15 April 1927 - Happy Birth-day

April 15, 1927

My dear Little Sybil:

Welcome, thrice welcome, to your glorious city. The telephone announcement by the engineer of your train, which announcement was later confirmed by the fireman, that you had arrived safely, was greeted with three cheers by your Uncle Ed and Aunt Anna. My, My, how we have waited for you, Sybil. Do you know, I have been thinking about you all the time and wondering when you were going to arrive. I did not worry, however, because I knew you were on the very best train possible and that you had one of the most beautiful and efficient engineers that could be gotten. I was rather doubtful, however, about the fireman of your train because he insisted on feeding your engineer with candy, nuts, etc, instead of “ROUGHAGE” which I knew was so good for you and your engineer. I suppose your conductor (Grandma) has gone completely silly since your arrival. I know your fireman has, but your engineer, she has retained her senses since she appreciates her responsibilities as engineer of your wonderful train. If your conductor or fireman tries to tickle your toes or want to give you sour pickles to eat, you just yell at the top of your voice and I will be over and put a stop to it right away.

While you were on your way, I should imagine you were about in Philadelphia at the time, I was out to French Lick playing golf. My seventy-two year old caddy told me to keep my head down and I would get better shots. But I just simply could not do it, Sybil, because I was thinking about you. Now that you have arrived, I imagine my golf will improve wonderfully.

Now that you are here I am going to tell you a secret. While you were on your way I took your train, the engineer and the fireman out for a ride in my automobile. And, do you know, Sybil, I thought at one time you were surely going to get off your train and step right into my car. While I was a little bit nervous at the time, I would have been tickled to death had you done so. My what a whale of an automobile I would have had if you had done so.

Well, Sybil, your Uncle Ed and Aunt Anna are looking forward to having some great times with you and we are both coming over just as soon as you have rested up from your journey.

Sincerely,

Uncle Ed


****I love how he wrote this letter... very sweet.