A Trip and a Visit to Scotland and Aunt Letty

From Jim's Letter, May 14, 1938:

"My Only Sweetheart--
     You're so darn good, thoughtful, and true, that even if I wanted to lose you, my sense of value would make me cling to the love which I have for you through anything of what we have had to face and conquer thus far through our individual lives.

" . . .Last week I wished you could have been with me where I was for it would certainly have made a glorious honeymoon. Pennock and I went up to Glasgow [Scotland] to attend the district conference, and we had a lovely time as well as a fine trip. England and Scotland are so beautiful at this time of the year that all a person wants to do is travel and look at the green rolling hills on one side, and the blue-green sea on the other. We had a boat trip down the river Clyde while we were in Glasgow and you would have marveled at how smooth the water was and how green the hills were. The sky blue reflecting in harmony with the green hills to make an incomparable sight that I shall never forget, as long as I live. . .

Jim in a Scottish Kilt

". . .While I was in Glasgow I stayed with another of my many aunts and uncles for two days. She was very interested in my coming here to England . . .She was very surprised when I let her see your picture, the one who I am engaged to be married to, and will return to marry. Aunt Letty, as she is called, is Mother's sister and boy did she treat me really and truly nice. So on my release she insists that I go and stay with her for a while before I go on home. Which, darling, leads us up to the tour on the continent. I have had very poor word from home, and rather than burden them too much, I hardly think I should even consider such a trip. True it would be very lovely and nice, but there is so much more to think about. And even after a release, a month with all of my people and then home will be pretty near April then. . .

". .  .Say, has it ever crossed your mind darling, that this time next year we will be together in all that we attempt to do. I only have 1/3 of my mission to complete and then I'll be on my way home again. And when I come, let's you and I, borrow a car and if I can still drive one, go up to Lamb's Canyon and there have a real chat of all we have done and want to do. I have so much to tell you Gwen, and show you, that we will need many days up there to make it complete. . .

". . . Sending you every particle of my love and wishing to ever be your sweetheart.

Loving you always,

I am

Your Sweetheart,

Jim

"May I leave you kisses? XXXXX Remember me, I'm the guy you gave your goodnight kisses to.  Love."
 

From Gwen’s letter, May 21, 1938:

“P.S. This girl who is interested in a trip on the continent will gladly loan you the money if you’ll write and tell her how much it will take and if you’ll promise not to let the loan influence your feelings or obligate you in the least.

“You say you’ll never understand me because I want you to have a trip on the continent instead of staying an extra year as a missionary . . . I’m thinking of the lesser of two lengths of time  . . . it is probably the only time you’ll ever have a chance  to see a large part of this old world and since you’re that near it would be a shame for you to miss the chance of a lifetime . . .Please write and tell me approximately how much you’ll need . . . and I believe it can be arranged if you’ll make the promise I asked you to make.”

 

Changes? and Hopes for our Future

From Gwen's letter, May 21, 1938:

"Darling,

"I must have thought of you just then. Love, Gwen"

To-day marks the sixteenth month since I last saw you that terribly cold night at the train. Since that night so many things have happened one after another that like you, I often wonder how different we both will seem when we do meet. Will we even know each other? Wouldn't it be something if we passed each other up without recognizing? But for some reason or other I believe I would recognize you if I got within a block of you. Maybe I'm wrong but as long as you walk the same and are tall and dark, I'll bet on my ability to know you. Why don't you write and describe yourself to me--your personality, your walk, your hair, eyes, and all about you in comparison to 16 months ago to-day then I'll be sure to recognize you. As for me, I'm even more of a dishwater blonde than I was before, I'm gaining weight rapidly. By the time you get home I'll look like a tub. I still have a complexion like a volcano. My fingernails are broken off. I still forget to sew buttons on my coat. I'm still awfully particular about the seams in my hose being straight, remember? My eyebrows are terribly neglected since you left and I'm half as pleasant to be around since you left &you know how awful I was before. I get down in the dumps & refuse to get Wahoo's glass of water at supper. In fact, I'm generally deteriorated. I don't have time to read up on current events or anything to improve my intellect, so I'm in a mental rut. In fact, kid, when you get home you'll probably never want to hear of Gwen Wagstaff again. One thing though which is still the same is my love for a guy named Jim. I hope he won't be too awfully disappointed in me when he arrives home. . .

"My birthday, Feb. 13, 1938. . .Note the conservative hat!!"

"As for my idea of you, I know you'll be a little broader in more than one way and I think I'll like you that way very very much, but neither of us really knows do we? Maybe, and probably, we'll be so different to what we expect that most likely we'll start getting acquainted all over again. I hope we still both like dancing, hiking, canyons, moons, apple trees, theme songs, roses and all the things we've always liked before. . .

 "Ah, look at me how fat I'm getting--I weigh 121."
 (in picture: Gwen on left; her parents are on the far right)

" . . .Honestly we'll feel so lost around here with both Cec and Don gone & then, if you still want me when you get home, what will happen to Mom and Dad? They'll be right back where they started about 31 years ago. What shall we do when we're in the same boat as they are, darling? Well when we do get married--I hope--let's build always for that time so that we'll enjoy ourselves to-gether those years just as we should alone together at first. Can't you just see us playing golf, tennis, hiking, swimming, reading, riding & dancing when we're almost 60 years old.  
It's a nice picture don't you think so.                                                                                             
                                                                                                         
". . .Goodnight Sweetheart & with a tender kiss and hug I send oodles of love--
Gwen"

Beachwear, Steamboat Rides, and a visit to St. Bees

From Gwen's Letter, May 7, 1938:

"Dearest Sweetheart,

The Newcastle District Elders. . .at the beach? (Jim 2nd from left)

I was so thrilled to finally receive some pictures of you that I've almost worn them out already I've looked at them so much. Darling, those pictures mean so much. Honestly I had almost forgotten how tall and dark and good looking you were and I think you are looking much happier, much more satisfied than I have seen you look for a long time and your 194 pounds hasn't made you too fat at all . . . You asked if I ever got that picture of your 'little bathing suit' and I did. And when you said 'little' you meant it. . . I still love to receive pictures of Jim in them . . ."


From Jim's Journal, Tues. May 10, 1938, Glasgow:

RMS Queen Elizabeth

 " . . . I shaved in cold water, Brrrr. Pennock and I with Sis Malmberg took a trip down the Clyde to Dunoon on a river steamer and saw all the boats they are building and the new Queen Elizabeth.  It was a lovely trip and we all enjoyed it very much. And so back to Glasgow on a train from Gaurock [sp?] . . . After lunch we started for home and ended up on the road to Edinburgh when we had started on the way to Carlisle. Three rides were needed to put us into Edinburgh . . . Another day."


From Jim's Letter to Gwen, Mon. May 23, 1938, London, W.C.I.:

"My Dearest Gwen,

. . . Yesterday was such a lovely Sunday here in Carlisle with the sun out and all, that we had to take a walk out in the fields, through the lanes and it was all so fine and lovely that I wanted you to be here with me. But you were so far away that all my wanting availed nothing and only made me want you more. It was all very much like Lambs Canyon and our rendezvous, and if I could only have reached out and taken you in my arms to kiss you and say again that I love you so much, I would have felt much better than I really did. Just one of those times when I love you so much it really hurts.

". . .We had two lady missionaries here last night and so had a lovely discussion from both sides of the water. From their side of the question they say a girl will wait, but an Elders ideas are altered so much he fails in his desires and ideals. . . A lady missionary wants in a husband, (1) spirituality, (2) personality, (3) ambition, (4) ideals. How do those qualities compare to you who have not been on missions? We had a lovely discussion, and finally they asked me how I felt about girls coming on missions. So I told them and now they are trying to convert me to the idea that they can do all an Elder can, except perform temporal and spiritual ordinances. But I'm still not convinced.

" . . . I am going to make this letter rather short this time as we are traveling again and we are ready to leave. Remember darling that all my love belongs to only one in this world and can never be rightly shared with anyone, and my one purpose and desire is to see that love culminate in a union of you and I.

"Love me always as I love you.
Sincerely, devotedly,
Your Sweetheart,
Jim"

From Jim's Journal, Tues. May 24, 1938, Egremont: 

"Looking toward the front of church [in St. Bees] where Mother & Dad were married"

"St. Bees Head fron the north side" (written on back)

"Lower Main St, St. Bees. Uncle Bill [Telford] in foreground"

"After dressing and eating we borrowed the bikes and rode over to St. Bees to see Aunt Rebecca and the Telfords. There we spent the day with them, before we returned to have a walk to Cleator to see Harry and Ida. Back in Castle Craft, we had supper and Margaret and I played shuttle cock before we hit the hay."

Brotherly and Family Love

From Gwen's Letter, April 28, 1938:

"Darling,

I couldn't help thinking of you to-night at the Gleaner and M.Men banquet . . . That 'tall, dark & handsome' [young man] Max told you about is surely a sweet little brother. Of course, he's only about 6 foot 4, so I feel so much bigger than he is. I wish you could have seen him. He's been studying etiquette all week & he did right smart. He was a good sport about skipping the dance part of the evening so we went for a long ride to talk . . .

Telford Family a few years later (Lenny is far right on couch)

". . . He's a really swell kid, Jim, . . .I think he kind of likes you since he's so anxious for you to come home.

"To-morrow night he's going to the Granite High Girls' Dance, and he doesn't know what to wear or what to do. That all reminds me so much of so many girls' dances and all our good times.

". . . Lenny has already planned that he & his girl & you & I are going to the Old Mill. In fact, we four, he says, are just going to make up for all this lost time. He's so grown up, Jim, you just won't know him when you get home, but you'll be proud of him I know."

From Gwen's Letter, May 1, 1938:

"My Dearest Jim,

May first and eleven to go. Boy now we're really on the home stretch aren't we, honey, and I'm not one single bit sorry because I'm looking forward to seeing you so much.

".  . .The other night at the banquet I decided I'd let Lenny beat you at tennis for me because he tells me he's so good that all the girls are wild to have him teach them the game. Like me though, they'd probably learn faster if they'd get a teacher who wouldn't have to say 'Keep your eye on the ball.' Did you know that you was [sic] the secret of my failure because I couldn't get my eyes off you, my teacher, long enough to watch the ball? There I go feeding your ego and with all the other nourishment its probably getting I'll bet you'll burst with vanity huh?

The Wagstaff Family with Don (far left) and Cec (far right) next to Gwen

". . .You should have been here last Sunday and you'd surely have gotten a laugh out of Cec & Kay. Remember how Cec & Don used to burst in on us when we were saying goodnight--Well, Sunday Kay & Cec were in the front room reading the paper while I was in the kitchen writing you a letter. I got already then found I didn't have any ink, so I went in the dining room to get it and as I came through the door Kay jumped from a position on Cec's lap and in his arms to a very sedate paper-reading position. I guess she thinks I'm opposed to guys & girls about to be married sitting with their arms around each other, but anyway I surely had to laugh. She surely is grand though, Jim, I just can't wait until you meet her. I couldn't ask for any nicer sister-in-laws than I have & am to have. Kay is about my age too & I'll bet we could almost be like real sisters. Gee and how I've always wished for a real sister. When Cec leaves that will really leave our family small won't it. . .

". . .Darling, the more I think about it the more I think your idea to build an English house is a good idea. Then we could make it different from the usual American houses & you could still feel like you were in England, a little anyway, & I'd have my wish to know what England was like.

" . . .Now, honey, I've got to got to dinner. I love you always. . .

"So long Sweetheart,

XXXX  Gwen."

A Week in the Life of Elder Telford with Transfers, Tracting, and a New Companion

From Jim's Journal, Monday, April 11, 1938, So. Shields:

"This morning I was out to write to Gwen and then go over to Sunderland to see Pres. Oates. . ."

Tuesday, April 12, 1938, Sunderland:

"Pres. Oates woke us up and I had a shave and breakfast and he drove me into the town. I made the train to M'bro [Middlesbrough]. In M'bro I was met by the Elders . . .went to see about the hall for conference. Linthorpe Assembly Rooms . . . was booked. We then went to So. Bank for lunch . . .then went to the station to take a train for Sunderland and then on to So. Shields."

Wednesday, April 13, 1938, So. Shields:

". . .After breakfast I started to pack things to-gether preparing to go to So. Bank. I didn't know I had so much junk until I started this. Finally everything was in order and I went to say 'Au revoir' to Mrs. Burns and Sis. Fudge. And so to Sunderland. . .before going to M'bro to M.I.A. with the Elders. After we went to M'bro and So. Bank. . ."

Thursday, April 14, 1938, So. Bank:

"Elder Pennock and I went to the hall and town to do some shopping and go out to his grandmothers. . .After our lunch we went out tracting and over to see a Bro. Bland. We had tea there . . . At the lodge we found a transfer for Elder Palmer to go to Burmingland. So we started him packing. . ."

Friday, April 15, 1938, So. Bank:

"Today is hot cross bun day, and a legal holiday for everyone in the blinkin' country. So we lay in for awhile . . .then after we had shaved and eat [sic], we went and played a game of tennis and billiards. . .came home to write Pres. Brown, and go to bed. Another day."

Saturday, April 16, 1938, So. Bank:

"After our usual routine duties this morning, Elder Palmer and I were away to a train, after calling at the police station and post office . . . arrived in Sunderland to go to the game. Pres. Oates and I had a rare old time of it, boxing and scuffing about. We saw Leeds and Sunderland fight to a no-score tie and then went to tea . . . had a flat tire. We fixed it and then went home to change it over. . ."

Sunday, April 17, 1938, Sunderland:

"Out and shaved. We worked on the car for a while then had our breakfast, and saw Elder Palmer away. At noon we were on our way to Newcastle to meet Bro. Wappett,and call on Bro. Finaly. And finally on our way to Carlisle over the Roman road to Sis. Wallace's for tea, and then to the Branch Conference. We, Kearl, Dunn, Weston, Oates and I, spoke and then had friendly chats with all the folk . . . We drove thru Hexham, and to Sunderland . . . Another day is done."

From Jim's Letter, April 25, 1938:

"[T]oward the end, [your letter] turned out to be questionnaire sent out to test my I.Q.
rating, you know something like we used to have in the study hall at Granite. So if they really meant something to you, here goes:

1. If you were to arrive here in Newcastle district, you would immediately become matronly Sister Wagstaff, to even me, your fiancee. . .

2. I have a companion now. J. Albert Pennock of Salt Lake. . . .

3. My double quartet floundered: no interest of the good people in So. Shields.

4. Still too cold to do any bathing in the ocean yet.

5. Bryson should make a fine S.E. in Wales if he learns one or two things before it's too late. He will be released in July.

6. My English sweetheart is fine and is old enough to come out to Salt Lake now. Should I bring her home with me?

7. I'm in So. Bank now, near M'bro, and from where I live we can see nothing by steel mills and smoke. Something like Magna over here. Smoke, dirt and slag mounds. . .

" . . . This week is our conference week. Thank heavens. Pres. Brown will be here on Saturday afternoon to marry a young couple in the hall at West Hartspool. That is how far the church has come in the last few years. It has not been so long ago that the Latter-day Saints were not allowed to perform marriage ceremonies. But, gee, there is a lot to be done even now. . . Latter-day Saints at home have lots to do as well to make themselves real Saints like there are here in this land. Back home we take all things too much for granted. Over here they cherish the church and value it very high. . ."