Search

Tom gave a concert in Clifton Forge, Virginia and had a great time bicycle riding, playing cards (whist) and picnicking with beer, whiskey, cigars, lemon ice, and cake. His band played songs like "Home Sweet Home" and "Sunrise." Tom also gave several concerts in Atlantic City. Ada severely reprimanded Tom for playing whist on Sunday in Clifton Forge and for drinking in Atlantic City.

Tom's mother visited Ada and her mother and the three of them became very good friends. Ada apologized for accusing him of drinking too much. Tom wrote about his photographs and his plans for setting up a dark room to develop his own pictures. Ada worried that Tom's father might move to Staunton and harm Tom's reputation. Ada wrote that William [Powell] visited her with his class pin and cap.

Ada received a letter from Paul Hall inviting her to Washington D. C. Tom wrote about his trip to Louisville Kentucky and after his concert, the town people gave him a key to the city. He also told her that he was performing with a [Charlottesville] Band on the Lawn of the University of Virginia the following week. Ada wrote about her intense desire to be independent and earn her own living.

Ada feared that the summer would be the hardest yet for them to be apart. She complained that no one in the house cared for her and that she was more lonesome every day. Tom met Ada in Winchester for a dance which they both enjoyed. Ada promised that she would marry Tom that year. Tom met Mr. Paul Bowles from the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind and was given encouragement that they would have a place for him next year. Ada wrote that she saw Will Glass but did not really care one way or the other if he was cordial or not.

Tom wrote to Ada explaining that the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind did not pay as much as she seemed to think. With classes and the band Tom made thirty dollars per month including board and washing. Ada wanted to find someone to sell her art work for her. She also mentioned that Dick Byrd [Richard Evelyn Byrd] joined the Virginia Club.

Tom wrote that the band was going to Atlantic City in July with the Elks; Louisville, Kentucky in May; and Washington D. C. with the Knights Templar; the University of Virginia for Easter; and Lynchburg. He also wrote that Professor Ide helped him with the music for the story of the reformation. Ada encouraged Tom to be the leader for the Stonewall Orchestra. Tom mentioned that a friend was getting an "absolute" divorce where one does not have to pay alimony.

Tom wrote that he lost over a hundred dollars in stock and was very upset about it. He did not get the position at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind because they reelected the person that resigned. Tom also mentioned that Mr. King was the secretary at the Mary Baldwin Seminary, and Mr. Webb was the principle music teacher at Miss Duvals. Ada wrote she would be interested in earning money as a personal companion.

Tom sent in his application to the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. Ada wrote him that she had almost made up her mind to marry him as soon as he made a "little headway" financially. Tom wrote that he was ecstatic and that they were both twenty-five with their best years being spent in loneliness. He said that he would give up his music for her so that he could get a better job, but she wrote him that she would not mind at all having to work.

Tom travelled to Lexington, Clifton Forge, Lynchburg, Buena Vista and Richmond, Virginia giving concerts and visiting his family. He wrote that he was busy writing music for marches such as "Old Kentucky Home,""Bonnie Blue Flag," and "Maryland."

Ada wrote about the Mason's parade and enclosed the program. She mentioned news about various friends and acquaintances including information about how someone was wearing a new style of underwear that absorbed all moisture. She told Tom that it cost eight dollars for "a set of these drawers." In addition to his music, Tom also sold pictures as a photographer.