Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family
Title
Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family
Creator
Bouman, Jon Anthony, 1873-1958
Identifier
WWP23113
Date
1921 October 16
Description
Letter from Jon Bouman to his family.
Source
Gift of William C. and Evelina Suhler
Subject
Germany--History--1918-1933
Correspondence
Berlin, Germany
Contributor
Rachel Dark
Denise Montgomery
Language
English
Provenance
Evelina Suhler is the granddaughter of Jon Anthony Bouman and inherited the family collection of his letters from the years of World War I. She and her husband gave the letters to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum in 2013.
Text
Sunday evening Oct. 16
1921
Dearest;-
It is now settled that I am to return to London; Mr. Collins wrote in his usual dry way that he had been expecting me “to walk in any day” for some time past. So our separation will soon be ended again. Now this is what I am going to do:
Leave Berlin next Thursday morning 8 a.m. arrive Flushing same evening; stop over a day at Middelburg and cross Friday night, arriving in London Saturday morning 10.20. This arrangement has several advantages: I shall telephone the office that I have arrived, same time in the afternoon, so they want me probably until Monday morning. Also, being Saturday, you can bring the bairns to Victoria Sta. in the motor to meet me, which will please both them and me. Tell the babe I have been wearing my spats, and am going to wear them in London too. I have become fearfully hotelly, only I haven’t been able to get my socks mended; I have a very disagreeable old chambermaid who told me she had never any time to do socks. Well, if she doesn’t want any money she can go without. Servants are very independent nowadays, even in Germany.
Today was again beautiful; in the afternoon I went to a suburb called Tegel, where there is a beautiful lake in the woods and I had my coffee at a place overlooking it. Being Sunday, there were a lot of people, all carrying colored leaves from the woods roundabout, which are in their autumn glory.
I see there have been considerable unemployment troubles in London. Trouble, trouble, everywhere. I am glad there is no trouble at home; at all events, I hope not. Of course Enderis is sorry I am going, but he quite appreciates my position.
All other news when we meet, before another week is out. I am looking forward to gathering you all to my capacious bosom; I am glad the summer is over because my summer suit is rather – ahem –
Well, bye bye until we meet. Don’t forget, Saturday 1020 am Victoria with the motor. I don’t suppose you would forget!!
Thine with all love
Jack.
1921
Dearest;-
It is now settled that I am to return to London; Mr. Collins wrote in his usual dry way that he had been expecting me “to walk in any day” for some time past. So our separation will soon be ended again. Now this is what I am going to do:
Leave Berlin next Thursday morning 8 a.m. arrive Flushing same evening; stop over a day at Middelburg and cross Friday night, arriving in London Saturday morning 10.20. This arrangement has several advantages: I shall telephone the office that I have arrived, same time in the afternoon, so they want me probably until Monday morning. Also, being Saturday, you can bring the bairns to Victoria Sta. in the motor to meet me, which will please both them and me. Tell the babe I have been wearing my spats, and am going to wear them in London too. I have become fearfully hotelly, only I haven’t been able to get my socks mended; I have a very disagreeable old chambermaid who told me she had never any time to do socks. Well, if she doesn’t want any money she can go without. Servants are very independent nowadays, even in Germany.
Today was again beautiful; in the afternoon I went to a suburb called Tegel, where there is a beautiful lake in the woods and I had my coffee at a place overlooking it. Being Sunday, there were a lot of people, all carrying colored leaves from the woods roundabout, which are in their autumn glory.
I see there have been considerable unemployment troubles in London. Trouble, trouble, everywhere. I am glad there is no trouble at home; at all events, I hope not. Of course Enderis is sorry I am going, but he quite appreciates my position.
All other news when we meet, before another week is out. I am looking forward to gathering you all to my capacious bosom; I am glad the summer is over because my summer suit is rather – ahem –
Well, bye bye until we meet. Don’t forget, Saturday 1020 am Victoria with the motor. I don’t suppose you would forget!!
Thine with all love
Jack.
Original Format
Letter
To
Bouman Family
Files
Collection
Citation
Bouman, Jon Anthony, 1873-1958, “Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family,” 1921 October 16, WWP23113, Jon Anthony Bouman Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.