WhatFinger


Who among us would not rather have such a letter as that from our loved one in place of a Hallmark card or an internet cyber card?

Love Letter



Community Expressions Magazine The letter was in a box of old memorability we received from our kinfolk, Martha Harris Kilby. It is perfectly preserved on top quality, official stationary with an impressive letterhead and is dated April 13, 1942. The envelope is addressed to Mrs. T.W. Harris and stamped with the official embellishments of the Mayor of Columbus, Mississippi’s office.
Printed in all caps is CITY OF COLUMBUS. In the upper left corner is a black and white picture of a bearded man in period dress within an oval ink frame – and T.W. Harris, Mayor, scripted underneath. The contents of the letter make it clear that the Mayor and his wife have aged together gracefully without losing the ardor of romance. In the early 1900s, T.W. Harris built a home for his bride, Mary Ella Allbright, next to her family home in Columbus. It was in the Victorian style with wide porches on two sides and gingerbread trimmings. Miss Mayrella, as she was known to one and all, had all the energy and adventurous spirit in her family. None of her brothers and sisters ever married or left the family home. Her marriage to Thomas Harris brought one child, a daughter, Martha. Unlike her Mother who had fathoms of friends, and charm by the crate, little Martha had fizzy red hair and kept herself to herself. One day five year old Martha was playing with her dolls on the floor while two of her mother’s friends waited in the parlor. One of the ladies whispered, “She is not very p-r-e-t-t-y, is she?” Without looking up from her toys, Martha showed her own version of her Mother’s spunk by saying, “No, but she is very s-m-a-r-t.”

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On into her later years (she lived to be 103) Miss Mayrella loved to tell tales on herself. As a small child, I would visit her with my Grandfather and listen to her stories. One tale concerned the day she was running late and her Church Circle was due any moment. Knowing she did not have time for a bath, Miss Mayrella hurried into the bathroom, grabbed a can of powder and doused her underarms liberally. Feeling confident no one would be the wiser, Miss Mayrella began her hostess duties by taking purses and making sure everyone was comfortable. As she bustled around she noticed a strange squeak when she reached for anything, but was far too busy to think about it. While serving tea the squeak grew louder and she began having trouble lifting her arms. By the end of the meeting, the squeak had become a sucking sound that turned a few heads, but the ladies were too polite to comment. After her company left, Miss Mayrella rushed into the bathroom where she found Mayor Tom’s Fixodent tooth power, rather than her own talcum, right where she left it. Another favorite story involved the time her Packard broke down in front of Laws Drug Store. She was late for an engagement and looked around for a solution. She spotted the drug store delivery boy, John Maddox, sitting on his motor scooter. “John, John, will you give me a ride home? Take me quick, but whatever you do don’t pass in front of the Mayor’s office.” In long dress, hat and gloves, Miss Mayrella clung to John with one hand and held down her hat with the other. Off they zoomed in a puff of smoke. Naturally John took them through the middle of town and made a beeline for the Mayor’s office where he gunned the motor and honked the horn for all it was worth. Mayor Tom said he was sure every single person they knew was standing on Main Street when she roared by because they all told him about it at least once. And last but not least Miss Mayrella once again found herself running late. Her bridge club was meeting at her house and she had no time to change or freshen up. With great care she checked and double checked the can to be sure it was talcum, before pouring half of the powder down the neckline of her dress. The ladies were all seated around the table and a spirited game of bridge began. When someone trumped her ace, Miss Mayrella slapped her breast and cried, “Oh my.” As if shot from a cannon, a cloud of powder burst upwards, coating her face, showering the cards and dusting the other players. Perhaps, these tidbits will give a picture of the lady who received the following letter from her husband:
“My precious old time Bride. It is a most happy privilege that I extend my heartiest congratulations with oceans and oceans of love on this April 13, 1942. With the doctrine that we both adhere to, it was foreordained and predestined in the beginning that you should be mine. It has been with and through you that you have made my joys and happiness exceeding great and I rejoice that Providence has spared you all these years to linger around me. Even though you are not as strong as in the years gone by, still it has not lessened my love and devotion for you. I hope you may be spared many, many more years to enjoy many, many more birthdays with continued faith and confidence in each other. Devotedly, Thomas.”
Who among us would not rather have such a letter as that from our loved one in place of a Hallmark card or an internet cyber card?


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Anne Burkart -- Bio and Archives

<em>Anne Burkart is a Mississippi journalist and playwright.<em>


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