I'll Never Go To College So I Might As Well Give Up My Teacherly Ambitions

Omaha, Nebraska

August 28, 1936

Dear Marie,

We received your cards not long ago on the same day and were sure glad to hear from you.

I'm going up the Tech about Wednesday or Thursday of next week and change my program card to the Secretarial course. I've decided the Art course isn't the one for me and I'll never go to college so why take College Prep and get out of school and work in the dime store or domestic work? Thelma Gaspar's mother was over the Pregler's the other day and said it cost about $900 a year to send Thelma to school in addition to her scholarship. At that rate I'll never go to college so I might as well give up my teachably ambitions. If you have any objections to my changing my course as previously stated, please write soon and tell me. I'll have to drop Cooking and Sewing too I think because it will cost too much for Sewing.

Toby gave me a plaid dress recently and I cut it off and put some sleeves in it to form a blouse. I have finished it, and am now working on a white skirt which is nearly finished.

I have been downtown twice for Toby and I got this stationary. How do you like it as well as the monogramming? The letters are my own idea. By the way, I got 18 sheets of paper and 18 envelopes for 5 cents each.

When I was downtown, I got 2 pairs of knee hi socks, a big Nursery Thyme Book for Martin and a sort of a History like book for Betty as well as a pair of sun goggles for Marty.

Does this letter smell perfume? Pleas don't say "no" at the expense of my feelings, for I'm doing my darndest to make it smell like the perfume Toby gave me. 

What are you plans for this fall? Are you going to college, go to work, take a P.S. course at Tech or keeping working where you are.

I received a lettter from Ruth Erkman the other day as well as from Sara Jane and Virginia McMillan. I called up the latter today from Pregler's and she said she was in an automobile accident and had three teeth knocked out. She is going to have some false ones bridged in soon.

Pa got some new glasses a while ago on a discount three Murphy's at Columbia Optical Co. This discount is OK (20%) for all members of their family - I am going to get some new ones in about two months when pa pays for his ($4.50).

Love, Lottie

I have the best sister anyone ever had

Pierce St.

Omaha, Nebr.

Sept. 29, 1936

Dear Marie,

Thanks a million thanks two million for that dollar you sent me! I realize you had to work long and hard for that, I want you to know I appreciate it very much. I have the best sister anyone ever had and anyone I tell about you things I'm pretty darn lucky to have a sister like you.

I'm glad you're getting your teeth fixed. Did I tell you I have 12 fillings in my mouth? This dentist put in 11.

Well, you were wrong about your confidence in me, concerning Student Council. I was defeated. But, I don't think by very much because I asked several kids and all of them said I led in their home room except one. The vote in our H.R. was, Jean 10 - me 19. Not bad, eh?

I still have a chance, however, in Cogide. Alice doesn't want to, Grace is too busy, and Mary is on already.

I asked Miss Jelen and she was so glad to think you'd write to her. She wrote her address on "Silas Marner" and I left it in my locker. I'll write you a 1 cent post card tomorrow on the way home from school and send you her address. You'll probably get it the day after you get this.

Speaking of "Anthony Adverse", Mrs. Gearing said she knows a lady who read it in one day. That's no fib, either.

You know I was invited to Doris Richardson's wedding. I didn't go, mainly because I've never been to one and wouldn't know how to act. I think I'll wait until you get married, and then I can be maid-of-honor. I made a cute little note to send to Doris and it just took Mrs. Gearing's breath away, so she said. It was all decorated with wedding bells and spring flowers with some swell printing in black ink.

Enid Jorgensen invited me out for Sunday dinner but I didn't go because I decided to stay home. I'm sure glad I didn't go because it so happened that the lady she works for died Saturday night.

I don't know if I'll go to camp Oct. 10 or not. They said we have to bring Saturday's lunch and the price is still 60 cents. Tech has to furnish the eats for Saturday night's party, so all we get out of the 60 cents is our dinner and bed. Do you think its worth it? If I go, it will be only because I want to wear my new brown knickers.

I think I'll get a "1" in all of my classes except type. If Rye feels good, she may give me a "4", otherwise I'll get a "5" sure.

I saw Ruth Pfleager tonight, coming home from school. She was going home from work as a steno.

Well, I guess I'll close now, hoping to hear from you soon. Bring all your letters when you come next time.

Love,

"L"

Friday Photo: Anton Paulsen

M Anton Paulsen, Denmark

(born ? - died 1936)

Lars Jensen's step-father

I was the only one in my English class to get a "1"

Omaha, Nebraska

Sept. 22, 1936

Dear Marie,

I suppose you're rather surprised to hear from me now, since you just got one of my letters. You see, I just felt like writing, so I thought I'd write to you.

I went down to the "Y" last night for a fashion show put on my Brandies French Room. They really should call that department the economy section, for they had a lot of dresses reasonably prices at $95. Refreshments were served free. Beth (Campbell, Camel) played three numbers on the violin. She looked very nice in a streaming red formal.

I saw Virginia Koopman, and you ought to hear her apologize for neglecting her correspondences so long. She promised to write me one of these days and she even got some new stationary for the occasion. She said that her cousin had rented a cabin right next to yours in Minnesota. In describing you to her (she, he) said, "Her last name was Jensen, she had blonde hair, and looked and acted just like a boy." Was this cousin a girl or boy?

I also saw Ruth Eckman Harriett Wren and Johnson, Rhea Snyder, and Doris Smith. I think that's her name (the girl Erman runs aound with).

The presidents and vice presidents had a meeting in Main Library this morning to select nominees for Student Council. Jean Edwardson, and myself were chosen for the girls with Barbara Garrett acting as alternate in case Jean or I have poor grades or something. I really think Jean will get it because she is quite popular and peppy. She is that lame girl you know. Ben Miller, Thomas Janda, and Alvin Terry were selected from the boys. I know Thomas and Terry so I hope they don't get it, even if Alvin nominated me. I think Ben would be better.

Last night I walked home from school with Alvin Terry. I had more fun! You see, he is in love and you sure can tell it - in fact he's engaged - to some girl from North by the name of Betty Jensen. Honestly, I got the biggest kick hearing him rave about his girl friend. He even has given her an engagement ring and  paid cash for it - $21.50. She has even persuaded him to go to church and save his money, so it must be love. He raves about her like Lil does about Wayne.

By the way, I was the only one in my English class to get a "1" for the first two week's work. So there, now tell me my composition on Camp wasn't good!

Well, guess I'll close and hope you don't mind two letters in a row cause if you're any relation to me you wouldn't mind any number of letters in a row.

Love,

Lottie

P.S. Sara Kolnick says, Hello. She sold 7 tons of cool yesterday.

If you want to go to college...

2507 Pierce St.

Omaha, Neb.

Sept. 20, 1936

Dear Marie,

I'm duly honoring you by sending the first letter I wrote on my new stationary to you. It sure is swell - a much better grade than my old stuff.

I just finished a letter to Jane Louise Dunkin, so it's pretty late now, but I just couldn't resist the temptation to try out this paper.

Miss Jelen says you were in the upper quarter of your class and out to apply for a scholarship. She said she didn't think you had to have taken the College Prep Course. I saw in the Tech News where Marion Wilke, Dick Percy and a bunch of others got scholarships. You were nearly as smart as Marion and you know it, so if you want to go to college, why in the Sam Hill don't you do something about it?

That was awfully nice of you to send me a piece of that cake you made, and I do appreciate it. I made some swell divinity tonight and I'll be so generous as to send you three pieces. Your cake tasted grand and I hope you think the candy tastes as well.

On second thought, I decided to send you eleven pieces instead, and even put some candied fruits in as well as some English walnuts and vanilla. That's more than we had in ours!

Mamma says for you to ask Garfield to please reconsider his verdict regarding the people upstairs. They are the noisiest bunch of hoodlums in seven counties, and take that from me! Mom took Garf's advice about taking a walk when then got too noisy and she even went up and sat in the bakckyard to get away from the din. The grasshoppers apparently, don't make as much noise. I wish, as does all concerned, that they would shove off.

Please consult Garf on the preceeding paragraph and answer accordingly.

I have, up to this time borrowed $3.90 from Betty to pay the dentist, etc. She is getting quite restless about the matter and I was wondering if you would loan me a little to pay her in part. If you do, I'll make it up to you doubly, sometime, in some way.

The dentist filled 11 cavities in my teeth and I had one so that makes 12. Talk about going to school, that guy went for 20 years and just graduated from Creighton last June. I paid him $7.50 altogether and I'm going back next Saturday for the last time to get the fillings polished off.

Have you heard from Elin since you sent her that little gift?

G'Bye

Lot -

Friday Photo: Lottie at 16

Lottie Jensen Johnson

1936, 16 years old

Omaha, Nebraska

Washed: 37 diapers (accurate count)

Omaha, Nebr

August 3, 1936

Dear Marie,

I just finished a letter to Sara Jane and Betty Nicholson. I received them a couple of days ago and I wanted to answer them myself before passing them on to you and you know it takes quite a bit of will power to write three letters after 9 P.M. I answered Dunkin's letter a couple of days ago.

Interruption - while I holler to mama to go get your letter so I can answer it.

Well, Marie, I'm getting along O.K. at Preglers. Oh, I'm not pretending to like the job of anything drastic like that. You know I'm just doing it for the money. Today's work is as follows:

Dressed Arvin

1. Made breakfast for the whole family

2. Washed dishes

3. Went over the floors with the dust mop

4. Ironed Art's skirt.

5. Made the large bed

6. Went over the floors with the vacum sweeper

7. Dusted the furniture

8. Washed the baby's bottles

9. Made lunch - set table etc.

10. Washed dishes.

11. Made some Jello for Dinner

12. Washed: 37 diapers (accurate count), 2 shirts, 2 gowns, 2 blankets, 1 pad, 2 pr Arwin's stockings and 1 pr. his underwear.

13. Made dinner (I do all the cooking.)

14. Started to wash dishes

15. Prepared a second dinner for some "Uncle Sam" and "Freddie" who Toby called up to come over and get dinner. Aren't they some relation to May?

16. Finished dishes

17. Took down diapers

18. Went home & wrote three letters

P.S. No exaggeration

You know May, Art's sister, Dottie and Millard went to California for a two weeks' visit. Before she left, they had a hired girl May didn't like very well because she was sort of a vamp. May was afraid she would snatch her husband or Freddie while she was away so she fired her and called up Toby to she if she could get ahold of you to work for her while she was in California. Now, I ask you Ladies and Gentlemen, where is the so-called unemployment?

I am (including, enclosing) Sara Jane's, Betty Nicholson's, and Jane Dunkin's letters. Please also find a picture of Sara Jane which she sent us. In her letter you'll notice she seems quite anxious that we come and visit her. Now really, when she asks us so politely, we should honor her by our presense at her household some time in the near future. I wrote and told her you would "figer" things out so we can come and visit her. You will, won't you?

I am directly insulted!! Reading over your letter to answer it I find you asked about Betty's finger and you didn't ask about my hands!! I have the sum total of 8 cuts on my hands. One of them is just where it makes it inconvenient to write. I received five of the cuts while opening a can of Crosco this morning (The Crisco can wrapper is full of blood) the other three being contracted over a period of nearly a week washing dishes.

I made a great big Chocolate Mocha cake at Pregler's last Saturday. It was very good and they thought so too. Last Thursday I made 2 lemon pies. They were pretty good too.

By the way, I threw up at Pregler's last Friday (I ate some spoild cantaloupe for breakfast)

Betty  keeps Martin nice and clean. I bring them something every night.

Toby gave me a dress the other day and said she had promised it to you but being I was working there now she would give it to me. And did I tell her!! I made it clearly undrstood that she couldn't give anything to me that had been promised to you and told her that the dress rightfully belonged to you. I then went on to say that I would write and tell you of what you had fallen heir to. (You have never seen the dress). It is a white silk backless thing with peach colored straps. Of course I'll keep the dress, but I just said that so she wouldn't think she was giving me anything.

Well, Marie, I really must close for it is exactly 20 minutes after 11 and I must get to bed. Please excuse the scribbly writing but you can't expct much else at this time of the night. I'm writing with my knees propped up in bed.

Love, Lottie.

"You have eleven cousins in denmark"

Aalborg d. 13 maj 1968.

Dear cousin Charlotte,

When your letter come to my mothers and your aunt: Paula Paulsen (married Pedersen), I phoned to my and your uncle: Holger Paulsen, who lives in Copenhagen. He has five children, four living in copenhagen and the youngest girl married in Germany. My mother (70 years old she 10 may 1968) has six children, four here in Alborg and I have a brother and a sister in copenhagen. As you see, you have eleven cousins in denmark. Your and mine uncle: Marinus Paulsen is died 1964 in Aarhus 4 july (danish, english day in Rebild park.). My mother is born 1898, Holger in 1900, and Marinus 1895. My father: Jens Christian Predelund Pedersen died in 1936. We say thanks for your letters, and we could like to show you, your sister and her husband several places in Alborg and Sonder Trander where you father live in his time from he was born to he immigrated to U.S.A.

My mother and my uncle has several times told me about yourfather, and my uncle has three times tired to find him, but he couldnt.

You tried to find your fathers two brothers and one sister in your letters of 8. may, and we got your letter to-day the 13. may. from the postoffice, and your uncle Holger get his letter from you to-morrow the 14-5-68 morning.

We hope you can come to aalborg sunday the 30th june as soon as you can from germany, and we will meet you in the air port or the railway-station, and you can stay with me, and Holger will come to Alborg and together with my mother show you the several places.

Monday 1, july we will take with you to copenhagen, where you can meet your tour group in kastrop airport at 2.25 afternoon.

We could all like to come in tivoli parken this afternoon, and my uncle holger live and my uncle holger live ten minutes by car from Kastrup airport.

Maybe it is earlier to take the railway from germany to aalborg, but please write a letter more to me about your last plane in germany and the time, you can take the trip to aalborg.

We shall see your grandmother - and grandfathers grave, in aalborg, your fathers home and school in Sonder Tranders, his first home as married in Denmarksgade 64, and the next home in Nyhavnsgade 4 in Alborg.

I have no time to more, but I will write again after a few.

Alborg Denmark.

Privat: Christian Pedersen

Hojbovangen No. 9

9200 Skalborg

Denmark

Tiny

Another tiny note amongst the many papers...including tiny measurements

Skirt Measurements

Waist 11 3/4 in

Hips 18 1/2 in

at zipper ending

Length 24 1/2

Lottie 1936 or 1937