As we just saw, the possibility of Walter and Margaret being two potential soulmates soon showed up in their expressions, first in their need to better know each other, then in their desire to be together, and finally in their concern in living together. We see all three in the encountering phase of their relationship as they slowly become of one mind.
(10/3 21) In English II we are studying Emerson’s essays. I just can’t understand how you could pass with a 98% grade in the subject which you mentioned, without at least studying from the text at one time before six weeks’ tests. You surely must have listened attentively. My ability doesn’t come up to your standard. If you could have gone to college, you would have gotten more out of it than I did.
(10/30 39) Margaret: why did I perhaps bother you and may ?? bore you with my thought. I know that you are busy and shall not ask you to spend too much of your time trying to follow me. Nevertheless I am going to dare to hope that you may wish to correct me if you see this [his understanding of freedom] in a better light and I shall even dare to hope that you will exchange meditations with me.
(10/30 39) Walter, I wish you didn’t live so far away too because it would be lots of fun to be with you. I would truly have enjoyed being with you up the Trail Ridge Road. I realize that you don’t know me very well, but if God wants you to know me better He will so arrange but, if not, He will hinder it. I want to be as clay in the Potter’s hands. Oh that He would mold me and make me after his will. Thank you for remembering me in prayer. It sustains me to have prayers uttered in my behalf. I can still feel that the prayers my father uttered for me while he was living are still being answered.
(11/6 45) Margaret; It is true that I do not know you very well, as you said: and you do not know me very well. I too would be pliable; so that He may mold me into a useful part of His great plan.… Margaret; as I go about my work each day I often ponder upon many things. I have often pondered upon what Love, Marriage and the Home really are.…God is love: I do not know exactly at this moment where this is found. But I do know that at all times God expressed Himself in service, kindness and in gentle consideration of His people. And so I think that all true love is so expressed. We thank God for our emotions, they are gifts from him. But we must also ask his help in controlling our expression of them. The emotions of a Christian, Guided by God’s true love: must surely be deeper, kinder, more considerate and more enduring than those that are not.
(11/6 48) Walter, I am so glad that you enjoy things that are spiritual and I truly thank you for wishing the gifts of His grace and peace to be mine. Those two gifts from God are better than anything that I know because they are really the greatest of riches. Now, I want God to grant you His peace and grace, which you may receive in Christ.
(11/11) Walter, I enjoy writing to you but I just wish that I could write better. I know that I should be an authority on letter writing but I certainly am a weak example of an English teacher’s letter writing.
(11/11 56) Margaret, I thank you for the verses you send and especially your prayers; I need them. They are like a helping hand in a rough mt. path. I remember that I took your hand, when we followed the little stream upon Cameron Pass thinking it might help you. But, it was I that stumbled and needed a helping hand as we came down.…If I had your permission and could make the necessary arrangements, “financial and arrangements to get the necessary work done”, I should like very much to visit with you in your house during the Christmas Vacation. I am not worthy of the privilege, yet I cannot restrain myself from asking it, if it can be made possible.
(11/18 58) You were bemoaning your letter writing, especially the example that you set as an English teacher. What you said may be true, for I do not know, my knowledge of English grammar and letter writing is very limited. But this I do know; that if we overlook the grammar part (you’ll have to do that with my letters), your letters contain messages of thot, wisdom and rich knowledge which you get from your daily contact with Him. I enjoy them so very much. There is so much encouragement in them.
(11/20 61) Walter, I am sorry that I have not been able to answer your letter sooner. There was one question which you asked which I was unable to answer until tonight. You asked about spending Christmas holidays with us in Clarissa. Well, I wrote home to find out if it was all right with the folks. You see, we have such a small home and a parish worker rooms at my brother’s place. I was afraid it would be so crowded that you maybe wouldn’t enjoy it and the folks would think it wise to have your room some other place. I received a letter this evening telling that I could invite you as the parish worker is not to be there during Christmas. Walter, I hope that you will be able to come and I hope you will enjoy your visit in Minnesota.
(11/25 68) Margaret I can stay in town very nicely. I would not want to be too much an inconvenience. I thank you for your effort and work in writing home just to find a place for me. Thank you again. I am sure I will enjoy my visit very much. I can almost visualize going to the wonderful “Julotta” service in the crisp Minnesota air. Perhaps you will sing then, or some time while I am there. I enjoy hearing you very much. I think that the first time I noticed Margaret Leaf in more than just a passing way, was when she sang one of our hymns, in church one Sunday morning. I’ve forgotten the name of the hymn but not the way you put your heart in it.
(12/5 79) Why I write to you these things I do not know, but there are not many with whom I can discuss these problems. I thank you for your patient and considerate understanding friendship. Please pray for me. I am convinced that if God will have me at all, it will be on my knees in humble submission to His will.
(12/9 92) One of my greatest desires is to someday hear the Messiah given. Please find out when it is to be given, at the place you mention. It may be that arrangement could be made so that I might hear it. If money was more plentiful, I would drive my car and it would be more easy to arrange. I should like for you and your mother and also brother and family, to go also.…As it is now, I shall probably come by bus. If so I may have to go, by way of the cities. If possible, I shall get a pass to go to Omaha on a stock train then I will only have to pay fare from Omaha to Minn. One pass is given for each carload of livestock. My stock is not yet fat enough to go but I believe I can get help, to get a pass to Omaha or Chicago.
(12/16 102) It will be fine if you can get a pass on a stock train that you mentioned. Traveling is expensive but I do enjoy it.
(12/20 106) Tomorrow morning I will go to Denver. I believe I will get a pass to Austin Minn. If I do I will leave tomorrow eve, “Tues.” and arrive at Austin Wed. eve. I shall send a wire; once I am on my way in order that you may know definitely, when I will arrive.
(1/7 112) As I look back upon this last Christmas season, I realize that there is no way of measuring, the love, that God has for us; His Children. How thankful I am to Him; for leading me to you, and for your love and understanding fellowship.…To have been with you and prayed with you, has helped me and made it easier to come to Him in prayer and fellowship.… I have received some good news also. S. S. Brown, my landlord, has a married son, who has a cook stove and heater stored in my house, also a small table, good enough to serve the purpose. I can use these so it will save me quite a bit now and it will also make it possible for you to choose these appliances when you get here.
(1/11 118) Thanks for the letter which you sent. I have been wishing you were around but then I know that you sometimes think of me and I am sure that you are praying for me and so I get happy and go to work. Walter, I am so happy to think that someday I am going to live with you. May I be the kind of person that God wants you to have thru life.
(1/13 123) Today I wished that you might be here with me; over the radio came announcements of the National Western Stock Show at Denver, and I thot that it would be fun, if we might go. There is much fine stock to see, also a fine rodeo and fancy horse show and then it is always interesting to go thru the huge meat packing plants. Since my bank balance is so slim, I shall stay at home and work.
(1/16 129) I mentioned to you that there is warm and cold water in the house but no other modern features such as a bathroom etc. (It is all electrified tho). Therefore to the right is an outdoor toilet. All the ground between the driveway and the fence which you see running directly behind the toilet, is planted in many kinds of flowers and it is truly beautiful.…I will say this that though Mr. Brown is an atheist and drinks more than any man I know, yet he and the whole family (Mrs & 1 daughter about 40 years of age at home) are fine people. They will do almost anything for me, in fact they are almost a 2nd home to me. He knows I will not drink and never asks me anymore.
(1/22 138) Margaret I wish I might have put a ring on your finger, Christmas eve. Had I been financially able, I would not have had one to put on, for I never dreamed that you could care for me.
(1/22 144) I can hardly realize that I maybe will have the chance to live with you in that cute house. It is all right that all modern conveniences are not in the home. Now we have something to look forward to when you build a home that will really belong to us. Sometimes I get so thrilled to think that you love [me] even though I am not just exactly what you would like me to be or the one whom you would really want for a wife.
(1/26 153) And now listen to me; young lady. I would never have gone to Minn., if I had not wanted you for my wife. I may not know all the duties of a good wife but I know most of them and I do not know one that you cannot meet to a Tee. One duty of a good wife is to pray for her husband and I know that you already do that, even though it is not yet my privilege to be your husband. That is also the husband’s duty. Margaret I know that God will help us to be a joy to each other. We have only one worry; To humbly approach him every day. Matt. 18: 3,4.…Now may God keep you and bless you and make his face shine upon you, now and forever. Yours in Christ, Walter
