#306 The letter from Intercourse, PA-Another Jane Story

One of the jobs that Jane held was sales rep for a number of companies. She lived in Pennsylvania at the time. If memory serves me right we were living in a rooming house in Penbrook, PA, a suburb of Harrisburg. She was between marriages at the time.

One of her selling trips took her to Lancaster, PA. This town is in the middle of Amish country. The names of some of the surrounding communities are quite unique, i.e., Intercourse, Blue Ball, Bird in Hand, Paradise, etc. (If you don't believe me, just Google Lancaster, PA)

While on the road she would often cross paths with other salesmen. She remembered one man who had been trying to get his wife to come with him. The man’s wife seemed adamant about not traveling, even though he promised her a nice weekend in the area.

Jane suggested a plan that would be foolproof and would get his wife to accompany him on a future trip. While a bit skeptical, the man asked about the plan. It was quite simple, all he had to do was write his wife a nice letter and mail it to her from Intercourse, PA.

It was a few months before their paths crossed again. The man was ecstatic about the results. He couldn’t quit enthusing about the results. His wife insisted that she accompany him on the next trip. She just didn’t believe there was a town with that name. Needless to say, the man was quite pleased and yet puzzled at the results. He didn’t know how Jane knew of the results. I guess it was just a female thing. And, remember this took place in the 50’s when women were not seen on the road selling things.

#306