Pocatello Clinical Laboratories
Pocatello, IdahoPhone 1789
Jean Bentley Stalker, B. S.
Laboratory Technician
Dear Mary Rebecca,
I got your letter this noon and did enjoy it so much. As usual I am very busy but am going to get a start at this so I will be sure to get it to you in time.
I could never have so much news because I live so far and I don't know what I could tell you that would make my letter half as interesting as yours, but be it known that your letter is fully appreciated and I am going to ask you do do something for me right away and that is "Please go and call on Miss Broadhurst" She is going to take the first train after school closes for Pocatello and we are going to go through Yellowstone Park. My how I have wished and wished it might be your self coming along? I don't know how many times I have thought of you this spring and summer and thought that maybe you could come next summer and stay all summer with us. I am tempted to urge you to borrow beg or steal the money and come along with her. We would tuck you in someplace and my how I would love to see you. It wouldn't cost you anything but your car fare out and back. Think it over won't you? I know you seldom do impulsive things while I am always doing them, wouldn't you like to try it once? It really is a lot of fun to do something you hadn't planned on doing.
I was so delighted to hear that you were in N.Y. I can just picture you in the Thomson pool, yes that is where I learned to swim and I had the same instructor. It doesn't seem to me that things have changed much in the last 10 years Miss Broadhurst and the Rugers were my best friends and I have kept in touch with them in a way but I don't try to keep many friends, I prefer a few good ones, and strange as it may seem I have never made any friends here. I have a few acquaintances but never any one who can begin to take the place of my eastern friends.
I see you live on on [sic] 120th street too. So did I. I lived on both sides of the street. On the south side about the midde [sic] of the block and on the north I believe the name was the Terrace anyhow it was next the corner nearest Morningside drive. I wish I could go around with you on some of your walks. I lived my first year on Morningside Drive and was wild about it but just to look at. My walks nearly always took me to the river, down 118th street and usually north to the bridge then south to the Columbia boat house and possible farther and I liked it best in the evening along about and after sunset. There is something so peaceful there on the river looking at the boats going up and down the river and sometimes the Columbia boat crew would be out practicing and I always liked that. Then I always liked the walk up the steps to the library. The old Faculty club and Earl Hall I always enjoyed and another sceen [sic] that comes to me is the entrance to the Chapel on Amsterdam Ave. I liked the vines on the sides and the windows.
I just imagine you are having the time of your life with so many old acquaintances. I would love to see Miss Corprew again. I agree with you that she is a wonderful woman, and so few would be so game, doesn't it do you good to see her in the environment that she fits in? Poor soul I don't see how she has stood V.C. so long do you? Still a number of them have, and apparently they are happy. She surely has an active mind to be able to do so well with her Spanish at her age.
I was very much interested in the Mulford news too. I have often wondered what had become of Mary Corsa since her mother died. I always did think she was a terrific care and a great responsibility for any one as busy as M. C/ always was. I thought she always did dress pretty well, better than I ever did I know and I am quite sure you would be ashamed of me if you should see me now but we are trying so hard to save a little money. Has she gotten over that little nervous laugh? That annoyed me far more than her clothes. I am glad she is getting on with the Mulford people. I think she must be a wonder to get a salary out of them. I am sorry to say that I have been trying to use some of their products and I have had very poor success this summer. I have had an idea that it was deteriorating. I am surprised at M Cook, I didn't think she would ever do as prosaic a thing as marrying, but maybe the Constantinople part sounded romantic and interesting.
I am glad that Ruth did so well in her last tests and she surely was lucky to get a position so soon wasn't she? I hope she likes it. I think she has tackled a pretty tough proposition don't you? And somehow I should be glad that Wayne was out of that atmosphere if he was my brother I think. Philip is in public office and I know how crooked things can be but so far he has defied them and has had some interest
edscraps. It has made him unpopular but at times I wouldn't care much if he wasn't reelected. This is honestly the crookedest mans town I ever knew about The honest man is the exception to the rule and you have to hunt to find him.Well my dear I have some work I must get finished now, and it won't wait and as I have to get this off tonight I don't suppose I will have time to write more. My last parting thought is I wish you would throw discretion and prospection to the four winds and take the train Aug. 18th. I would be the happiest girl this side of the Rockies if you would. Anyhow go and see Miss Broadhurst and tell her who you are and see how nice she is, I think she is a little enthused over the trip too. I am so anxious that she find it all that they expect. It is surely wonderful. We have been through 3 times. You would see the mountains I sent you Xmas, but what makes more difference to me I would see you and we could see the park, and the glorious outofdoors [sic] as we used to do so long ago.
Good bye dear and if you should decide to come, just bring what you have for we are very plain people out here, and your old last years duds would look exactly like New York to us. The big thing is to come.
Oceans of love,
Jean