7/12/39
Darling:
Before I forget it, my vacation is the first week in August.
Also, always expect the worst. I have no reason to believe it, but never be surprised if the RCA cans me. In the past month, I have talked to a lot of fellows and find that an unwritten company policy is to take in young engineers, train them in RCA procedure, and then release them. Later, after the fellows have had additional experience at someone else’s expense, the RCA hires them back. I can’t see myself in this role, but a word to the wise is sufficient. I don’t want such a thing to hurt your pride too much if it happens.
Swam a fast mile today. I started out on a quarter, but stretched it to a half and then a mile. It yet stiffens me up a good deal, but I don’t mind.
Mother says you looked very sweet Saturday. She is apparently recovering in good style.
Sterilized my camping equipment last night. I bought a hand axe, mess-kit, and canteen last Saturday. A knife and a few odds and ends should make it about complete. Later on, we’ll have to get a tent for ourselves.
Mother has asked what the situation is between us. I am writing to her that we love each other, intend to be married, but that both of us are in debt and I have at least another year of school to finish. I think that about covers the matter.
Honey, how would you like a college prof for a husband? The longer I work in industry, the more I realize that I am not quite in the right place. After I get my bachelor’s degree, I could probably swing a research or teaching job at $1500 per year with part-time work on my master’s. If I went after it in the right way, I should be able to turn out a couple of text-books. Also, if you’d keep after me, we could budget the 9 months wages over the year’s time and have a three month vacation per year for writing or whatever we wanted to do. The above wage is only a start, for I believe the Everitt* of Ohio State gets $13,000 per year plus fees from the incidental consulting jobs and royalties on books.
Life would be so much nicer with you, darling. Lots of love, Cy.
*See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Littell_Everitt