Thurs., April 8, 1926
It’s come! When Bill went to town yesterday he was determined to solve the wire riddle or bust, and made a great hullabaloo at Western Union. At first the clerk maintained there was nothing for him, but then, at Bill’s insistence, he looked again, and found a notice from the Postal Wire Service that a wire was being held for Bill. Flying over he was given a wire dated Saturday, the 3rd, which said Frank would send the money on Monday. Another wire from Frank to the Postal Service requested the first wire to be held till called for. Then a third wire from a man in Frank’s office revealed that Frank was in the hospital with appendicitis and asked Bill to telegraph how much he wanted--which of course he did immediately, sitting right there from 4 to 6:45 until at last the money came. What a long drawn-out business--ten days! Why the Postal Service hadn’t given Bill the wires earlier remains a mystery.
Although it was simply pouring we both went to town this morning, Bill to court and I to spend money. Bill’s fine was only $1, the judge saying he would let him off easy because it was a rainy day. I wonder what would have happened if the money hadn’t come or if Bill had to pay the fine yesterday.
Our camping neighbors are a type entirely new to us--professional itinerants. Ed is a truck driver, a follower of oil booms, and their last residence was in Wyoming. This is the first real estate boom they have tackled. They profit by the higher wages, not by investing in oil or land. Making a lot of money, they also spend a lot, often leaving with less than they brought with them. Ed seems to know the oil business from A to Z, and has great stories about Harry Sinclair, and how the Standard Oil interests nudged their way into this or that oil field.
Their sweet little ten-year-old girl, Vera, has just developed hip joint disease. Although still on crutches, she seems to be improving, but doesn’t go to school yet. I am showing her how to make a raffia basket, and on one rainy afternoon we made doll’s clothes together.