Sneaky and Kid -- the letters of Tom and Ruth

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Tom Starts with Stone and Webster

In April 1916, through his connection with "J.B. Lukes", Tom is offered a job in the Boston office of Stone and Webster as a statistical analyst. Within the year he is promoted to an operations job at the Haverhill subsidiary.

April-September 1916: Tom in Boston

Tom moves to Boston and starts his new career.

In NYC. Lots of details.

RAP-1916-04-28

TPW-1916-04-28

TPW-1916-04-30

LetterIntroduction-1

LetterIntroduction-2

Includes a card from Aunt Carrie.

George Campbell 1916-05-18

Pierre 1916-05-21

This fellow Pierre appears in the letter box on occasion. Ruth sends his letters along to Tom.

A night at the Pops. Tom would become a regular attendee.

TPW-1916-05-27

TPW-1916-05-28

It pretty near rained all day today, but didn't, and Jo and I had a great old time at Wellesley. Their campus is beautiful -- wonderful big trees -- lakes -- and a great deal of grass. We walked to East Natick, about two miles, then got a canoe, and rowed a couple of miles more up the Charles River. Gosh it was great.

TPW-1916-06-03

A day of sightseeing in Boston.

Tom talks about "Tech" [MIT] and its move from Boston to Cambridge.

One small item in the order of affairs is a miniature Greek boat the "Bucentaur" on which the archives are to be carried across the River. The tab cost $20,000. Pageants, Smokers, Dinners, Dances, and everything goes.

TPW-1916-06-18

TPW-1916-06-20

TPW-1916-06-21

Tom receives an inquiry about whether he would consider becoming a high school principal. (He isn't interested.)

Our three room school is five minutes south of Fallon [Nevada] and has in connection ten acres of sand and sagebrush.

TPW-1916-06-23

A sweet reminiscence.

Ruth writes of Erma and Earl's (friends in Nevada) wedding.

TPW-1916-06-30

RAP-1916-07-01

TPW-1916-07-02

Sabine is coming to Boston.

Sabine will be here Tuesday, and I'm anticipating a huge time with her. I can be sure that everything I like she'll like much better, and thereby cause me more enjoyment. Hurry Sabine -- and lets have our bat.

TPW-1916-07-02A

TPW-1916-07-03

More touring around eastern Massachusetts.

This afternoon we spent in Salem, the quaintest little old time shipping town in the U.S.A. I guess. We saw their wonderful museum with collections from all the funniest parts of the world that sailors had ever been. We saw the old time whaling industry laid out before us, and souvenirs of all sorts and conditions, only mostly odd and real sailor like.

RAP-1916-07-03

RAP-1916-07-06

Isabel Schuler Spencer inserts a paragraph into Ruth's letter.

TPW-1916-07-06-postcard

TPW-1916-07-06-medical

Summary of physical exam for Tom.

RAP-1916-07

In the Haverhill July 1917 packet but looks like a Boston July 1916 letter.

Al, Tom's friend from the office, is moving up. Tom thinks about his next move, and asks Ruth a question.

Al leaves the office Saturday for a weeks vacation -- then to Brockton to be a power solicitor at $70 or $75 per month. He has been in the office only four months, and steps over the heads of three men. I automatically take head of our section, and again the wheels start to grind. It surely filled me with a great big 'glad', only I hate to lose my roomy, because he's been a good one. Hope I can get the same sort of a job in El Paso or Seattle. All right with you?

TPW-1916-07-17

RAP-1916-07-18

Ruth responds.

I don't wanta live in Texas! Seattle is great! That's an awful jump from S.A. to Seattle, but while we're jumping let's do it good and not land in Tex.

TPW-1916-07-24

TPW-1916-07-27

Tom reflects on another's inability to get a desired promotion. Also, he comments on the Boston heat, and on married life.

The big moral to me is "circulate", and I thank the heavens that I've had a bit of that chance even if it has been stolen. Another point -- a fellow has to have his first shove-off from headquarters to get the proper sort of steering....

Say this is the fishiest, clamiest, nastiest climate I ever saw. My clothes stick to me, and to my seat. Everything has a wilted water-logged appearance and it's the deuce to salt one's eggs. That they call humidity. I'd like a wee bit more humanity in mine.

...I'm selfish enough to expect your to cheer me on with pretty words even if they aren't true -- to use your bigness to help mine over the small ugly places, and to drive me right to the top of some place where we can look out and say -- we've sure come a long ways together Huh?

TPW, 1916-07-31

Tom is concerned about his brother Bert and Bert's frustration that Tom is not home to help out.

I've got family troubles too. It seems that Bert has advertised the fact that now I have quit the family cold, he must give up his ambition to go through college, and knuckle down to support the family.

Tom complains about the Boston subway system closing too early at night, but walking back to the YMCA with another gent who also missed the T, he learns of a common acquaintance.

Tom enthuses about his team, the World Series bound Boston Red Sox.

Here I've been following baseball -- like I never could before, and rooting for a winning team, and never even told you why that are at the head of the league. (It's the Red Sox I'm talking about, of course) Why their pitcher's name is Ruth, and the catcher is Thomas. That combination would win anywhere. Walker the center fielder is a demon too. No wonder!!!

October 1916 - August 1917: Tom in Haverhill

Tom is promoted out of the statistical analysis office in Boston, into an operating position in Haverhill, up by the New Hampshire border.

RAP-1916-10-12

TPW-1916-10-06

TPW-1916-10-11

J. B. Lukes 1916-10-17

J. B. Lukes is a senior person in Stone and Webster, and was Tom's key contact, from Reno, into Stone and Webster. He was in the process of moving from New York to Boston.

I saw the last game of this series which was the only World Series game I ever saw, and I thought it was hardly worth the time it took and the money it cost.

To Tom From Aunt Carrie 1916-12-22

Beautiful handwriting.

TPW-1916-12-24

Travel instructions to SAE Convention, Pittsburgh

TPW-1916-12-27

Lonely, from the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh.

When I'm fresh and bouyant, I'm always wanting you Sweetheart, but when I'm low and depressed my whole being crys for you you you. Isn't that a test for love -- Isn't that what a wife-pal is for?

RAP-1916-12-28

An unexpected visit from Sol, but no worries.

Tom, it's all right and you aren't to worry one scrap about it. It's only you I want, and he knows so there's no funny business.

Date unclear.

Ruth negotiates a job offer.

Did I tell you I talked to Prof. Doten the other day about a job. He'd give me $50 a month "since salaries have been lowered" etc. etc. I thanked him for his kindness , but told him my price was $75.00 for a new office and $90.00 for an old. He doesn't know it's 10 times harder to work for him, to suit his whims, as for any other business man. I may fail in my threat, but he's not my Waterloo anyhow.

Descriptions of Haverhill, and financial conditions for marriage.

Ruth sends Tom a letter to her from Pierre du Holt. I don't think that's what ol' Pierre had in mind...

So you are going to graduate in June -- I would like to give you a present -- something like building you a bungalow out in Tuxedo Park if that Boston man is not too much of a foregone conclusion (I hear sounds in high C). I can imagine you answering this part of the letter but just the same you know where my heart is -- to the one girl that understands. Maybe I shouldn't write this because -- you are not single yet but -- better than that -- woman's reason's "besides and because". If I overstepped put an X down in the corner of your next epistle thus [dotted line to an X in the corner] but don't throw things at me, and besides it would be a submarine signal, not interpreted by others.

Mrs. Schuline wants me to come back and live in Reno but that would shut all advancement out. The Nevada men that stick don't seem to get ahead fast.

Some of these days you and I will have to talk pretty seriously about war because it's pretty close at hand. I've written Boyle for what I should expect from him. If he doesn't want me, I want to be an aviator, Sneaky. Think awhile now before you jumps on me.

TPW-1917-04-04

I want to be a aviator. I've been talking it up to myself for quite a while now -- and have determined to journey into Boston some of these fine days to see what's to be done.

TPW-1917-04-06

More discussion about Tom and positioning for war.

I have determined to investigate the Officer's Reserve Corps, now that these other activities seem to be dormant. Because of your serious objections I am not now quite so enthusiastic about aviation. Id sure like it tho, Sneaky. Maybe that quip about its taking more stuff to do the prosaic struck home. It's true that's the reason.

RAP-LetterOfRecommendation

RAP-1917-04-19

RAP-1917-04-23

[not certain about the date...] Got a peachy letter from you today, honey kid. Still you didn't say anything about war. They won't draft you, will they? I'm goin' right straight ahead and plan for October! Oh, I'm so anxious for us to be married then. I'd surely shoot thru the summer happily if I thought the war wouldn't bust into our plans. Gosh! I gotta have you, sweetheart.

Tom congratulates Ruth on her graduation, and shares inside talk about the company creating a new position for Tom.

Delta Rho gag

Pi Phi Card

Pi Phi Present 1917-05-01

Miss Pyle University Nevada card

From the college days.

RAP-1917-05-18

Ruth describes Commencement Week.

At [vacation] camp day 1.

RAP-1917-08-10-Telegrams

From Ruth to Tom.

Made Officer Training Corps, must report in two weeks.

According to paper tonight you must report at San Francisco August 25. If I go to Wells I can be with you until school opens September 10. Send nightletter immediately if satisfactory with you that I go to Wells. Must give notice Monday. Difficult to resign.

TPW-1917-08-10-Telegram

Tom's reply

Bless your wonderful heart for sending that message this morning. Abe brought it to camp and I have not been myself since. Congratulate both for me and tell mother that I am a mighty happy kid. That appointment sure simplifies matters a lot. Now the hard work commences.

TPW-1917-08-11-Telegram

Tom's second reply

Yes you had better go to Wells but you must rest. I do not like to say that either have no official notice from the reserve officer. From your message I must leave here tuesday or wednesday am on a trip tonight one week from tonight we may spend together.

RAP-1917-08-12-Telegram

Ruth announces her resignation from Wells.

Do not send your money by answering this but I wanted you to know tonight I sent resignation to Wells. This means absolutely my plans are yours at any time. Our mothers are in accord with idea without question. You must report San Francisco August 25 or forfeit place.

TPW-1917-08-15

Tom leaves Haverhill.

Leave here tomorrow morning. Tomorrow in Boston, Friday in N.Y., and then to Reno. Arrive about Tuesday will let you know further. Am pretty busy these days.

Numbers

Ruth sends phone numbers for Tom in Reno [?]

Poem

No date, no author. Assume it is Ruth. It does feature a thunderstorm though.