sir:

My husband and I were driven through your impressive grounds this past weekend by our close friends Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Davis. Though we live at some distance—in Dallas, Texas—I am most anxious for my two sons, Robert and Andrew, to have the advantages of an eastern education.

I hope it is not too late to enroll them now for three years of preparatory school before college. Robert will be seven next month and Andrew will be six in November. Kindly reserve places for them in the appropriate classes.

Enclosed please find a check for $1,000 as a contribution to your current building campaign.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Robert
Randolph Steed

May 15, 1917
New York City

Dear Totsie and Dwight,

It was kind of you to entertain us for the weekend—and quite an education to be exposed to a way of life that simply does not exist in Texas. I feel sure both Rob and I will profit from the experience.

Your home is lovely and I never tired of looking out our bedroom window into your exquisite English garden. There were flowers blooming I had never seen before but would like to try planting at home—if such aristocratic species can survive in Texas soil. I for one suspect they will do very well.

We are leaving for home tomorrow, several days earlier than we originally intended—a hotel and friends cannot replace home and family for very long.

Good luck to Dwight in his efforts as chairman of the Choate Building Campaign.

It was good to see you again. I'm glad I didn't seem like a stranger to you.

Affectionately,
Bess

July 5, 1917
Dallas

Dear Papa and Mavis,

The Liberty Loan Campaign was officially launched in Dallas yesterday with a huge picnic at White Rock Lake. Rob made a rousing speech.

I've never had political ambitions for him before, but yesterday, listening to the crowd cheer, I became convinced he could be elected to any office in the country. However, he is not interested in winning votes now—all his energies are directed toward winning the war. He will be selling war bonds over a five-state area, which means he will be traveling most of the time. I miss him so much more when I'm at home and he's away than when I was in Europe and he was here. I wish there were more I could do for the war effort. I've joined the Red Cross but it is difficult to bring much passion to bandage-rolling.

Robin and Drew are fascinated by all the war talk. They have dug a trench around the servants quarters and spend most of the day in it.

You would have rejoiced to see Eleanor playing with the other children at the picnic yesterday. At least that war is almost won!

Much love,
Bess

August 16, 1917
Dallas

Dear Heart,

I have now joined the ranks of those who also serve by only standing and waiting—but thank God your battlefield is a podium and your weapons war bonds. Even so, your absence makes my heart ache.

Our trip to New York last spring was like a honeymoon for me—but a honeymoon greatly enriched by all the experiences shared in the years preceding it. I am always amazed to hear people say the first weeks or months of marriage are the best and then, “the honeymoon is over.” Of course I thought I loved you with all my heart when we were married, but it took marriage to teach me the outer limits of my anatomy, both physical and spiritual, and now I know that every moment we share further increases my capacity for love.

The only advantage of being apart is that we are forced to communicate by letter—and to express in words thoughts which might otherwise remain unspoken.

Goodnight, my love. Sleep well.

AUGUST 18 1917
DALLAS

ROBERT STEED
LIBERTY LOAN HEADQUARTERS
JEFFERSON HOTEL
ST LOUIS MISSOURI
HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE LAST NIGHT EVERYONE SAFE
CHILDREN WITH LYDIA I AM IN BAYLOR WITH DISLO-
CATED VERTEBRAE

BESS

 

 

August 19, 1917
Baylor Hospital
Dallas

Dear Papa and Mavis,

Don't be alarmed when you read this letter. We are all safe now. Two nights ago our house burned to the ground. The children—thank God—escaped without physical injury, though we had to jump from a second-story window to avoid the flames.

Rob was in St. Louis so Mrs. McCullough and I were alone with the children (fortunately Mother Steed was spending the week with Lydia). Mrs. McCullough led the way out the window—followed by Robin and Drew, brave little soldiers that they are. They held hands as they jumped into a net held by firemen, but neither cried till they were safely on the ground. Eleanor was terrified so I held her in my arms and we jumped together. I was so filled with gratitude for our safe escape I didn't realize how much pain I was in until I was loaded onto a stretcher and taken to the hospital. I have several dislocated vertebrae so I will be here at least a week. Fortunately Rob is with us now. He and the children are staying with Lydia and Manning.

There is nothing for you to do—except not worry—but it is comforting to know you live so near. I cannot imagine children ever wanting to live at a distance from their parents, even when they are grown with children of their own. Life is too frightening to face without the support of a strong and loving family.

I will write again in a day or so. There is not much pain now—and my physical discomfort is so outweighed by my gratitude for the escape of my children, I hardly even notice it.

All my love,
Bess

August 21, 1917
Baylor Hospital
Dallas

Dear Mr. Fineman,

The basket of fruit and delicacies arrived this morning. What a thoughtful gift! Flowers always make me a little sad—their life span is so short. But I will be enjoying your gifts for weeks to come, at home as well as in the hospital. The basket looks like a beautiful bon voyage present, which allows me occasionally to forget my present circumstances and imagine I am in a cabin on a luxury liner, traveling to a new destination.

I was surprised at the full coverage our fire received in
The Dallas News
. It was kind of you to send me an extra clipping. I just wish they had included a picture of the house before the fire (I have several excellent ones—they had only to ask) to demonstrate the extent of our loss. Every inch of that house was built to our specifications. We will never find another as perfectly suited to our needs. And building a house is out of the question in wartime.

For the moment we are at the mercy of friends and family—a position that is new to me and rather uncomfortable. However, I suppose in a larger sense we are all helpless creatures at the mercy of one another, and fate is finally forcing me to accept this fact.

Whatever sadness I feel at the loss of our home loses significance beside my gratitude for the safe escape of my loved ones. As long as my husband and children are with me, I will have a home, no matter where I happen to be.

Sincerely,
Bess Steed

August 24, 1917
Baylor Hospital
Dallas

Dear Papa and Mavis,

I am much improved and the doctor says I may go home tomorrow. Home! What a habit that word is. Lydia has insisted we stay with her, at least now while Rob is doing so much traveling. And Rob agrees—he does not want me to be alone with the children.