This is Ruth Meredith's engagement picture, published in the local paper, "The Austinite" in October, 1927. They had been dating since right after her graduation from Austin High in June, 1926. Her tiny diary gives us a peek at her life and John Kellogg's in December of 1927.
Sunday, Dec. 2, 1927 - "Wonderful weather. Had an embarrassing moment - my bloomer legs came down while walking to church. Won and lost at bridge tonight. Late to bed."
Monday, Dec. 3, 1927 - "Had a pretty good time at the club meeting - won a prize for a game - also a wall vase in a grab bag. John came for me without the car. He had a smash-up!!!
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 1927 - "John is pretty dejected over last night's accident. It was between him and a street car, which did all the damage. Don't know how it will turn out."
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 1927 - "Tired. Washed my hair. It's very cold weather. Stayed home tonight. John dropped in for a while. He wrote letter to the street car co. while I read. I rec'd my 2nd book, which is 'Claire Ambler'."
Thursday, Dec. 6, 1927 - "Am retiring early after my ablutions. Will read 'Claire Ambler', my new book, until am tired. Mama got a stomach ache, so Papa and I had to do dishes."
These quotes were not in Pieces of a Life, nor was the newspaper clipping. After meeting John, Ruth's vocabulary broadened. He had had 4 years of Latin in high school and was well read. Fifty years later he could still come up with Latin roots to words. "Ablutions", which means washing up, was not something she would have said before John.
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