This is the first installment
of the “Biscuit Tin” letters. The
letters start in 1908 and continue sporadically for several years. They were
written by Alice –a young lady of some means – she travels, attends school and had been East
previously – this is where she apparently met Mr. McDonough, whom she calls “Pansy”
in many letters. Pansy worked at Whitchens Drug Co. (I believe it was a drug store) in Woburn, MA. All
the letters in the box were sent to him at the drug store address.
As time permits I am
trying to find out more about our Alice and
Pansy from local historical societies and will share what I can find with you as I post the letters. So our saga begins below as Alice writes to Pansy after ~ well just read on...
From
Chula Vista, Cal
September
7, 1908
Mr.
McDonough,
My
dear friend,
Of
course you will be more than surprised to hear from me. But, dear, I want you
to forgive me, in all respects, for I humbly beg forgiveness of you. Probably you realized that others had a
greater influence over me and while I was there and at school I could hardly do
anything, without consulting my Uncle or other relatives. The last letter I
wrote you was written against my will;
and I cried, because I was copying a letter written by my Uncle for you. It was
all like a dream to me. But, now, I am free
to do any thing, as I am going on nineteen now, and of course I am allowed to
do as I please.
But,
now I will close this ‘mean’ subject with the ardent hope of receiving your
forgiveness in your answer to this.
My
dear, let me tell you, that thoughts of various sorts, were placed before me;
if I did not copy and send that last letter to you. And I beg you will burn it up – please?
Your
gift you sent to me; through the kindness of Mr. MacDonald was greatly
appreciated and I opened it more than once when I was alone in my room and
looked tenderly into the face of the kind and thoughtful giver.
Well,
I sighed, after I had finished that last tear-stained note to you dictated by
another. I will, someday, when I am free to write as I wish; I will write and
ask his forgiveness.
But
the horrid thought appeared quite often in my mind since I left the East June
7, 1907 –that he will never notice the over ‘bored letter girl’ he knew.
Convince me that me thoughts were and are full of nonsense.
You
remember the night I bought up the ‘maid’ – just so she would not say we were
out walking. And I bribed everybody, every time I did any thing. Maybe its
quite useless for me to relate these past occurrences, for I think you realize
how “closely guarded” I was situated, and, dear, I thought too much to part
with any of those very sincere gifts you presented me.
But
as I have already stated threats to the “poor little sixteen” year baby, or
your gift – and then I sent your gift back, through fear!
I
beg you will keep this a secret from my relatives there. By this I mean that
probably you might say, (unconsciously thinking that “talk” might be aroused by them) something about having hear from
me.
But
there is one other that I can trust you telling him, and that is Mr. MacDonald
(the ticket agent). I think and have always thought him a perfect gentleman,
and one with you, of whom I could trust and confide. And I wish If You Care to have him hear this letter
or parts of it. To let him know that I haven’t forgotten you, your dear thought
of presenting gifts and other things similar. Now even of course I knew no
other as well as you two, while I was in Woburn.
I
studied very hard while at school. And took in New York
City, before starting for Calif.
Perhaps you remember of my speaking of my cousins, Harry Wood and Ada, - well, Ada
married the January I was there and moved to (???). So we stopped over a day or
two with her. Breaking the monotony of the trip.
I
have had just the finest kind of times while here and I have met just loads of people
– fellows and girls. Still I hear from quite a few in the East. Some of Yale College
and NY City -but none of Woburn.
So let you be one of the “dearest friends” who writes from Woburn. And let it be a long, long one to.
Enclosing the gold locket (if you still wear it) for I hated to give it up,
when I did.
 |
| The Coronado Resort mentioned in Alice's letter |
Last
summer I arrived from the East. Mon(?), Ellen and I spent these weeks in Los Angeles and had a gay
time. This summer we spent a few weeks at a beautiful resort La Jolla and at
the wonderful beach resort Coronado
and (??) City. (??) closes for the
winter tomorrow but I have spent some dandy times over there.
Went
autoing nearly ever other day and covered hundred of miles of “INTERESTING” places and scenery.
Well,
dear, if you are sensible and nice it won’t be hard for you to see through all
I had to put up with and how all occurred. Tell Mr. MacDonald to drop me a card
if he cares to as I would really appreciate it. Perhaps this letter will cheer
you –and again it might prove just the
opposite.
But
dear I did love you. I do now but so
many are in the way that I could express my self better after hearing your
decisions.
Very
Sincerely – your old friend,
Alice
B. Wood
