Letters to Edward Ogden from Friends in France
Note: the abbreviation "Y" means Yvonne, "Y1" means Yvonne's first letter, etc. "E" means Edward.
Polly Ogden and friend Hattie made the translation and transcription of the letters themselves. B.G. made the transcription from theirs to this one.
1/24/95
To all interested parties from me, Polly. . .
This turned out to be a much bigger job than I thought it would be. Hattie and I spent quite a bit of time in the evening and considerable more the next morning. I very quickly realized that a word-for-word translation was way too time consuming. Hattie was interested and very helpful but time was limited. So we sort of hit the highlights, and skimped as it get later and later. I don't know what will be done with these. It would be wonderful to have a word-for-word translation, but we either have to pay a lot or find a friend with time in the hands. I think we have the sense of the letters but one shouldn't count on specifics.
Yvonne (no last name)
Y1: Letter dated March 31, 1919, from Bordeaux: Yvonne has changed her address in Bordeaux. E. has gone to Tours. She asks if Tours has changed him. Has he met someone? She hopes not.
Y2: Letter postmarked (?) May 15, and we deduced the year to be 1919, from Bordeaux. The envelope is addressed to Edward in Tours. (There is an envelope.) Salutation is "My dear brother and good friend Edward." E. promised to get leave to come. Please do. Sorry E. was sick. E. already wrote or will write Y.'s mother. "Thank you for advice on Germaine." Y. calls herself N.'s little sister. Something about jealousy. Since Y. evidently has no other brother to be jealous of, E. shouldn't be jealous. Thanks E. for his friendship.
GENERAL COMMENTS--Hattie feels this was probably an adolescent crush rather than an affair. No indication of whether the Germaine mentioned is the the author of these letters.
Jewel (no last name) Substantial parts of J.'s letters are in English.
J1: Letter dated May 29-31, year not stipulated, from Paris (St. Cloud): Salutation is "My Ned Dearest." "At last news from my naughty brother, but I am kind, I pardon you, though I am very angry. I will forgive you completely when you come next time. Oh, I shall be so pleased to see you! -- when you come it will do 6 months (oh), - it is a shame. Telephone me as soon as you will be in Paris - no matter the hour. It is a good idea to go to London. You will know England. You already know Italy and France. I think you speak French fluently now - but I did not see yet your [progess].
"Please send me as soon as you wish your picture (French passage) [immidiately]. The story of Sophie is funny but I am not astonished--she is an old maid, (and I shall like her, when I am an old maid) don't you think so?
"As soon as Gaston will be demobilized he will go to America but he will not be demobilized very soon; [perhaps] 6 months but I think [not] before a year, he is so young! (French passage)
"We will have a new automobile for the end of July, , (French). We will go probably 2 or 3 months at he sea-side. (French passage)
"I believe you are serious--it is not because you flirt with young ladies or else you are not--it is of your age. You are young--you are right--you are a boy--you are not married--it is natural.
"There was last week a important match of tennis only between americans. The club where it was played is in the park of St. Cloud and we are members of the club. I think you did not know because you would have come to play. (French passage). . . Don't forget your picture--write to me soon.
"Believe me to be, Ned dear, yours affectionately, Jewel
"P.S. Did you receive my card of the lily of the valley. I sent it to you for the 1st of May."
J2. Letter dated June 6 which likely follows one above: "My brother Dearest--What an agreeable surprise I had some days ago when I received your charming picture. (French interlude) we are all very glad to receive it and particularly myself. I am full of joy--but you have forgotten or did you do it with purpose--you did not put a dedicace.
I thank you with all my heart first because it is yourself and big enough in order I can admire you as much as I wish. And it is really a lovely souvenir--
What a bore! All the workmen's strikes. All our workmen of my father are striked and it is a great tediousness--almost everybody. (French passage to the end)
J3. Letter dated "The 12th of December"
Note at the top of the first page: "Many thanks for the photos. I have not your post-card form Poitiers--
"Brother dearest, Yesterday was a lovely day; 3 letters from my Ned dear, altogether it is funny is not it? One from the 3th of December, one other from the 6th of D. and my Mother's letter. I have read it, of course, you know she does not know English; I have translated all the letter, except the last part of the second page--you know why. Yes, it is the custom in France, too. I am the interpreter from my mother to thank you for your charming letter, it is a great, great pleasure for her and my father to have received a lovely gentleman like you. These 2 days were nicely for everybody. Gaston came back to Angouleme but he made his trip during the night--he is not come back yet but I hope soon.
Oh! I am very very sorry that you are punished--poor I pity you. I am more than sorry than is my fault--though I don't regret the wonderful time passed with you dearest--and I forgive you, before I had forgived you.
"No, don't believe that I the charity feast ,many men went--no, some only and very very old--don't be jealous--and they were not so generous as you tell me.
"My mother has believed you for the funny story of her letter. I will believe you all the time now. I told you 'I don't believe you'--it was to tease you--you don't, yet I am very naughty. I am very angry. You promised me your photo and you did not send it--if you will not send it very soon, I should think you shall be like the Germans--you have missed at you speech--is a shame for an officer--
"I am in a great hurry this morning, today is my theater day. You don't know probably that I go every fortnight Thursday afternoon to the 'Comedie Francais' is the academy of the French language--it gives classic chiefly and modern sometimes. I have a subscription.
"The day after tomorrow I shall go see your president. I shall have the great pleasure to see him but I prefer, without doubt, you will come and I see you. Come, come, dear, my dear. I want to see you--and don't forget your photo.
Much love in which my parents join. Your darling "sweet sixteen: J
My heart tell me--Ned come, come, come and like that all the time...
J4. Undated letter but it is Christmas time. (see below). The last paragraph of the letter is actually written on the edges of the first and second pages of the letter.
My brother Dearest--Christmas time! not yet but very soon--Christmas, every year, is very merry and happy for me but not completely this year because my Ned will not be there. Christmas in France is not as happy as it is in America but we will go to friends for Christmas night--we will go to night-mess (Mass?) and to supper--to play music and to sing and every things like that. Do you remember that I did not want to play the piano before you. Oh I hope you are not angry, but I cannot play before anybody. I hope you escuse , for I am very bashful.
If you will be able to come for Christmas-eve- I don't dare hope. I am too unreasonable, you have come a week ago- and I know and I try to understand that. (French passage) I went to my friend to bring her the "bavair" (?) do you remember? for her lovely son who was born a month ago--dear little thing! Oh I am fond of children. I sent you your pair of gloves which were found by my father in the motor-car. I washed it myself and I sew it. I hope it arrives now. Do you remember the photos that you and I have taken the first time you have gone they are completely black it was not clear enough but I hope the last they will be better.
(Then the note written in the margins.)
Don't forget your picture and these you have taken the other day--myself in American officer and I have forgotten to ask you. Do you remember you have taken myself alone (?) in the Garden of Vichy. If you have one send me please. Good amusements for Christmas. I know that you will enjoy yourself very much, I am very glad for you if you have a little while during this happy time think at a sister (. .?. .) has a truly friendship for a brother who is the loviest in the world. You affectionate sister, Jewl--write to me often and so on--Jewl"
GENERAL COMMENTS. I wonder if the year for the two letters written in December isn't 1918, and 1919 for the May and June letters. Since there is talk of demobilization, a new car, trip to the seaside, etc., the latter must have been the armistice. But Dad left France before Christmas of 1919, so the Christmas letters were 1918, though they could have been 1917. The French in the letters is good and evidently J. was well-to-do and cultured. Hattie says these are not love letters. I have had to do some interpretation of punctuation, particularly dashes. I have made a few corrections but mostly left errors as written.
Lulu (no last name)
L1: "My address for i month 'Monrepos' Fronsei??? Gironde," dated 18/9_18- at end of letter (probably Sept. 18, 1918)
Dear lieut. and friend--L. complains that he hasn't written and it is 4 days after her departure from Vichy. Photographs. Demands of friendship. Theme of time for L. "So you are going back to Italy." Mentions Bordeaux. Will write in English if her French is difficult. Wants some news fast. Calls E. wicked and lazy."
L2: Letter addressed from 91 Rue de Riviere, Bordeaux, dated (at end of letter) "30 Nov. 18"
Dear Lieut. and ami--"Are you still in Italy celebrating victory?" Two American friends have left France. "I think of happy moments I have spent with you four months ago. L's brother married recently and left for the front. His wife was ill but has gotten better (which is why L. hasn't written). Americans are numerous [in Bordeaux] and evidently disembarking, doors of your friend from Vichy will be open to you." Celebrating Armistice. Thanks E. for two long interesting letters from Italy. Imagines trip in airplane with E. Finds American mail slower than French mail.
L. postcard: From same address as above. No addressee. "Why haven't you written?"
GENERAL COMMENTS. Again, these don't sound intimate. Friendship
Germaine. No last name.
G1: Letter is dated 20 September 1919.
"Dear Good Old Ned, Hello good old Ned, how are you today" (This much in English.)
I guess we missed this one. It is signed--in English. "Good bye my little butterfly. Good night, sleep well, Dear good old Ned. Your affectionate sister"
M. Polache. Address CAFE DU LION D'OR__L. Polache--LA CRECHE__(DEUX-SEVRES), dated ?????? the 16/1918
P1: "Dear Mr. Edward. . ." Charlotte, her daughter, insisted upon adding to letter.
GENERAL COMMENT: Probably a family he stayed with. Husband's name probably began with L.
Gabriel Batellier. (last name obtained from back of picture)
G1: Dated Angers 12/1/19 -- i.e., January 12, 1919
"My Dearest..." Waited in vain for telegram. No longer believes in E.'s sincerity. Signed "My dearest--I love you with all my Heart and soul for ever--Your little Gaby"
G2: Dated Angers 22/1/19 -- i.e., January 22, 1919
"My Dear Edourd" Still no word. "I caught cold Saturday and Sunday when you left." "Did you have a good crossing?" "Only your letters can make me feel better." Chaperone feels that E's good wishes helped bring her husband back. Signed "I love you forever--your little girl from France--Gaby"
G3: Dated Angers 17/2/19 -- i.e., February 2, 1919
"My little boy" One brief sentence--something about the long silence every day. Signed "With love and lots of kisses--Your--Gaby"
G4: Dated Angers 20/3/19 -- i.e., March 20, 1919
"Little boy" "Four long days since you left and no word. I am sad a week is like an eternity!!" The chaperone will be gone to Paris and this interrupts their plan. "I also have a little sin to be pardoned." Arrangements to rendezvous in hotel St. Julien. Signed "With my love--your--Gaby"
G5: Addressed from Bell Jardinier ????? All in English
Dear--As it is the custom in France in the first of May to give to a very good friend a little bunch of lily of the valley, please accept this flower as a token of our sincere friendship.
"Hoping this will find you in the very best of health as it leaves me at present. I am sending you my best regards. Yours very sincerely--Gaby--30/4/19 (i.e., April 30, 1919) --Angiers"
GENERAL COMMENTS. Mistakes in the French. Not as high quality. These are love letters. Hattie and I think maybe the chaperone was a go-between.
Carina: (no last name)
C1. Dated 1st Sept., 1919, and it comes from Nantes.
"Ned my dear" C. got a secretary [or security--sec. in my notes] transfer from St. Nazaire to Nantes. C. didn't know the cities. She talks about the routine of military life. Would have liked to try it. Mentions the AEF <evidently the American Expeditionary Force, see second letter>. Remembers delicious moments spent with N. Covers photo with pictures. <I can't believe my notes on that last sentence.> "Bonsoir" <but no signature>.
COMMENT: C. sounds like a good friend but she also uses familiar address.
C2. Dated 8 October 1919
C. resents N. having left without saying goodbye and coldness of his letter. She talks about work. Mentions a collar pin she wanted to give him at Nantes, but N. didn't come. Sends two photos and keeps 2 to make sure she has some.
COMMENT: This is a 10-page letter written on special stationery. "ON ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE" AND THE LOGO OF THE AMERICAN YMCA. At the bottom of the sheets of paper is imprinted: TO THE WRITER: SAVE BY WRITING ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS PAPER. TO THE FOLKS AT HOME: SAVE FOOD, BUY LIBERTY BONDS AND WAS SAVINGS STAMPS.
C3. Dated 29 October 1919
"What has happened to your promises to write. . . How quickly you forgot me. . . Do you remember the beautiful days we spent together. . . You told me I shouldn't think of you like the others. You are the only one that I loved. The others think more of me than you do. I reproach you with your promises. I want to believe that you were sincere. If you no longer love me, why don't you retain your friendship? You know affection is important to me. . . I should try to forget you. I feel I lack dignity in giving you these proofs of my love." <mentions photos.> She is going to St. Nazaire for a couple of weeks. "I think a lot about you and regret it isn't my N. who is accompanying me. . . I would have a lot to say to you but I am not sure you are interested.
COMMENT: C. is not as forgiving as Gaby was. She is really sad and mad. C.'s French is good.