Concord, NC
July 4th, 1941

Dear Mavis,

Your letter arrived yesterday. After reading the first page, I said, "Well Dulcie, it has happened". She says, "Oh, is Mavis married?". I was not surprised at all for we have been reading between the lines. I was hardly expecting it so soon. Really I think you should have taken more time to consider such an important subject. We have no objections to Rural (sic) or to you marrying him, but we do object to your living so far away. Don't go ahead with any building plans until you come home. Bring Rural (sic) to N.C. perhaps he will like it here. We can give you your part of either the Shoe place or Winecoff place and sell you the rest of it cheap, or we can give you a lot on this place to build a home. We cannot work the land and none of the boys will ever farm.

There is just lots of land around here to rent. Pearson would like to rent his land. I think it is so much better to have a small tract of land and own it, than to have a whole lot and never get any of it paid for. I think the Shoe place could be made a fine place for a home and it is fine land if worked right.  You see we worked so hard and bought our land and now there is no one to work it, and probably will pass into someone's hands who will not care for it. I would like to see that you have it and live on it. You will never be happy so far from your own people, Aunt Lole has not been happy and she has regretted her choice. We have looked forward to having you near us as we grow older and it is such a disappointment. Life is more glorious when we can be near our loved ones. There is a joy in achievement if our loved ones can share it with us. If you build a new home it would not give you much of a thrill if none of your family would ever see it. If you get a loan you probably could never pay for it, and you would lose it. You know the interest soon mounts up. I don't think you will be happy with a man who is always rushing from one thing to another, who gets up so early, and there will never be any let-up, for the farm work must go on, and there will never be any money for it will all go to pay the creditors, upkeep of machinery, hands. You will be harassed to distraction at bills that must be paid, and often nothing to pay with.

One crop failure and you would lose everything. Better think about all this now, before it is too late. If he really loves you and wants to make you happy he will come here to live. He could bring his family for there is plenty of work here; his sister could teach school in N.C. as well as out there. They have not lived where they are so long that they have become attached to the place. I think you have taken it too matter-of-factly. I am not convinced that you love him. In fact I don't believe you are convinced yourself. Better be sure, its a long,long trail. He may be a fine man and yet have some faults or habits that would drive you crazy. There is such a difference in education, and remember you have known him such a little while and always at his best.

Mavis I just can't stand for you to be hurt. You have always been so fine and good. Your ideals have been the highest. I want you to be happy above everything else, but I know you will not be after the excitement of getting married is over and you settle down. A loneliness will come over you so far away. You won't like it among so many negroes. There is just no use in resigning yourself to such a life. We only live this life once and I think we should make conditions as livable as possible. You can make as good a living here as there, possibly better, and the climate is better. We absolutely will not give up for you to live out there when we know it will only bring you unhappiness. After all, you do owe us a little consideration. I felt today like giving up and not doing anything. It all seems so futile. I have been looking forward to having you nearer and life seems suddenly to have lost its zest.

I worked so hard the week before Elwyn came and then the week he was here. I thought this week I would have a breathing spell, but there was apples to can and cucumbers and it has rained and my garden got grassy. Buren was off three days so Dulcie is home and did the washing and ironing. He brought Jerry over and was here for dinner. I canned 12 jars of beans for him.

Wednesday. Victoria was off today. Everything was closed today. Buren finally got his license to do electrical wiring. Muriel is taking her vacation this and next week. She took Jo to Dr. and he said her tonsils did not need to be taken out, but sent her to hospital for observation. They took some X-ray pictures yesterday but I haven't heard the results. Will write you soon as I find out. Muriel and Mac were out here yesterday evening, but I expect Mac took on too much July 4th celebration and was in no condition to drive. Muriel has enough to run her crazy. When Harding read your letter he says "I'll swear". Papa says "Well you never can tell which is best." Howard hasn't been over since we read the letter. Buren didn't say much. I think it best not to announce it just yet. Something might happen and it would be better if the public didn't hear it. I think if I were you I would not set the date so soon. I hope you can get married in the Church, without any attendants, just a simple ceremony.

I had a card from Elwyn saying they had arrived safely and Delores didn't get sick on the trip back. Elwyn said he had such a good time while here that he dreaded to get back to work.

The Bradford reunion is next Thursday. I suppose we will go, but I am not caring much. We are so busy. Dulcie will be over at Burens and Harding will work. Perhaps Muriel will go if Jo doesn't have an operation. It is raining and a good time to sleep so I'll stop and get to bed. Write soon.

Love, Mother