Letter from Betty Cannell to Jean Disbrow
Posted by: Erik M-H in Cannell, Lewis Dilley, Cooper, Elizabeth (» Cannell), Cooper, Jean (» Disbrow), Disbrow, Janneke Rachel, Disbrow, William Cook, IV, Interbay, Salem[10 October, 1933]
[Salem, Oregon]
Dearest Jean,
How proud you sound! If you knew how cocked up we are to be a nuncle and a naunt, you’d think we’d had the baby. I’m so glad she’s here and that everything’s all right. What does she look like, aside from being the most beautiful and marvellous infant in existence? If I remember, you were very red and unattractive for a long time after your arrival — is she? Now, maybe you’ll tell me what I can send! I’ve been chewing my fingernails out here, waiting to hear some kind of suggestions as to what the well-dressed baby will wear for months! What does she, or do you, need? Or would you rather I sent sillies? I’d love to, but I’d felt rather guilty when I knew how strapped we all were. You better say, or I’ll be sending her pantie dresses and bathing suits!
And now as to names. Lew is having fits for fear you will have named her before he gets his perfectly wonderful suggestion in. We couldn’t quite tell from Bill’s letter whether you had or not. He, Lew, thinks that the young lady should be named Betty Lou. Not because he’s conceited, oh, no, a far better reason than that. You see, he hopes to have a boat some day — made by Bill, of course, or at least designed by him — and wants to name it the Betty Lew, but he’s afraid that that would sound odd, naming a boat after ourselves, and so he wants a nice little niece to name it after. Complimentary to the niece, you see, and a grand name for both boat and niece. Don’t you think that’s a brilliant idea? Or are you naming her after her grandmothers? We had a letter from Mother just exploding because we were uncle and aunt, but never once commenting on the fact that she is a grandmother! Does she like the honor? And as for Grandma being a great — hevings!
Mother’s letter came to the school and so we told everyone and they were all so interested and pleased to know the lady was here and you were all right. You’d think they knew you — but then they do know your picture and have heard Mother and me talk about you a lot. You’ll have to bring her out here on a trip some day — sort of a second honeymoon or something like that. Just think what a lot of geography she’d learn! Are you going to hurry up and have a boy now to keep her company and teach her to be a good sport? They say that while you’re having ’em you might as well do the job up brown.
I’d like to talk about our dog and our cat, who are both very superior animals, even if the cat has gone off somewhere and may be lost, but in the face of a real live baby girls, I don’t spose I dare mention ’em. Anyway, they’re almost housebroke, and I bet she isn’t!
I hope you’re strong enough to write us soon, though we enjoyed the letter from Bill — first real one we’d ever had — and will tell us all about her. I’m so very glad for you, dear, and know she’ll be just the nicest baby ever. Let us hear all the things she does and looks like, and most of all, what you want for her.
Much love from Uncle Lewis and Aunt Betty!!
Betty