My first correspondence from a gentleman: 1974

8 April, 1974

Miss Ann A_____

206 Blaze, Dr.

San Antonio, Texas, 78218

Dear Ann:

I was very glad indeed to receive the kind letter that you wrote me when you were in N_____ & Company’s offices last Tuesday. I had a little trouble to understand one of the sentences you wrote: for example: 8tq7h40ikjh 000. But after studying hard, I came up with some nice things you said about me. I do hope I was not mistaken in the complimentary result at which I arrived. You see most people like to hear nice things about themselves; especially when they come from so charming a person as your self. I am no exception to the general rule. I could have preferred that you had come to my little room and talked with me. However beggars must not try to be choosers and if you will visit us again I shall rest entirely content.

How about something else. I have two little dogs; one is named Bullwinkle and we call him Bull for short. The other is named Mancha; that means “spot” in Spanish and we call him so because he has a beautiful black spot on his back, just ahead of his tail. Like people, each is different from the other. For example; Bull is very particular about what he eats, while Mancha will eat anything you give him. I believe some people are that way. Of the two, Bull is the smarter. He comes into my room every morning and finds me very comfortable in bed and hoping that I will not have to get up. But Bull will not have it so. He sticks his wet little black nose in my face and keeps doing that until I simply have to get up. When I do, he says: “now go on and get dressed and come to breakfast and give me a piece of your bacon.” That is just what I do.

I am not going to tell you to be a good girl; I am sure that you need no such admonition. If I use a few words that you do not understand very well, ask your nice mother. She knows much more about words than I do and makes me feel quite ashamed of myself.

Good bye, now; and come to see me soon.

Affectionately,

R N_______

• I was four years old; he was at least 80. He was my mother’s employer and her devoted friend until he died.