"She is a dandy little woman for fun, but for god sake dont let her man know...” Letter from 22-yo Harry Keelor to his new friend, bemusedly warning of her "pard" (Ohio, 1888).

(3)p A.L.S. Bifolium, 8 x 5 inches, with original cover addressed to Miss Blanche Melvin, Washington C[ourt] H[ouse], Ohio. Postmarked from Findlay, Ohio, Oct. 31, 1888. VG- with staining, but still legible and sturdy.

Informal and with loose spelling and grammar, Harry H. Keelor (b. 1864?) writes that he “got safe home” after visiting the recipient. His letter hints at some mischief with Blanche’s unnamed “pard” (old slang for partner): “I tell you Blanche She is a dandy little woman for fun, but for god sake dont let her man know anything about it you know he might kick (Hurah for Cleveland).”

The two appear to have been recent acquaintances, and he expresses a desire to exchange letters—"I won’t write much this time, but if you think me worthy of an answer, I will do better next time… I hardly know how I would of past the time while I was there if it had not of been for you and your pard now if you will write I will answer all your letters and you dont know how glad I will be to hear from you.”

Again, after closing, writes “Hurah for Cleveland.” Not much could be dug up about Harry or Blanche; we can only speculate on what kind of dandy mischief their mutual "pard" may have partaken in. Written a week before Grover Cleveland’s defeat, we presume the statement is in reference to the campaign refrain and not a rendezvous in Cleveland, Ohio. But who really knows? It's not like Blanche or her friend could vote...