Aw I full! I just had a swellegant steak dinner at my customary restaurant.
I didn’t get to read your letter this afternoon until about an hour after I got home, as an insurance salesman was waiting for me when I arrived. Was I peeved. I enjoyed talking with him, but I was seriously tempted to tell him to go soak his head until I had read my mail. He didn’t even try to sell me any insurance, as the blokes out there generally do on the first meeting, but is going to drop around again in a couple of months. Perhaps I can do him some good then. Company is Provident Mutual of Philly.
So the Battle-axe cornered you. It’s lucky I wasn’t along, for I would have been moved to mayhem or worse.
Ma Huntoon certainly has been nice to my baby since I left that region. I think maybe she likes you, a little. I can’t make any promises on the phone call just yet, for it may be later than the 7th. Indications are that I may go down to Aikens that week-end, leaving here on Friday night, to do a little paper research on this pet problem of mine.
Today at the office went a little better than last week. I am apparently being given a rather free hand with the remainder of the design of this present job. I guess I told you that the place was reorganized Monday afternoon, with me in the government receiver group. Please forget all of this, for although we aren’t told to suppress it, it is highly desirable to so do.
Played ping pong for an hour yesterday in the A.A. rooms (Company sponsored). Saw Fast and Loose on Sunday night with Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell, I think. It was quite good and hope you see it. Played cards with Grandma Brooks, Margaret, and another school teach friend of hers. Made 808 for three rubbers at auction. High was 818.
Jack sent me a couple of books, one on ethics and the other on etiquette, and also about 50 of the enclosed. Sweet of her. She always looks out for little brother, although it is sometimes amusing.
Not much more, so I shall stop before I become dull.
Editor’s historical note: From April 7-12 Italy invaded Albania in one of the early chess moves of the prelude to WWII. This gave Italy greater control over the shipping lanes and access to the Adriatic sea.
4/8/39
Darling:
Gee, I feel flat today after last night. Sort of like an inner tube with no air in it. But it was glorious while it lasted, wasn’t it?
I suppose I am a rat, but I have been brewing things with Maw Huntoon for at least a couple of weeks, and making silly excuses to you. Honey, I’ll never forget the thrill I got out of hearing your voice. I’ve been waiting for it ever since I got out here. Well baby, we have that to look forward to again in the future, maybe in another six weeks or so.
I had been sitting in the living room gloating over myself when the phone rang. I answered, and it was John! Gee, I wish I had known it, we could have made a three-way conference out of it. He was in Baltimore and is due to arrive here for the rest of the weekend apparently on the 1:20 train. He was awfully disappointed to hear that I had already called, as he thought I might not call until today, or possibly later in the evening.
Well, I’m glad my little girl had a happy birthday. Here’s hoping that it is the last one that we shall spend apart.
I got up this morning at 6 and worked until noon on some work connected with treatment for infantile paralysis. This is strictly on the qt. I’ll explain the connection when I see you. I was permitted to act as a consultant on the engineering end of the device. Looks good, but forget it for a while at least.
If JH stays over tomorrow, we shall go see the Oklahoma Kid, with his consent. Stage has Shirley Ross, somebodyorothers orchestra, and Judy Canova with Annie and Zeke. It should be amusing.
It must be almost Easter, for the weather here is clouding up. Speaking of which, thanks for the sweet card.
Margaret must have a date tonight. Was just interrupted by about a bushel of flowers and a corsage being delivered. Nobody is home but Grampa, and he isn’t so spry.
Darling, if I ever had any doubts, which I didn’t, they would have been completely shattered by your little voice last night. You certainly gave yourself away, hi.
Will write about the week-end later, and write Conk now.
Thanks for the letter today. By now, you should have two letters from me, one to the house and one to the office.
I’m glad your birthday was such a success. I think Maw Huntoon, was awfully sweet to work it out with us the way she did, and the type of present she gave you sort of puts a lump in my throat.
I’ll bet your ears were scorched over the week-end. JH* and I did little else but talk about you. He arrived about 1:20 P.M. Saturday, and I went over to Philly and met him. Then we came over here for lunch. After talking for a couple of hours, we walked over to Philly again and took in the Bellevue–Stratford Hotel, City Hall, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, and several similar sights.
The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, PhiladelphiaThe Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, interior, PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia City HallIndependence Hall, PhiladelphiaThe Liberty Bell
Then we had dinner, and planned on a show. But we finished too late, so we walked all the way back to the ferry, took it across the river, and then walked up to the house. Total walking for the evening must have been between 8 and 10 miles. We talked for about fifteen minutes and then hit the hay.
Philadelphia-Camden Ferry
Sunday, we went out for breakfast, and then came back to the house for more gabfest. Then we walked over to Philly again, took the PRT out to the west end of Philly, and waited two hours until Goodman and Jackson showed up. Then the three of them drove on up to Hartford together. They are both nice fellows, even if two hours late. After leaving JH, I came back and went to the show. Shirley Ross was the nuts, both voice and physique, and was on the stage. Judy Canova and Annie and Zeke were also pretty good. The orchestra was a cross between Alex’s ragtime and jitterbug Joe, and wasn’t too good, although rather torrid and excellent rhythm. I then came home and hit the hay rather early.
Today didn’t go too well, but I’m not worried about it. I expect to get my 10 week’s job finished in 5 weeks. I don’t know what the hurry is, but I like to work that way when I can.
Easter was clear and cold and today was fair. Tonight it is quite warm, almost like a summer night. I can foresee great difficulty in working and studying under such pleasant weather this summer.
JH made a bit hit with the folks here. My tea-room gang thought he was my twin brother!
We’re getting closer, Honey! Yipee! With all my love, Cy.
P.S. John says please don’t send him anything for his birthday, and I know he will feel better if you don’t. I invited him to our house for dinner for the first birthday he has after we get our house, and he says that will be ok. I shall probably see him in NYC the 20th. Tell Bill.
I spent most of last evening cleaning the typewriter and installing the new ribbon. I hope this looks a little better. After everything else is done, I shall get a new mill for us, but that will be far in the future.
Your letter was delicious, Darling.
Re your New York office suggestion. Even if there, you would be not much better off. You wouldn’t be able to see me more than once a month, for the expense is terrific. Of course, once a month looks like an awful lot right now. When I realize that we haven’t been apart but six weeks or so, and compare that with the lost feeling I have, I feel that once a month would almost be heaven by comparison.
Before I forget it, tell Bill no soap on the 20th. I thought it was a Friday, but it is Thursday. Neither JH or I could afford the trip just now for just one evening, and I am sure that neither of us could conveniently get Friday off. We will try to see them on their return home, and tell them to make it on a week-end, hi.
Ok on the beer. Don’t let it worry you, precious, I think it was swell. Just so my darling doesn’t get too much some time and regret that she does. Naturally, I like to be with you whenever there is any chance of you not being in full possession of all of your faculties, but I trust you enough so that I don’t worry over you. I suppose that I should have mentioned it, although I didn’t think enough of it to merit even a passing remark, but most of the bridge games here have been accompanied by a couple of glasses or so per player.
OK on the Easter proceedings. It sort of hurts to see another couple together when we have to be apart, doesn’t it, Darling?
OK on Maw’s Birthday. I shall forward the card later on.
I’m glad you liked the last book. I rather enjoyed it, but not as much as you would. It is essentially for girls.
OK on your suggestion about my tummy-aches. I shall look into the matter a little later on. Remind me of it in a month. I am going to join a hospitalization association that the company sponsors at moderate cost sometime in the next couple of weeks, I shall try to send you a bulletin which will tell the story. It is quite good, and I shall probably have a thorough exam in connection with it. Among other things, I shall have to get my teeth cleaned soon and checked for cavities.
John’s visit sort of knocked hell out of my budget, but nothing serious results. I hope we get paid on Friday, for if we don’t, I shall have to hit the savings again this month.
I have to meet Al Howell over in the Bellevue tonight, and he will no doubt load me down with stories of his Florida trip. I hope he forgets to come, for I don’t feel like staying up until all hours of tomorrow. I shall probably enjoy it anyhow.
I had a little better luck today, and the outfit seems to be satisfied with the results I am turning out, even if I am not.
Maw Huntoon wrote me a nice letter which I received today. She informs me that you’re a sweet girl. I wonder what makes her think that? Tsk, tsk.
One of the fellows spilled the beans about some of my articles in RADIO, so they sent over to the plant library for the issues involved. Now they are absorbing the contents, and I can foresee long hours of razzing ahead. Oh, well, I suppose I can take a little more after what I have already soaked up. “Oil is Well” seems to have made a big hit, so maybe they will let up a little.
The tummy-aches are probably due to a different food and harder work. Most of the stuff I did for Wells was a push-over, whereas this material demands a constant stress of hard brainwork. It won’t be so hard after I learn all ins and outs of the RCA system, but doing the job and learning the red tape at the same time is rather terrific.
I sort of miss my baby. If we can get you clear for my birthday and out for Christmas, I shall be a happy boy, especially if I can keep up my end and get out of debt and school.
Editor’s note: On April 17, 1939, Stalin signs a pact, aligning Russia with Britain and France against Nazi Germany.
Also, in April 1939, the U.S. military war planners completed their initial assessment of the potential threats from Germany, Italy and Japan. Their concern was the build-up of Naval forces by Japan in the Pacific and fear that if Germany and Italy joined forces and established a foothold in South or Central America, there would be risk of invasion. They established a series of “Rainbow” plans to prepare for the possible scenarios. “The most limited plan (RAINBOW 1) would provide for the defense of the Western Hemisphere south to the bulge of Brazil (10� south latitude) the Western Hemisphere being taken to include Greenland (but not Iceland, the Azores, or the Cape Verde Islands) to the east, and American Samoa, Hawaii, and Wake (but not Guam or the Philippines) to the west.” These plans were further refined by June 1930.
This plan also included a much needed build up in the Air Force, Army and Navy resources to protect the western hemisphere. Manufacture of airplanes, ships and military equipment became an urgent priority.
4/17/39 #1
Baby Girl:
Don’t be frightened by the special, as everything is all right. I was a bad boy, and didn’t find the time to write you yesterday, and I knew that would worry if you didn’t hear from me. So I hope this gets there either tonight or tomorrow morning. Looking at the weather, it doesn’t look like there will be much sky traffic today.
Saturday I bought a couple of reams of paper and went to work on my short story. I also wrote Aiken and asked if I could go up there next week-end, or sometime soon.
Believe it or not, I finally got in touch with Rettenmeyer. I was invited to drop in on his office Tuesday. With the invitation, I shan’t feel that I am taking his time.
Went to the show yesterday which was lousy. The stage show was good. Chick Webb blew hell out of everything with his drums, Ella Fitzgerald swung the pants off of Deep Purple [Click link to listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nghXDkurkjk ], St. Louis Blues, and a bunch of others. Peg Leg Bates put on a swell tap show, in spite of being minus a leg, as also did Chuck and the Chuckles.
Peg-Leg Bates
Then the orchestra went to town on a jam session. No kidding, we had jitterbugs in the aisle and everything! Gee, I wish you had been with me. You would have gotten a big kick out of it.
Well, Darling, it is time for breakfast, and I have to walk about 8 blocks to the Post Office before I eat. I shall try to write more completely this afternoon or tomorrow night. Good-night, precious, –I hope you’re getting this tonight. I’m waiting for you, and always shall until I finally have you.
Your husband, Cy
# 2
Precious Girl:
Well, here it is, the same day, and I’m writing to you again. I have two of your letters to answer, for that little note this morning didn’t say much.
As concerns the Thursday trip to NYC, you probably know that it was all a mistake. I do want to see the kids, though, so I hope I hit them on their way home.
Precious, three days to go! We have put in nearly a year of restraint on an order of which we can both be justly proud. For my part, it has not only shown me how much I care for you, but also, and of more importance, it has shown me how deeply rooted that care is.
I shall try to drop Sam (you said Bill, but it is Sam) Vandivert a line sometime this evening. I doubt if JH would make the trip, although if he is ever down here again, we might hook up for a while.
You should have the card for Mrs. Huntoon by now. I couldn’t find another envelope large enough to house it, so you will have to scare one up.
OK, precious, on the holidays and stuff. Keep me posted and I shall be a good boy. I suggested to JH* that he have a picture made for his mother’s birthday.
I wish I had Andy’s confidence. I feel like I’m sitting on a volcano. I shall make few definite plans about anything until that is cleared up. I suppose when it is we should wait until fall to make a formal announcement. I have no objections to telling your folks, but I would wait until we are ready to announce our engagement. Then we could give her the chance if she wants to, and if she won’t do it, I would be more than pleased to have Doris and Cliff do the honors. I’m afraid I shall always consider them as my real in-laws. We would make a lot of our friends embarrassed if we announced it as soon as we both want to. By fall I should be able to handle the ring situation a little more effectively.
Did you get to see Orrin? I’ll bet it was good.
So you like my idea! Well, good! I feel insanely happy about it, so let’s not think any more about it until the present battle is cleared up. When it is all out of the way, we shall elaborate on this other plan. As you say, we will have to watch out for that little blonde.
I can’t see a chance of being able to stand up under a strain like the one we underwent in those 8 months or so in Chicago, and we can handle the marriage situation if we use our heads.
For goodness sakes. Of course I have no objection to your wanting your things from the farm. Of course, I yet don’t feel that you have much chance of getting them, but there is the chance that once this other is cleared away, your Mother will be so sick and tired of the Kennedy family that she will accept anything, even me! Who knows, maybe after I tell her to go to and stay a couple of times she will begin to like me.
I got a card from Fritz tonight saying he was going to be out here most of the week. I shall call him and see if I can’t have dinner with him once at least. His hours are not so hot for much of anything as he works until 10 P.M. But it certainly was good to hear from him, and I shall get a big kick out of talking to the old horse-thief.
Don’t ever tell him I told you, and I mean that, but Johny says that he misses you more than anything he left in the middle west. I must be nuts, but I’m not the least bit jealous! I’ll bet we have a lot of week-end company one of these days.
Baby girl, we have an awful lot to accomplish in the next fifteen years, but I’d rather work at it with you than with anyone else in the world. There are a lot of things I could say, but I can express the meaning better by just not saying them. You’re still my baby, and I love you, and I guess that’s about all that we can let count at this stage of the game. Still your best friend, but a lot more, I hope.
