Prelude: This letter was written in 1936 by a man named Walt Shine who lived in Wellsville, NY to a Miss Francis Fairfield who lived in Hornell, NY. It is the first in a series of letters I have written to Miss Fairfield.

THE LETTER:

Dear Fran,

I know this is going to shock you but you know how it is when you want to get something off your chest.

Listen Fran, maybe you will think I am trying to give you the usual line but really I mean this. Bob and I had a great talk on the way home about you. We wouldn’t want you and bud to break up and we really wouldn’t try to get you to break up but you know how anxious I am to go out with you. I don’t like to tell you about this in correspondence – I would rather tell you personally.

Fran, it would mean so much to me if I could go with a girl like you. Your personality and respect. Really now please believe me.

Will you please give me a date when the time comes that you and Bud feel that you don’t want to go together anymore?

I have a heard so many good compliments about you that it really makes me feel jealous to see someone else with you.

I am going to get an application for you today and I will send it immediately after you send your application. Someday you had ought to come down and have a personal interview with Mr. Walchi. I am sure I’ll do all I can for you.

Fran, please keep this strictly confidential, will you?

Your letters are always welcomed here and if you ever write to me I am absolutely positive that no one will ever hear about it. Please don’t forget me Fran. I really mean what I have said. Please write sometime.

Sincerely,

Walt Shine

COMMENTARY:

Whoa! Walt really lays it on the line… Well, kind of. He tells Fran he wants to “Go with a girl like you,” and “Will you please give me a date.” It just sounds a little off to me. He does mention her personality and respect though, which is nice. He also makes an assumption that her and bud are eventually going to break up, which is really pretty gutsey to say. Then his offer to help her get a job is interesting too. It just seems a little sketchy to me. I’m not sure I like what I’m seeing of this Walt guy. I wonder what Fran thought when she got this letter? Well, she must have thought something because she saved it, and here it is. What do you think?

HISTORY:

Here is a link to Wellsville, NY and its history: http://www.wellsvilleny.com

Here is a link to Hornell, NY and its history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornell,_New_York