Baptisms. . .and "Lady Gwendolyn"

From Jim's letter, July 25, 1938, London, W.C.I.:

"My Only Sweetheart,

My word can you really and truly believe that it has been better than eighteen months since we said 'Good-bye' in the rail way station, and that it will only be seven more until we say 'Hello' in the same station. Truly Gwen the months are slipping away very rapidly, and it will be over so soon we will hardly know how to react to every thing. And now as the time grows shorter and shorter, I only tell you the truth when I say, I will be glad to be home again. Once I had in my mind an idea that I would like to stay over for awhile, but I think now I shall be quite ready to come home, on one condition of course. That is: You and I and our future. Lately I have been able to realize all over again, my darling, how much I really do care, and how much you mean to me. Purely and simply Gwen, I love you ever so much and I do anticipate and look forward to our being married.

". . .Today is a real beautiful English summer day, and from my window I can look out to and over the lovely green fields to where new mown hay lies in mounds ready to be taken and stored for future use. The farmers are really making hay while the sun shines over here, . . .

". . .Today, according to my calendar, is a real holiday out there in Zion. There will be a parade, a rodeo and a pageant of splendour that will be pleasing to the eye in a big way. But we over here will see none of that. Rather our work goes on in some manner of visits and a meeting and some form of study. You are having a holiday, and while we won't see it together from the window of Smots office, I am quite sure you will see it. Ninety-one years Salt Lake City has stood. Tell me something of what took place and how you spent the twenty-fourth.

"Last Wednesday evening we held our second baptismal service since I came into the district. There were only two candidates this time, a young man and woman from Shields and London. And at their request, I had the privilege and opportunity of taking them down into the waters of baptism. Elder Kearl and Elder Howard confirmed them. The young man was certainly thrilled and happy and so was the young lady. I certainly have been fortunate on my mission to have this, and they're fine opportunities. And if I can only have the privilege of performing a marriage ceremony, I'll certainly be satisfied, I should.

". . .darling, I want you to know that I appreciate your going in to see Mother and Dad. They certainly enjoy your visits and Gwen, they love you as their own. So you see that my own people look for our marriage as much as I do.

"Sir James" in quite the regal sweater

"You know Gwen, over here in England they have some rare and quaint ideas. Probably some of the quaintest in the world. And one of those is their manner of bestowing a title upon some man of renown. In a manner of speaking, I feel very much at home here, for somewhere in my life I gained a 'Sir James' that has hung on. Even over here they fasten it on some times. But each one of these 'Sirs' have to have a lady, and so from now on, 'Thou shalt be known as Lady Gwendolyn.' A royal title for a royal miss. But perhaps I should ask you, 'Will you be my lady?'

"After meeting last night we called on a fine lady out in Harton, and her son and [his] wife. So in the course of the evenings conversation, we drifted to marriage. The young lady is very happy in her married life, and even said she would do it again, if it were to the same man. (I hope you can say as much about me.) And she said it would be wonderful if they could go to the church every five years to have the service performed again. I could not help but think of your suggestion. For they do not have the privilege the same as we do. That of working for someone less fortunate than we, in the temples. In this work we can have what this girl would like to have. the service performed again.

". . .Now I must close and write to the folks. They still have to hear from me too. . .So here is my love to and for you.

All of it.

Sincerely, Your Sweetheart,

Jim"

Anniversaries and Holidays without Jim

From Gwen's letter, June 19, 1938:

"Dearest Jim,
. . .Kid, you're so darn thoughtful. I could just cry I'm so happy to think that even as busy as I know you are you'd think to send those roses for June 19th. Your father brought them down to me before Sunday School and he gave me a very impressive and extravagant presentation address and then turned around and asked me what June 19th was besides Father's Day. Darling, you're grand to think of such things and I don't believe there are many men like you who remember anniversaries so well. You make anniversaries very nice occasions even when we can't be to-gether to celebrate them, but Sweetheart, next year, if luck is with us, we'll make up for two years of being apart won't we. Thanks so much for those grand roses. They're just beautiful."

From Gwen's letter, 4:30 A.M., July 4, 1938:

Gwen with friends "up the canyon."

"Sweetheart,

This is the first time I've written you a letter while dawn was just stealing in and while the birds were just waking up to start a noisy chatter all about their early household duties, and do you know it's wonderful at 4:00 in the morning- -I mean after you once drag yourself out and get props in your eyes. This morning I'm waiting for Berdine, May and Lee and their folks. We're going up the canyon for breakfast.

Gwen's mother (Vere) with Cec as a child

". . .Mother has been sick in bed for quite a while with the flu and Dad has been getting liver shots in his arm everyday. The doctor said he was dangerously anemic so between all of us this is a good hospital. Every night we doctor mother all up with hot foot baths and drinks and alcohol rubs and etc. I'm really learning a few things about cooking anyway. Dad and I have a riot with things which must be thickened because I invariably get too much thickening so he stands by with the milk to thin it so first I thicken then he thins then I thicken some more and so on and so on and on into the night. Usually we end up by having three times as much as we need but we have fun just the same.

". . .Jim, dear, let's do set June 19, 1939 as 'the' day providing neither of us changes and then let's just make it all work out right so our dreams will be realized.

". . .Do you know we have word from the great fashion center, Paris, that skirts are shorter this year, but I noticed your skirt in your most recent picture to me was considerably shorter than the average. You surely look like a healthy, happy Scot and what tartan does your family go by? I might suggest that your most modern hat was a bit extreme in the eyes of a conservative Westerner and your socks were rolled a little too far below the knees, but your smile was a charming beam which held your admirer spell bound. [see picture in 3/30/12 post]

". . .Yesterday, July 4th, Berdine and I had a good time talking and reminiscing in the canyon. Last night we went to-gether to see Marco Polo with Gary Cooper. . .These tall fellows who take the leads always remind me so much of you that I really live the picture.

". . . Cec and Kay said to tell you thanks so much for that lovely card. That was so nice of you to remember them. I'm sure they'll have smooth sailing because they're so much alike and they seem to have the same ideals and desires. Your mother told me once she thought you and I were a lot alike so I think we'll get along beautifully, don't you? I believe too that we're similar because we really do like the same things don't we.

". . .Well, darling, I've got to climb in now because I'm minus about ten hours sleep.
Days are going fast and they can't go too fast for me because my love for you is growing until it's becoming unmanageable.

"Your sweetheart sincerely,

Gwen"

A Letter from Home--with thoughts on Gwen

From a letter to Jim from his dad (Robert Telford), June 12, 1938:


"My Dear Son,

Robert Telford with Jim as a baby

 It's Sunday morning and I thought I had better write you before I get too tired. . . Two weeks ago I got quite a cold and while I have worked my five days a week I have had to go to bed as soon as I got home.

". . . I notice you are expecting a transfer soon. While you may not welcome it at the moment, I think it would be a fine thing for you. You have made many friends where you are and of course you have come to rely on all your friends and feel a sense of security among them. I think now that a change to conditions and places, where you will have to exercise initiative and assert yourself to make new friends and new plans, will greatly aid in your powers of self reliance and in complete development. So if you are transferred to another locality, be assured that it is for your ultimate good.

"Gwen has just come in. I think she has been to Sunday School. Mom and her are sitting chatting while I am writing these lines. For appearance and personality I see none who can beat her. Whatever she wears she looks like a million dollars. Her conduct and her personality suggest at once a real lady.

"Did you get to St. Bees[?] If you did how are all the folks there[?] I hope that you had time to visit all of them. They all want to see you. Tell me all about them when you write.

Robert Telford with Jim's brothers (Jack & Lenny)

"Working conditions keep getting worse. Three thousand men will be laid off at the Utah Copper in Bingham on the 16th. That is next Thursday. Mines and Smelters all around this western country are closing or are already closed down. Owners claim they have closed for thirty days. I think it will be longer. It seems to be a battle between capital and the government. . .

"I doubt whether you are going to keep out of war over there. It looks to me like it's only a matter of a few months or less until it breaks. I hope British statesmanship can find a way to avoid it. It seems doubtful.

"Well I must close. We are all fine and plugging along. Gwen and Berdine Jones have just left. Berdine played the piano and we all got around and sang. I do enjoy them coming in.

"Give my regards to all the folks over there and accept kindest thoughts for yourself. From yours affectionately,

Dad"

Memorial Day Bouquets and Souvenirs

From Gwen’s letter, May 30, 1938:

“Sweetheart,                                                                                                                     This is Memorial Day and the biggest memory I have is of you, so I’m going to write you a letter & in it I send a beautiful bouquet of roses. In the middle is a dark red one to tell you my love for you is as sincere and as deep as it always has been and always will be. Then there is a pure white rose to tell you my love for you is as pure and fresh as a white flower, a yellow rose in the blossoms means you are the sunshine I’m waiting for. There are also some forget-me-nots and orange blossoms. Put them altogether and you have a bouquet which says, Darling¸ I love you with all my heart and I need you here with me before I’ll be truly happy. . .

“.  .  . Your last letter was perfect, kid. I’ve read it over and over again and those handkerchiefs from Scotland were grand. Thanks so much. . . Now that I have so many handkerchiefs from England, Ireland, & Scotland, I believe I’ll start a collection of them. Don’t you think that would be fun?

One of the handkerchiefs Jim sent Gwen from Scotland

“. . . In answer to your question I say with all my heart, Jim dearest, I will marry you and now since your mission is almost complete the first of our dreams is fulfilled and the second one we planned was our marriage in the temple. Honey, that’s what I’ve been dreaming of ever since the first time you asked me.  . . Sweetheart, I never have gotten tired of hearing you propose. I love it and I’m only sorry you won’t keep on doing it after we’re married. . .

“. . . Kid, if I ever saw a giant in my life it was you standing by your aunt in Scotland. My goodness you looked like Goliath himself. My goodness, have you grown or is she just a small woman? Maybe I’ll retract that offer to beat you in a wrestling match when you come home. I’ll race you instead, huh?

“. . . I love you with all my heart and I hope I can be worthy of your sincere love.

Your  Sweetheart,

Gwen

May I send lots of XXXXOOOO.”