Harlem Springs, Ohio

Feb. 7, 1943

 

Dear Ralph,

            It is Sunday again and it is cold and windy with a little snow. Friday was a beautiful day. The fire went out in the grate and we didn’t miss it. Bobbie and she came down today. I saw some flies and bugs and they were very lively. Billy got to fighting Whistler so I put him out in the box all day then I brought him in that evening and put him back in with Whistler, and about 12 o’ clock that night after I was ready for bed, I had to take him back out to the box. He was fighting again.

            So yesterday Dad knocked in the head of that old oil barrel in the wagon shed and burned it out. So they all have a barrel now. Bunnie is asleep.

            Dad is at Jimmies’ Junior was down a little while ago. He wanted 3 doz. Eggs for Myrtle. He says he is going to enlist after his birthday February 23.

            The hens are laying real well. I still have about 50 of the old ones.

            They are just beginning to lay now. You might send me about a ton of your white sand, it would be good for them to dust in if it didn’t scare them to death.

            Marjorie took a crate of eggs up to the store last Tuesday and I have another one for her this week. She stayed last Monday and Tuesday nights and went home on Wednesday.  The store closes at four on Wednesday. She was going to stay here Thursday and Friday nights, but she couldn’t drive in. I went to the Red Cross serving at Pets Tuesday night. I wasn’t quite ready when Marjorie and Ila came in. I thought I was going to have to walk but I didn’t. Jim Abaugh is coming Tuesday to paint. What do you have to do in your work.

            Maybe you will be yodeling yet. I expect you have other letters by this time.

            Pop got some tablets instead of capsules to doctor the sheep. We tried it Saturday but didn’t do any better than when you helped. We spoiled 4 tablets. We are going to get a machine to give them to them. I gave Shep one of the New Sheep Capsules this morning all by myself. He was very peaceful. This is Monday. It is a beautiful day.

            Pop is standing here waiting to take this to the office, so I will stop. Write real soon,

Marge

 

[little booklet]

            For Honour and for Her!

 

PASTE

“HER”

PORTRAIT HERE

The poem is gummed on the back for fastening in your pay-book, or ditty box

 

For Honour and for Her

 

SOMEWHERE, a woman, thrusting fear away,

Faces the future bravely for your sake;

Toils on from dawn till dark; from day to day;

Fights back her tears, nor needs the bitter ache;

She loves you, trusts you, breathes in prayer your name;

Soil not her faith in you, by sin or shame

Somewhere a woman-mother, sweetheart, wife-

Waits between hopes and fears for your return;

Her kiss, her words, will cheer you in the strife,

When death itself confronts you, grimaro stern;

But let her imagine all your reverence claim,

When base temptations scorch you with their flame.

Somewhere a woman watches – filled with pride;

Shrined in her heart, you share a place with none,

She toils, she waits, she prays, till side by side

You stand together when the battle’s done

O keep for her dear sake a stainless name

Bring back to her a manhood free from shame

                        MARAGARET SCRUTON

 

LONDON: THE ALLIANCE OF HONOUR

            Lesyian Chambers. 112-113 City Road E.C.I.