Guess I've lost my step–Two Letters/one envelope–Jan. 25-26, 1921

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[Headlines from The New York Times (page 1, above the fold) to place the letters in context of the world around them.]

SENATE PASSES BILL TO CHECK PACKERS

Southern-Western Combination Puts It Through, 46 to 33, Against Leader. SIZE OF VOTE A SURPRISE Efforts Will Be Made to Expedite It in the House, but aFight Is Predicted.

One Income of $5,000,000, Reported in 1918 Returns

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Cottage Hotel

Sylvester McHale, Propr.

Steam Heat

Dolgeville, NY Jan 25, 1921

eight PM

My Darling:

Have just had supper and will drop a word to you and go to bed for our rest from my cares. Have had a bad day and am skunked! Must be careful not to tell any tale of woe. I called on First National Bank, where I had an order last year for nearly $800. New assistant cashier and he wants to look at all the lines, take numbers, prices, etc. He is a nice young fellow, but just out of college and has not much experience. I could not get him to come to any decision. I also called on The Observer, but did not have anything. Mr. Bailey liked well enough to buy. After dinner, I called on Mr. Wind over Whitesboro Baker and in spite of all I could do, I could not get him to buy. Don't know why, but I couldn't. Have sold him nearly every year. Guess I've lost my step.

I am sending a little clipping out of tonight's Syracuse Journal, which might help me. I have been cold all day. It really seems as though I have felt the cold more in my heavy coat than I did those cold days last week in my light coat. One thing, it fits tighter.

Op Ed on the Mayflower Syracuse Journal 1/25/1921

I hope to do some business tomorrow and the result, I'll try to keep going. One thing I am sure worries me and that's my finances. I am fully convinced that as long as we don't want to make the farm our home and business we ought ought to sell it. I am sure of that it surely does worry me and I can't help it.

Can't see any possible chance of Anywhere near breaking even this coming year, I wish I could get along without even bothering you or saying anything about money matters to worry you.

I am very thankful that I have no car to bother with. That's a relief from yesterday.

Hope to get to Gloversville tomorrow night,

Your loving, Jack

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Cottage Hotel

Sylvester McHale, Propr.

Steam Heat

Dolgeville, NY

January 26 10:30 PM

My darling:

When I finished writing you last night I was anxious to go to bed. It was awful cold and I was tired and weary in my mind. But after making out my skunk report I was sore and so went out and sold two orders for $19.14 and $60. It was 11:00 o'clock when I got to bed. And the bed felt good, had a funny dream! One of my 2 year old heifers got out of the pasture and I had a long chase after her. She jumped clear over the fence and I wasn't after her. When I awakened my heart was just a thumping as though I had run a mile. I have six orders here today as follows $79.50, $21, $42, $260, $82 and $20. I sold the Breckwoldt Piano Book Company 100 “Love’s Miracle” in the new expensive treatment for the $260 tonight at his home.

I will get out of here sometime in the forenoon tomorrow for the Little Falls and then on towards Gloversville. Am tired again tonight and want to get to bed and get a good sleep.

Love for each.

Jack

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Editor's notes

You've gotta love this guy! He finishes his day "skunked" (having sold nothing) and is so disturbed by his failure, he goes out after his supper to try again. And he succeeds. He is also moved by the Op Ed about the frustrations of the Pilgrims. I wonder if this article was what caused him to leave his warm room and go out into the cold January night to drum up some business. Of note, his ancestor, and mine, was one of the signatories of the Mayflower Compact. He was also the first European person tried and hung for murder in the new world.

More on John Billington

I'm shocked to learn that John is selling the farm. Interestingly he dreams of it, which is one of his joys. Our family lore includes stories of the family camping there all summer, of the cow, Bess, stepping on a teaspoon as she walked through the tent, of Frank getting lost as he goes out to bring home a giant Christmas tree. The farm is John's real interest, but, it seems he can't make it work financially, and, as usual, he puts his family and his finances first.