Year: 1939

3/3/39  Camden, NJ

Precious:

            I just walked in from work and saw my Darling smiling at me, and then I read her letter, and now I do feel pretty good and awfully well-satisfied with myself.  I only wish she could get used to the new set-up, although only temporarily, so that it wouldn’t be so hard for her.

Congrats on the new job.  It means a lot of plugging, but if they didn’t think you had the mental and physical equipment to handle it, they wouldn’t have even considered you for it.  That puts us both on the spot.  If we’re willing to work hard enough and intelligently enough, and perhaps swallow a little dirt now and then, we will go places in style.  Tell Andy that if they don’t get a new girl, I demand half of what they save on the wages deal.  If it wasn’t for my leaving town, they wouldn’t have been able to handle it that way.

The books came today.  Thank Bill for them.  It was really his responsibility to get them mailed and I’m glad he took it.  The logbook is a thing of the future and needn’t be worried over.

I’m glad you and the folks are hitting it off so well.  I imagine we have solved that problem better than most young married couples.  You know, everyplace I go, I feel so strongly that you are with me that I almost talk to you.  This seems especially true in eating.  I almost always think out the things I would say to you if you were sitting opposite me in reality.

I’m glad JH raised hell with you, not because I want you to get hell, but because it shows where he stands.  He would politely ignore it, and completely ignore you from now on if he didn’t think a lot of you.  I believe I am correct in saying that you and I are about the only two people out of his family whom he has ever thought enough of to criticize violently.  Well, let’s forget it.

The best thing you can do about the battle-ax* is to treat it like you advised me to treat mg, just don’t answer.  What you don’t say can’t be used against you, especially if you don’t write it.  (I’m a fine one to be giving this advice, hi).

That makes two of us who are counting days.  Now I’m awfully glad that we aren’t together just now.  With both of us mutually reminding us, it would be unbearable.  It just has to go through without a hitch or I’ll go nertz.

Possibly not the best thing to write, but I’m certain that we’re closer at a thousand miles than you and Bill ever were when together.

Your little boy has been stepping out lately.  I went over to Philly to the IRE** meeting and heard a talk by G.C. Southworth of Bell Labs.  It was a continuation of a talk he gave in Chicago just a year ago, and was excellent.  Tell Bill to read it carefully if it comes out in the proceedings.  It was on radiation of the Ho type of wave-glide transmission.  It ties in with some work of Barrows and others and should be most useful.  If I had had this information a year ago, I might yet be working for Purdue Research Foundation, for it would have given the project a new lease on life.

When I got home, I found a telegram here from John saying he would meet me Saturday in NYC.  There was also a phone call from Al Howell, the fellow I met over in Philadelphia.  I imagine he will call this evening.  Then there was a letter from Dr. Aiken asking me to spend the week-end of the 11^th with he and his wife.  He outlined a little hiking, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wanted me to do either extra time work for him, or make a break towards college.  It seems that there are several excellent schools nearby and I could do a reasonable amount of work. If I went to school Saturday mornings, I could take four hours of work.  This would finish my college work in four semesters or two years.  I might take a year that way and take five months off to finish the other semester at full time.  This is all guess-work, and I shall know more after I have seen Aiken.  I shall find out train times so that he can meet me and write to him either tomorrow or Monday.  I shall arrive about noon Saturday and come back here Sunday night.

The man with whom I am working seems to be well satisfied with my work to date.  He is a most quiet sort, Selby, and easy for me to get along with.  It is amazing how quiet I can be when I am busy.  This is probably a new thought even to you, who knows me better than anyone else, but it has been most apparent to me in the last couple of years.  If I don’t watch myself, I shall probably land up in a corner and never open my mouth from one year to the next! (Note—fat chance).

After I got home last night, I finished reading about Helen of Troy.

It is a darned good book, and I shall probably take it to NY with me and shove it down JH’s throat.  I rather imagine he will enjoy it.  It brings out a lot of ideas that young people would do well to investigate—in their minds only.  Its background in authentic Greek mythology gives I an air of respectability.  I neither approve nor disapprove of the opinions of any of the characters, but they frequently seem to be most sensible.  I am quoting some of those which seemed exceptionally good, although not necessarily appropriate to either you or I other than generally:

“In marriage, if anywhere, you need the courage of your convictions, at least in the beginning.

I want a lover I can settle down with and be true to, I’m going to have an orderly home.

In love, there’s a natural enchantment of passion to draw us on, and when the enchantment dies as it must, there remains behind it either a disillusion, or a beautiful reality, a friendship, a comradeship, a harmony.

Do your best, and if it’s a mistake, hide nothing and be glad to suffer for it.  (P.S.—only if it doesn’t involve making someone else the goat).

They shouldn’t be prudent so early.  (Referring to young people—especially 3 years ago).

Those who have it never grow old, I think, never lose courage, nor lose interest:  They may suffer, but their world remains beautiful. (Speaking of true love).

They are afraid of life, afraid they won’t succeed, or won’t get married, or something.  When their fears are removed they are so relieved that they settle down and never take a risk again.  That’s the only way I can explain most people.

Jealousy is one form of insanity which is dishonest.  It begins in a willful perversion of the facts.

…some one to be her mate, not her slave (works for him and her).

I shouldn’t think better of the insult for know it was spontaneous.

People who can command love are not left behind.

…no man ever quite knows why a woman loves him… and how!

…if you begin now to hide your thoughts and your feelings, and to cringe before the opinions of other people, you’ll be lost forever… (said to a young girl).

It’s nature’s fine way of saying at the moment we want him very much (of passion)

Nothing in this world is stable…unless we ourselves are so.

I want you to choose the man to whom it will be easiest in the long run for you to be loyal…

…not to justify your life after it is lived.

Without sharp edges, life is a smooth habit, and meaningless.

Insincerity becomes a screen between life and our souls.”

Telephone—scuse me.

For goodness sakes.  It’s an hour later.  Al called I am going to see The Women

with him this evening.  After he called I got into a bull-session with Mrs. Brooks.  She is most happy about your picture.

I shall quote a few more and then I must quit and get going.  I have to wash and dress and eat, and I’m starved.

Snope—can’t find any more underlined.

It’s probably been mean making you wade through all of these, but they are the things I would read out loud to you had we been in the sort of situation we shall be in some day.

Baby girl, I miss you tremendously, but I’m so darned happy to think that at least we seem to be definitely in line for each other.  It has been an awfully hard struggle and a painful one for both of us.  We have probably made more mistakes than most, but I believe we shall be better people for it.  I know I would have been an awful snob if I hadn’t gotten knocked around a bit and seen what most people have to endure without a chance of doing anything about it.  At least, Darling, we have that chance and the desire to make it good.

Sleep tight, tonight, lil girl.  If you get it Saturday, I shall probably be in New York when you get it, but my darned old heart is still with you.  Say hello to my in-laws at 506 and my other family at 327 Brandon.

I really must scram to supper.  It’s nearly seven and I have to meet Al at 8 in Philly!

Love to my baby,   Cy

*Refers to Marty’s estranged husband, William Kennedy.

**  From Wikipedia:  The Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) was a professional organization which existed from 1912 until December 31, 1962. On January 1, 1963 it merged with the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) to form the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).^[1]

 

 

3/6/39

Camden, NJ

Martha Darling:

Don’t tell him I said it, but our nephew saved me a night’s sleep just now.

For some unknown reason, I have been thinking of Bill*  all day, and had sort of a premonition that he would show up in Wheaton one of these days.  Naturally, although it is perfectly silly, I couldn’t keep from looking for a letter from you with more than usual interest, if that is possible.

I didn’t get one from you, but there was one there from Chucky.  I feel better now.  I shall quote, that being the simplest way out:

“Marty is in the living room playing cards with the folks and every once in a while she gazes at your picture and smiles.”

“P.S.  Marty says—Hi!!”

So I guess that is that.  Nothing like having an informer to keep me posted on how sweet my girl is. Of course, he is a little biased, but generally most accurate in his observations.  That’s one friend we can both count on regardless of circumstances.

After I ate lunch-breakfast yesterday, I went to see Gunga Din.

That of course raises the question, “If Gunga Din, who did?”  Seriously, it was a good horse-opera.  Ted Weems with Elmo Tanner and Perry Como were on the stage.  They also had a blonde jitterbug, a brunette with a figure like yours who did some modern dances, the Frassee sisters, and a couple of specialties from the orchestra.  One was clever.  They had a Charley Mac doll who sang about The Old Apple Tree upon which Pappy got hanged.  Then he whistled a number almost like Elmo Tanner.  Right in the middle of it, the ventriloquist sneezed, and the whistling went right on with no interruption!  Was his face red!  After the number, Tanner came out from behind the stage and the double mike set-up. Boy, was it a swell stage show.  Saw it twice.  I believe I shall be real naughty and see the Ritz Bros. in the Three Musketeers tonight.  If I hurry, I can get in time for a little study.

The day at the plant was uneventful.

I shall sign off on this page.  No point in signing the second one just yet.  I miss my darling like I would supper if I hadn’t eaten for within 3 hours of two weeks.  It seems more like two years.

Love for my baby girl.    Cy

P.S.  Wrote Charley a simple lecture on his Father’s responsibility shirking.  Smooth it over if it was too rough.  Your Husband.

Page 2.

Not that it worries me anymore, after having heard about you if not actually from you, but perhaps we had better make some tentative plans in case the prodigal son** does return.

First, if it appears that you can’t avoid seeing him if he is in town, I want you to move into Chicago, or possibly only to Glen Ellyn.  This will be determined by Burns*** on the basis of the necessary residence time in the county in which the suit is brought.

Second, don’t see him at all if possible.  If he arrives here, it will be on his Mother’s pocket-book, and he will be carefully rehearsed in his line.  I imagine it would be “you can’t leave me in my present condition.”  But don’t forget that he took you in good health, with a cash reserve, ample credit, and a good supply of the material things in life, and left you broke, homeless, no clothes, health run down, and even after he knew you were leaving, made no effort to prevent your becoming in really serious “condition.”  It’s probably foolish to even mention these things to you, for you know them better than I do.

Third, if he should come to town, I want you to get in touch with me immediately.  If necessary, call me on the phone and reverse the charges.  Telegram followed by explanatory air mail letter will probably suffice, unless the situation is urgent.

Fourth, don’t let it upset.  Remember that for the first time in your life, you have someone behind you who not only means business, but can generally back up his needs with material things.  Alone, you wouldn’t be up to the emotional and nervous strain.  But you will never have to be alone in anything again, at least, not as long as I’m yet kicking the world around twenty-four hours per day.

The above looks like a rather morbid mess, but it is better to plan for things before they happen and not have them happen, than it is to be caught in a fast-moving situation and have hysteria impregnate the bulk of the plans hastily made.

Having heard from you indirectly, I feel wonderful.  But my thoughts today, although unnecessary, were sane.  And they are therefore worth passing on in case the situation should arise.  Frankly, I don’t believe it will, because the battle-axe hasn’t the wherewithal to pay for a successful contesting of the suit.  If you disagree with any points of the plan, let me know.

* Marty’s estranged husband, Bill Kennedy.

**Marty’s estranged husband, Bill Kennedy.

***Marty’s divorce lawyer.

3/9/39

My Baby:

My mail is usually on the hall table, but today it was on the steps leading up to the third floor.  When I first walked in, I kidded myself into believing that I didn’t have any, as I really didn’t expect any.  You can imagine how happy I was to find your letter and a postcard from Aiken confirming our week-end date.  I wasn’t going to answer your letter until tomorrow, but I found that I hadn’t written you yesterday, and I can’t neglect my Darling that way.

Betty is an awful cute baby.  Jimmy is a rascal, but being my first grandchild, I can’t keep from loving him.  When Bill gets some good pictures of Betty, tell him he has to send me copies or I’ll treat him as n “and shoot ‘em down with rifles.”

‘Sfunny.  I dreamed about you on Monday night also.  Woke up about midnight, and didn’t get to sleep until about 4 A.M.  Boy, did I look terrible Tuesday and Wednesday!  I guess I do miss you—a little bit.

Find out from Nena when Mother’s Birthday is.  I’ll have some spare cash about the fifteenth, and I’ll send you a fiver.  You can either spend it in whole or in part and slip in a couple of bills in the card.  I want it to be from us, so I shall get a card out here and sign it.  Then I will send it to you and you can sign it and get a present or whatever seems desirable.

Ok on JH’s apology.  It is just like him—and me.

Let’s forget WPK*  now that we have it all set.  It isn’t a pleasant subject.

Your longhand is keen.  I can read every word of it without any effort.

I think you did well on the insurance policy.  Let’s forget everything connected with the past two years.  The financial loss is negligible.

Well let’s see.  What’s new here.

I received the customary form letter from the Army Air Corps yesterday informing me that I had missed the boat for the March class and that they hoped next time etc.  I shall quote one part.

“However, if the expected expansion of the Air Corps materializes, flying cadet classes will be greatly enlarged and undoubtedly all available qualified candidates will be assigned to school immediately.”

I shall not mention this to anyone else.  If this should occur in the near future, which it may, I shall talk it over with you and see what’s what. It may possibly be a wise move if it comes after I have saved enough for a part of my college.  I might conveniently flunk out just before graduation and get the training without having the two years service.  Or I might get transferred to the War College and finish my EE work.  It has enough possibilities so that I shall not just chuck it because of my present position.  I won’t do anything without your advice, darling, so don’t worry.

I wrote to John and Blenda about two days back and told them where I was and that I was settled etc.  I stated that I hoped to be out of debt by the end of June.  I expect to be out sooner than that, but there is no point in letting them know it.  If anything should happen, I should only disappoint them again like I did last fall.  I told them not to even count on the June date as I hadn’t been here long enough to accurately budget the situation.

Bought a book a couple of days ago, “The Ends of the Earth,” by Roy Chapman Andrews.  It is a travel-exploration-biography.  Awfully interesting, more so because I have read other books of his, and have talked to him in person.  He lectured at Purdue during my frosh year and I went up on the stage afterwards.  I hope to build up the makings of a library in the next year.  For one thing, IF I go back to PU, they have a library contest every year, first prize being $100.  If I could cinch that, it would more than repay me for the cost of the books, as well has having them and having read them in the bargain.  Anyhow, who knows?  Maybe I’ll want a library for other reasons some day.  (where did that “maybe” come from?).

The RCA yet loves me, and I believe I can keep them that way.

Spent last evening reading the Reader’s Digest and listening to the radio.  Maybe I shall be able to get one for the room later on.  The RCA is selling some $30 five-tube gadgets for $13, to employees of course.  I shall investigate.  That wouldn’t go too badly in what I hope to be my next home.  I can use the set downstairs, but it is lousy, and I don’t like to impose on the Brooks, although they seem to enjoy having me do it.

Well, it is only 5 o’clock.  But I have a good deal to do.  I brought some stuff home from the plant.  It isn’t quite clear and I shall mull over it tonight and be the bright-eyed boy tomorrow.  Of course, I may be just tired tomorrow and know no more than I do now.

Lots of what it takes from your lil boy.  Cy

*Marty’s estranged husband, William P. Kennedy.