Old Times Remembered (1955-1959)

Mary Alice Hearn Heard

 

The years 1955 through 1959 appear to have been even busier than past years for Florence and Aubrey. Aubrey's travel was still sporadic, but when he left home he was often gone for several weeks at a time. He continued to spend spare moments on these trips writing articles and books for extra income and drumming up speaking engagements for the United Tennessee League against Beverage Alcohol. Whereas in past years he traveled almost exclusively by train, occasionally now he writes that he will be flying home. Although Florence considered becoming a public school teacher, she accepted a position at Immanuel as director of the church's new kindergarten. Now she not only juggled the children's busy schedules, the housework, and writing assignments, she became involved in professional activities--among others, actively participating in CECUS, the Nashville Council for the Education of Children under Six. The house was not quite so noisy now. The three youngest girls were Florence's major responsibility. Though living at home, Charles was attending Vanderbilt University. Mary Alice went off to Blue Mountain College in 1955, followed by Nancy to Peabody in 1956. Nancy attended Peabody for two years, then left for Hardin-Simmons University her junior year. Despite the scholarship money that the children were able to earn, scraping up enough money for college tuition was a constant burden to Aubrey. This did not deter him from beginning to achieve one of his goals--to take each of his children abroad. He took Charles and Mary Alice along on a tour of Europe in 1955, and in 1959 Nancy accompanied him to Europe and the Holy Land.
FLORENCE Nashville January 25, 1955	It took me from 2:00-4:00 this afternoon to get from the church home. I had to back up and try various roads because I could not get up steep hills--or any hills much. I finally went all the way to Natchez Trace and crawled out to Fairfax--over to Hillsboro and on home. Part of the two hours was spent at a filling station where I asked for chains (they had none) and spent the rest of the time trying to phone Nancy. I was to take her to town, but wanted her to find a way home. Since I knew I would have to go to the church tomorrow I called Mr. Walker and arranged to get some chains from him. Charles and I got out there very slowly and they put the chains on. It certainly gave me a secure feeling to have them. People were slipping, sliding etc. all afternoon.
AUBREY Maryville, TN February 20, 1955	Try to get your writing done this week so we can get to work on removing the rest of the wallpaper. I hope to read several books this week and also write some articles.
AUBREY Washington, DC February 24, 1955	All four of us attended the President's press conference yesterday. It was on television, and one friend of mine here saw me in the group. We got there early and had seats very near where the president stood.
FLORENCE Nashville February 25, 1955	Sunday night I talked with Mrs. Stewart who is librarian at our church. When she found out that I am interested in teaching school, she became very interested. She teaches at Howard and is librarian there. Her husband may teach--I'm not sure about that. At any rate they were both talking about it. Mrs. Stewart said it would be much better if I could be certified. I would have to take only 18 hours and could get that off in 3 months. She said the city schools did not employ anyone without a certificate (the kind I had planned to get is merely a waiver). She also said the city system paid about $200 more than the county.
AUBREY Miami, Florida May 20, 1955	As of now we have about 40 people on our Cuban tour, and may have a few more. As I have a pass, I will go over with the party and spend about 36 hours there.
AUBREY Jackson, TN Sept. 17, 1955	There was one thing I forgot to tell you about. You remember I talked to Bill Reynolds of the Music Dept. of the Board about Nancy taking voice lessons from him. This week he stopped me in the hall one day and asked if Nancy could come to the Board some afternoon next week to sing for him. Ask her to phone him some afternoon after school. I hope she can go down and take some of her music. Mrs. Faircloth of the Music Dept. will play for her.
AUBREY Asheville, NC October 4, 1955	I'm to appear on television here (first appearance) Thursday afternoon for eight minutes. I'll talk on the liquor problem.
FLORENCE Nashville October 6, 1955	Nancy will be in the Symphony on a trial basis. The first rehearsal is Nov. 11 and she can't get the music yet because it isn't ready. Wilda thinks it will be very hard on her and I think so too. She will have 6 rehearsals a month plus a concert.
AUBREY McKinney, TX Nov. 7, 1955	I must soon begin writing a book on alcohol for young people.
AUBREY McKinney, TX Nov. 9, 1955	I've gone hog wild over crossword puzzles. With the Dallas papers you can enter as many as you like. I've already sent in five. Am expecting to win at least $400.
FLORENCE Nashville Nov. 20, 1955	As usual all of us are very busy. Not too busy to miss you though. I hope to spend Thursday and Friday cleaning up for our company--and you. This house really needs a thorough work out. Sometimes I wish I could start over with a fresh, clean, new house! It would be interesting to learn just how long it would take to get this dirty. Not long with me in charge I'm sure.
AUBREY en route to Greenville, SC January 22, 1956	Noticed that Castner's is having dollar day tomorrow. Please go down if possible and get a few sheets and pillow cases, also two dozen rolls of the toilet paper advertised at 12 for $1.00. Try not to spend over $20 for the lot. I hope you won't be so rushed this week and can get your writing finished.
AUBREY Covington, KY February 6, 1956	I talked by phone with my publisher, the Standard Publishing Foundation, yesterday. My new book has sold over 4100 copies since it was published last May. At this rate it will sell better than the other one. I should start earning a royalty on this book sometime this year.
FLORENCE Nashville February 6, 1956	Getting those writing assignments off of hand has helped my spirits a whole lot. This week I want to concentrate on mending and sewing. I haven't worked on clothes in ages. The girls have known it, too. I am in your office to write this letter because Nancy is taking her 'cello lesson. I did not want her to have to struggle home on the bus with her big instrument. She has a rehearsal tonight at Peabody so needs every minute at home to study.
AUBREY Union City, TN April 15, 1956	The banquet on May 17 will be during the child life conference. I hope our family can provide the music. I wrote Mary Alice this morning and asked if she could be there for the banquet. Of course, it may not be possible. My thought was that you and Charles and Nancy could provide the dinner music & the girls sing several numbers. Nancy might also sing.
AUBREY Atlanta, GA August 31, 1956	I'm sorry I won't be there tomorrow for our 23rd anniversary. We'll celebrate some evening next week. It surely doesn't seem like it has been 23 years. Seems more like ten or twelve. These have been happy years. We have had to work hard but I haven't minded that. Maybe after a few years we can ease up a bit. I love you with all my heart and hope that we'll have 50 more years together.
AUBREY Sevierville, TN Sept. 11, 1956	Thus far I have written two articles and have ideas for two more. I hope to write a half dozen articles on this trip. It may take me several months to place them all. I may not get much for some of them but the checks come in when they are needed.
FLORENCE Nashville Sept. 12, 1956	I've been working hard on some things Mary Alice needed. She bought material for two petticoats which I have made by sewing night and day. I have sewed miles and miles of ruffles it seems. Last Monday (Sept. 10) I had my last Associational Meeting as Beginner leader. I may not have as much to do this fall. I have no writing now (unless I start on that book for Miss Groover). I want to work on kindergarten more and get this house more livable. I have about decided not to take a course at Peabody until the winter and spring quarters because there is nothing offered this quarter I want (that I can discover). I may try to get the reading lists for the courses I want and be reading on them.
AUBREY Kingsport, TN Sept. 14, 1956	Today I worked hard at getting dates [for the United Tennessee League] but didn't have much luck. In Knoxville, however, I had good luck. Altogether, I got about 32 dates in a little over two days' work.
FLORENCE Nashville Sept. 15, 1956	Since Mildred and Nancy had spend-the-night company last night, they did a lot of cleaning. At least they reorganized the disorder. Some things will still need to be sorted out. For example, I cleaned out the Jackson Press and moved it into your room so that you would have more places to put your "junk." Most of the things in the Press were mine so those things are in boxes under Suzie's bed and will have to be organized later. I think you will like the added space in your room. I hope letters, books, magazines, and papers will stop getting on top of your clothes. I have the three top drawers of your chest so neat now. Shirts only in the top drawer, underwear in the next with sox, handkerchiefs, and some other things in the third. Each item is separated from the next by partitions. I fitted boxes in to putthings in. I could not tackle the bottom drawer--it gave me the willies to even peep in!
AUBREY Washington, DC Sept. 20, 1956	I am interested in getting a job as cultural affairs officer in some foreign embassy. I've had several interviews here this week and think I can get the job if we decide it is the right thing to do. I'll tell you all about it when I return. We would probably be located in the Middle East or the Orient. We would take the three younger children and leave the three older ones. Please say nothing about this.
FLORENCE Nashville October 6, 1956	Beginning Monday I will have conferences with the mothers of my Kindergarten children. This will take a good bit of my afternoon time. I will be glad when it is over but am looking forward to that contact. I love working with the parents and actually enjoy the children. If I could ever get our house completely straight and orderly and then have some help one or two days a week I believe I would not get so discouraged and tired. Each day I realize more than the day before that I am fighting a losing battle as far as ever catching up and living an orderly life is concerned.
FLORENCE Nashville November 4, 1956	Please write me about your hospital experiences and the reports of the doctors. I'm sure everything will be fine. You should enjoy the rest in bed. It would be wonderful, I think, to lie up in bed for three days and not be sick--in spite of the bad-tasting things, needles in arms and other things they do to you.
AUBREY New Orleans, LA November 7, 1956	They have finished with the tests and I am ready to be discharged. I took practically everything, several more than I took the other time. Although the results of all of the tests are not known yet, I believe I will be given a clean bill of health. My hospital bill came to $143 in three days. I'm hoping that my hospitalization will take care of this
AUBREY Miami, Florida February 3, 1957	On Sunday morning I am to preach for the U.T.L. at the First Baptist Church of Cowan, Tennessee. I am going to try to get the Dixieland to stop there. Please limit your grocery and gas expenditures to a total of $5 a day. I know you can do it if you will plan carefully. I'm going to be hard pressed for several months.
FLORENCE Nashville February 25, 1957	I must write a note tonight although it is already after twelve. I finished the first month's assignment for Home Life which is due March 1st. Two others are due March 15th and April 1st. These must be done this week if possible. I would like to turn them all in March 1st so as to get paid in March. That would be $60.00. In addition to teaching the study courses, I will have to do a unit for the Beginner Leader before April 1st. Besides, I must plan and carry out two or three excursions for the kindergarten children in March.
AUBREY Cincinnati, Ohio April 15, 1957	If you have time to check these puzzles, please do so and send them in. I'm stumped on 7 across and 8 down. Ask Clarence Hankins about 7. You may not have time to fool with them.
AUBREY en route to Fort Worth, TX April 27, 1957	I'll be glad when this trip is over. I preach three times tomorrow, teach three classes at the seminary, and teach my book in four days. When I get home I hope to get my breath again. You have been running even more that I.
FLORENCE Nashville October 7, 1957	I found an ant village frame Saturday and today we put in some ants. I can't wait to get to school in the morning to see if they have begun to tunnel in the dirt. It will be very interesting to watch because we will be able to see them at work underground. Get some rest, dear, with all your editing.
AUBREY St. Louis, MO Sept. 1, 1957	The events of the day twenty-four years ago stand out in my mind, but it seems only a few years ago. I'm sure I love you much more than I did then. I'm sorry to have to be away today. I hope the roses arrived on time. Next week we can have a date and celebrate.
AUBREY St. Louis, MO September 2, 1957	Please get the girls to wash walls & ceilings in kitchen and breakfast room. That will make it possible for me to paint these two rooms some Saturday this fall. If I am to paint the house this fall & spring I must get busy.
FLORENCE Nashville September 3, 1957	It was a real surprise when the roses came Sunday morning. There was a note with them saying "by nine o'clock-must" and they were right on time--about five minutes before nine. They are beautiful and made me feel very important. This summer has been so wonderful being together more than usual. I may get real grumpy now that school has started because we will probably drift back into old ways of never doing anything together. The trouble is that I get myself so tired--and you do too--and then when you ask me late in the afternoon I just don't feel like doing anything. Let's decide to plan in advance if we are to go anywhere and I will just try to be rested.
FLORENCE Nashville October 5, 1957	The girls [Mildred and Marcia?] were fine on T.V. They sang "Side By Side" because they could not remember all of the words of the other one. Several of their friends called up to say they saw them and that they were good.
AUBREY Dublin, Georgia October 23, 1958	I have a busy schedule here. I am speaking in chapel in three schools; conducting two clinics in the First Baptist Church; preaching one sermon and teaching one S.S. Class in the same church.
AUBREY Albuquerque, NM February 6, 1959	Nancy borrowed a car and went to the airport to meet me and got lost. I got a limousine and bus and went to the campus and couldn't find her. But she showed up later in Dr. Mathis' office. She if fine, is in the second semester now. She thinks she did well on her grades. I had lunch with Nancy in the cafeteria. Then I taught two religious education classes. Dr. And Mrs. Mathis, Nancy and her roommate rushed me to the airport. I saw Nancy's room and it is nice. She is well situated there [at Hardin-Simmons Univ., Abilene Texas].
AUBREY New Orleans, LA April 28, 1959	The main flights of my Holy Land tour have now been confirmed. I wish I could hear from some of my prospects who can't make up their minds. I'm enjoying some fish and creole gumbo here but haven't been to the Old French Market yet.
FLORENCE Nashville May 9, 1959	Tell your class [for teachers of children] that they will have to read and study (you do the same) and then invite some of the children's workers up for a workshop. On the other hand you might let them think you are an expert! After all, you have had six children of your own--and have done a good job with them, I must say!
AUBREY Minneapolis, MN May 12, 1959	I'm eating in the homes of the church members and am getting plenty to eat (too much!). Tell Suzanne my watermelon is growing.
AUBREY Athens, Greece July 28, 1959	Nancy and Gale [DePriest] are fine and are very much excited over all the great experiences. I've planned a little service on Mars Hill tomorrow. That is where Paul preached his famous sermon as recorded in Acts 17. Tom [Hearn] is going to read this after Nancy leads us in singing "Faith of Our Fathers". Then J. C. Mitchell will lead us in prayer. Mars Hill is near the Parthenon.
FLORENCE Nashville April 28, 1959	Just one more morning and the conference will be over. I have so much to do I am glad to get at it! I wish I had about two weeks of not teaching in order to work on clothes, writing, house cleaning, and gobs of other things.
FLORENCE Nashville October 27, 1959	I am trying to get many things done this week so that November will not be so hectic. If I can finish my article on toys and get the CECUS newsletter out then I can finish the material for Dr. Barry. I know it is awful that I can't get things written more quickly, but it seems that things keep pressing in on me. I'm not discouraged--just harassed!
FLORENCE Nashville November 1, 1959	I have thought about you all day and can imagine how very tired you are. You must get some sleep along the way. Please don't get sick. I love you so much. I know the time will fly by because I have lots to do and you will keep busy.
AUBREY Fairbanks Alaska November 4, 1959	My class has every church in this area represented. We have about 45 enrolled, including fifteen Negroes and one Eskimo. The Negro church is in the Southern Baptist Convention and these members of my class are among the most interested and intelligent members. We're having a good time. Yesterday I flew in a private plane to an Indian village north of the Arctic Circle. You would have laughed at my outfit--a heavy fur-lined parka and big boots. There were four of us in the Piper tripacer plane--Mr. Watson, secretary of the Baptist Convention; Roy Moore, Training Union secretary; Missionary John Jeffcoat, owner and pilot of the plane, and I. We flew over rugged snow covered mountains and frozen wastes and landed at Fort Yukon, where a Baptist church is under construction. It was two below just before we arrived. We walked around the village (700 pop.), talked with an old prospector for gold, saw the church, and visited with the missionary, Oliver Marson and his family.
AUBREY Anchorage AK Nov. 8, 1959	Roy Moore (the state secretary) and I were planning to fly down yesterday. But one of the preachers and his wife decided to drive down and invited us to go. When we got up yesterday it was snowing and there were 3 inches of it on the ground. I was skeptical about the trip but they didn't hesitate. We came on but the snow got worse. Visibility became bad and we ran off the road into a snow bank. The car wasn't damaged and a snow plow pulled us out. We went on and a few miles from there we couldn't see the road. The snow was a foot thick. We ran out of gas. A big truck ran off the road right by us and nearly turned over. We were there four hours with no heat. It was very cold. It was lunch time and there was no food. But I got out the salted peanuts, fruit, and candy bars I had brought and we ate them. I thought we were going to have to spend the night in the car. But finally some cars came, the snow plow cleared the road, and we got gas and went on. Twice more we got stuck, these times on mountain sides when icy roads wouldn't let us climb. Once we pushed the car and made it, the other time we paid a wrecker $5.00 to pull us up the mountain.Finally at midnight we arrived, after 17 hours of driving in the snow. We were lucky to make it. It was 24º here this morning. Roy took me in his car to four of the churches where I spoke briefly. We'll go to four more tonight.
FLORENCE Nashville Nov. 10, 1959	I don't know yet where I will stay in Chattanooga next week. I almost hate to go off at this time. There is so much to do here. Suzie seems to miss me so much and I don't know what she will do for a whole week. Tonight she kissed me good night. Then she kept coming back and I was teasing her. I told her that I had already kissed her one time. She said, "Well, remember that you have to be Mother and Father both to me right now." So hurry home and take care of your part of the responsibility!
FLORENCE Chattanooga, TN Nov. 17, 1959	Now I know why you like to travel so much and especially to teach in schools! Fortunately I have a room alone and it is wonderful. This is not a very high class hotel, but is near the church and will do. It is the Park Hotel. I notice that my room is $5.00 per day, but it is old. The bed is the old cotton type pad mattress, the carpet is old, but I don't care. I'm enjoying this so much. I have scads to do and hope I won't be lazy. I want to finish my writing, write letters to all the children, knit, read and review the book on Storytelling, and Mrs. Sparks and I want to observe in the Brainard Kindergarten.

 

 

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