7/30/44 Italy
Angel:
The pics came today and are the best I have ever seen of you. I feel almost as if you were right here with me. The one you sent for our anniversary will make my life a much more pleasant one. For goodness sake! I generally don’t like cameos, but they certainly look well on you. Had I had a good profile pic of you, I would have had the brooch pin made from it.
The one you thought looked most natural definitely is. Your expression is very much like Clazy Kims—man’s in it. The one you thought was “posed” looks like you when you’re trying to get me to go to a serious show when the Marx Bros. are playing someplace else near. The other full length is almost as good as the anniversary one. Tooth paste ad is not bad, but don’t go applying for a job. I know of what these lads are thinking when they see such ads!!! Honey, I like the serious one too, for that is as much a part of you as that little laugh that sounds so much like tine crystal rods being blown about by a spring breeze.
Incidentally, your hair is lovely angel. I like the one you thought most natural the best. How about 8×10 of same PLEASE.
I shall try to answer your multitude of letters.
On the furniture, here is the deal. I wrote a V-mail on it, but shall elaborate. Suppose at the end of next month you have:
- $700 in Savings #1
- $800 in Savings#2
- $400 in checking account (before allotment arrives)
A week later, suppose I send $300. Split it as follows:
- $100 to checking (giving $500 end of month level to which allotment is added)
- $100 to each of savings.
Now when checking account stands always between $500 (at end) and $675 (at start of month when allotment is in, and when there is at least $1000 in each checking [savings] account, suppose I send $300 again. When above conditions have been fulfilled, split as follows:
- $150 for furniture.
- $75 to Savings #1
- $75 to Savings #2
Keep this up, and by end of year’s time, we will have roughly $1600 worth of furniture.
In margin: (Temiente Francesco Vulcano, 20 Via Callebrette, Napoli, Italia
I was sober in picture—bottle is Frascati Vino. (Put other stuff in scrap-book.)
Buy it piece by piece (or save until you can buy a set) and don’t buy it on time. If you do, you will finish very shortly, and I’m sure having a small purchase to make each month will help pass the time. Also, it will cost 20% more on time.
The reason I am so insistent about the $2000 minimum savings and $500 cash is that the $500 will tide us over for 2 months and the $2000 cover the rest of the year of school. Then our bonds can be left alone to mature at a nice interest rate. Please don’t cross me up on this honey.
Hey! I want 3 things: a good mantel piece clock with pendulum (no birds popping out—only very soft chime or bell on the hour only—or possibly no noise at all would be best, a chair and stool and a chiffonier. [see drawings from letter]
Also, on the davenport, if it is a bed gadget be sure it has a back and is not like that damn thing of Mother’s.
Back to the letter. I shall be more than pleased to teach you how to sleep 2 in a bed. And how!
Let’s forget Burt, and remember him as we do Gus Heiss.
The enclosure from Gozlands is self explanatory*. Rita did fix her gadget so it fit beautifully.
Tell Mother I haven’t learned to drink over here—I knew how a long time ago.
Saw “Goin My Way” the night before your letter recommending it. It was good.
On the watch, start it through the mill and I will yell when I need it.
Forget the magazines as it is exceedingly difficult to get to see Vulcano now, and by the time they arrived we may be miles away. Why not send them direct to them. Mails are now open, I think.
Toots, that’s about it. I’m still gloating over the pictures.
All my love forever. Cy
P.S. Use “HQ 12AF” until further notice. It may delay it a day, but is sure.
*Letter from Rita Gozland:
7/13/44 Tunis
From: Rita Gozland
To: Cy
My dear Cyrus:
I want you to know that we have not yet gotten over the lovely surprise you had given us all on your last small visit. Too bad you could not remain a few days as usually and have us spoil you a bit as you deserve. Marcel scolded me for not keeping you by force, but I explained that duty called you. Do please send your lovely little wife this note, so she can read by herself how much we think of her dear Cyrus. Also do thank her for the trouble she took shopping and choosing everything with such exquisite taste. One would know by looking at her photograph that she is dainty and artistic in her tastes.
I hope you are happy in good shape and that your trip was of good use to you.
Here nothing new, so far our papers have not come from Washington permitting us to return home to dear old U.S.A.
Perhaps there I shall have the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Stafford as I surely mean to go places once home and cured as I hope to be. Here very little improvement in my health. I’m just waiting patiently till I’ll get back where all is marvelous and true.
Love from us all to you both. Rita