Ancient History

It is often amazing the stuff I find around the house as I still try to deal with Betty's death. The other day I found an old business file "box" which contained letters dating back to my high school and college days. Many of them were from gals I once dated or had Church contacts with through W.Va. Baptist Youth Fellowship days. This trove has traveled with us throughout the country, and Betty took care to see that it was preserved. Among the letters I found this gem, and thus the picture above. On the left is James (now Jim), and on the right is John. The letter was postmarked Huntington, W. Va. Dec. 8, 1930. We would have turned 6 in October and I suspect the picture was a birthday picture taken at Grandfather Taylor's. The outside indicates that the letter is to "James Ray and John Roy Taylor" from Saint Nicholas, North Pole. It reads:

Dear twins: For I take it that you must be for I think you were on my liast last year for some presents because one of you had been ill for some time before our dear Christmas time. At that time there were not so many fathers out of employment and our forces coould be more liberal but this year with so many papas and mamas not able to buy the presents wanted by their children we will have to divide up but will try to get as much as possible of what you want so you will not be disappointed. So be good boys and tell your older brothers and sisters to also be good and await my appearance with pleasure.

Yours lovingly,

Saint Nicholas

The letter was then signed inn pencil: Santa

The reference to illness was to James who contracted a form of Spinal Menengitis on Armistice Day just after turning 5 years old. He was blind for a number of weeks with sight finally returning in the right eye. He's been one-eyed since, but doesn't miss much. I surely don't remember this note, but do remember very clearly the depression years, and am thankful that out Father always had a steady income - not much, but steady.