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.