July 1947 ended with my father receiving an application for a financial bonus that Massachusetts was paying to service men who were still on active duty following WWII. A copy of the application was with my father's papers - it was signed August 1 1947.
"The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Treasurer and Receiver General
State House, Boston 33, Mass.
Application For Bonus Under Chapter 721, Acts of 1945 As Amended
All Answers Must Be Typewritten OR Printed In Ink
1. Name under which veteran entered service: Manning John James
2. Present name (if different) ------
3. Mailing address (Present): Assembly & Repair Dept - 400 Division - N.A.S. Corpus Christi Texas
4. Sex: Male
5.Branch of service: U.S. Navy
6. Rank or grade: ???? Chief Metalsmith
7. Serial number: 202-46-63
8. Enlisted: 14 Sept 1942 Boston, Mass.
9. No. and branches of Draft Board where veteran enlisted: -----
10. Active service began: Date: 14 Sept 1942
11. Place: Boston = Newport R.I.
12. Dates of service outside the continental ????? of the United States or in Alaska: 7/45-1/47
13. Date of discharge or release from active service: -------
14. Place of birth: Boston Massachusetts
15. Date of birth: 11 September 1920
16. Legal Residence at time of entry into service: 11 Cedar Street Dorchester Massachusetts
17. Address given at time of separation from service: ------
18. Length of Legal Residence in Massachusetts Immediately Prior To Entry Into Service: 22 years
19. Names and legal addresses of parents at time of entry into service: Mr& Mrs John J Manning, 11 Cedar Street Dorchester Massachusetts
20. If married at time of entry into service, name and legal address of wife (or husband): -------------
Residence Certificate to be completed by assessor of city or town only. If not so completed, applicant Must state reason in block (X) below.
(Residence Certificate was blank)
Residence Questionnaire
Com. Of Mass.
Bonus Div.
15 Ashburton Pl., File No. --------
Boston, Mass.
1. Name: Manning John James Patrick
2. Present Address: Assembly & Repair Dept - 400 ???? Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Tex.
3. Date of entry into service: 14 Sept 1942 Serial No: 202-46-63
4. When did you First acquire a Legal Residence (domicile) in Massachusetts? September 11 1920
5. Did you acquire a Legal Residence (domicile) outside of Massachusetts at any time after the date stated in #4? NO
6. Last Permanent home in Massachusetts prior to entry into service: 11 Cedar Street Dorchester Massachusetts Dates of Residence: 11 Sept 1920 to 14 Sept 1942. The above residence was a Home.
7. With whom did you live at address stated in #6? Indicate the relationship: Mother and father
8. If married, date and place of marriage: -------
(a) Addresses of all homes from Jan. 1, 1940 until entry into service. Give dates: 11 Cedar Street Dorchester Mass 1940 to 1942
(b) Did you own your own furniture: -------
9. Name and address of last employer in Massachusetts prior to entry into service: Bethlehem Steel Corp Fore River Quincy Mass
10. Dates of above employment: February 1942 to August 1942
11. Nature of employer's business: Shipbuilding
12. If you were outside of Massachusetts prior to entry into the service state: ----------
13. Name cities or towns in Massachusetts in which you have ever voted: NONE
14. Name cities or towns in Massachusetts in which you have ever paid taxes: None
15. Did you vote or pay any local taxes in any city or town outside of Mass? -------------
16. Insert here any other information which might help to clear up the question of your eligibility: -------------
Penalty Provision Sec 7, Ch 731, Acts of 1945: "Whoever knowingly makes a false statement, oral or written, relating to material fact in supporting a claim under the provisions of this ????, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than three years, or both.
17. Have you filed for Mass. Bonus before: NO
Date: 1 August 1947 Signature: John James Patrick Manning
"This Certificate Must Be Completed By Commanding Officer
Commanding Officer's Statement of Discharge In Lieu Of Discharge Certificate
Date:
Name:
Serial Number: Rating:
Date Of Birth Place:
Date Of First Enlistment: Married: Single:
Place Of Expiration Of Each Enlistment:
Dates Of Active Service: From September 14, 1940 And Prior To December 31, 1948
Active Duty Dates Within Continental Limits:
Active Duty Dates Outside Continental Limits:
Character Of Service:
Amount Of Mustering Out Pay Received:
Termination Date Of Present Enlistment:
Present Home Address:
Signature of Applicant: John James Patrick Manning
Signature of Commanding Officer: Rank: Present Station:
This Form Cannot Be Accepted Unless Official Seal Is Affixed:
Note: To be completed by enlisted man's Commanding Officer who is custodian of the man's records. Official Ship Seal or Department Seal must be affixed.
If serviceman has received discharge in course of World War II enclose together with this form. "
Note: My father talked about writing to my mother every night but there are several gaps - I don't know if he missed a night and didn't mention it or if some letters might be missing.
"1 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen,
Today begins a new month and we are off with a bang down here. We are now under a hurricane condition and the windows are rattling and it's raining out. The hurricane only a mild one is centered off the coast of Mexico but this precaution conscious navy has us all up and ready. All afternoon we have been laying sand bags to stop all seeping water from ruining the machines and in about a half hour I'll be going on watch for four hours. I guess these people have never been to Okinawa where the 'Divine Winds' blow all of the time. I just received a phone call saying that I won't have to stand the watch, that's good news at long last.
To get back to this hurricane business the powers that be seem to lose scope of the fact that a human being is quite useless when nature goes on a rampage but their excitement over a little incident like this gets the best of them. Such is Navy life for the time being. I have the weekend ahead of me now with little or nothing to do and with this rain I doubt if anyone will be able to do anything. I don't know if you are going to call or not but I'll be standing by down here just in case you do. I hope you do.
I bought a camera for you today, it's not the best there is but at an anyway reasonable price it's the best that they had available. If it doesn't get kicked around or misused it should be all right. It's worth about twelve dollars on the outside but I paid $7.50 for it at Ship Service. I'll try out a roll of film in it and then I'll send it to you. I hope you will like it as it is a pretty good camera. Incidentally I've been looking for a lapel watch and a bracelet but none are available just now. I guess they are out of vogue at the present time but if I get a look at one I'll send it along to you. My aim is to please and as long as you are happy and content that's all that I ask.
Tomorrow I recall will mean a wash day for me as all my clothes got wet today walking to and from work. About eight o'clock tonight I quit work or I should say released and when I got halfway up to the barracks it commenced to rain like mad. I got so riled up that I just kept walking at my natural pace thru puddles mud and rain. By the time I got up here I was soaked completely thru but I didn't mind as I seemed to be quite satisfied. I guess I'm get(ting) childish or nuts in my old age.
I got a letter from you today so my day was indeed complete. I'll have a long dry weekend but I'll make up for it Monday if all goes well. I'm glad that dear Uncle Sam has finally decided to deliver my mail as was about time. You should be getting them quite regularly now that they have started. For writing material you are certainly scraping the bottom of the box but as long as you write I don't care what you write on. I appreciate your letters very much and missing you so desperately your letters seem to be the only lift that I get. Keep them coming! I see that you are starting a savings campaign and I want to thank you. Every little bit helps us out tremendously and although you may not realize it now in a year or two when the fast easy dollar days are a thing of the past all that we have saved will come in mighty handy and we will both be thankful for our foresight. My big regret is that I didn't get acquainted with a savings account a few years sooner when I was throwing money around like the drunken sailor that I was. Those days are gone forever, thank God, but the lessons that I learned I'll never forget. Keep up the good work.
After reading this last paragraph I sound like a missionary but nevertheless it all helps us out. We have a future, you and I, and no one is going to build it for us, that is something that we must do for ourselves. While money is good now and there seems to be quite a bit of it around now is the time to knuckle down and take our share of it and hold it while everyone else tosses it right back to where they got it. Who knows but we may get that break we have both been looking for when I get out. Keep your fingers crossed because when it does come along I want us to be prepared to take full advantage of it. I've explained it all to you before I guess, so you understand the way I feel about it.
I'm glad that you got a boot out of the telegram that I sent you as that was the reason I sent it. I guess if the girls in the office understood the situation they would appreciate it also. As you say we'll keep trying until we succeed or until I give up. We'll succeed as I'll never give up, never.
Your torments I miss tremendously and I only wish that you were here tormenting me now. It gets awful boring and tiresome sleeping alone and I'm afraid that before long the monotony of it all will keep me awake nights. We shall see.
Well honey I'm going to close out for tonight but I'll be around again tomorrow night when we shall have another date via air mail. I miss you so very very much honey and I'm only a week away from you. Please take care as I love you with all of my heart and soul.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always & always
John xxx
P.S. Ungh ~ Here are a couple of more pictures."
"2 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen
Today being Saturday I didn't get any mail from you so I'll just scribble along in my usual manner. The hurricane has passed us by. It was really only a tropical rain storm and it's still raining in intermittent showers around here. The practice I guess will do us some good in case a hurricane does come this way.
I was waiting for your call this noon but I was called away to undo what we spent all yesterday evening doing. It wasn't so bad but waiting around for everyone else to put their places in order began to get on my nerves after a few hours. I don't know yet if you called or not.
I'm going to try to make Confession tonight if it is at all possible as the hours keep changing on me all of the time. I'll see what can be done. It seems like ages since I've been so I think it's about time that I got myself straightened out with my Creator. My intentions are good but they never seem to get beyond the intention stage.
I had intentions also of getting some film for the camera that I bought but with all this storm-created confusion it completely slipped my mind. I'll wait until Monday and then I'll give it a test run. If the results prove quite satisfactory I'll send you the camera and the pictures. There is nothing of any particular interest down here that I can use it for so you might just as well put it to use. Okay by you?
I tried out the travelling iron that you lent to me and after a few minor difficulties I am of the opinion that it might work. The handle keeps flopping over on me and my knuckles are now showing an awful lot of wear and tear. I'll chalk it up to experience. I've rigged it up now so that the handle is fairly rigid but I didn't run it. I'll bring it home to you in good shape when I leave here.
I have decided to keep two of the pictures that you sent to me. One of you sitting on the beach, that sort of close up that I took and the other is the one of you down by the River where you are laughing. Dear girl, if only I could be with you tonight and always. You are about the only subject that occupies my mind constantly day in and day out. Since I left you I've been having that lonesome, aching feeling known as the blues but with time moving along as it is it shouldn't be too long until I will be with you once more. I have 58 weeks to serve until I'll be out to stay. I can't figure these things too close or else I'll go out of my mind as the figures mount up. I am terribly anxious and impatient to get out and get home to you for good so that we can start our own lives together with no departures to worry about but just one continuous leave without end. It sounds simply wonderful and almost beyond imagination but since it isn't I feel pretty good about it all. Our only obstacle is time and since time never stops all the dreams and plans will materialize eventually. Your 26th birthday my pet will be my stepping stone to future happiness. Once it has passed I'll count the days until I'm free of the self-imposed shackles that bind me to this life of constant uncertainty.
Well my dearest I guess I had better draw to a close. I love you as much as I could possibly love any body or anything. I love you desperately and I miss you with all my heart and all my mind. Take care.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always ~
John xxx”
"3 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen,
Tomorrow begins another work week and will end this lazy moving weekend. Some how I dread the approach of a week-end. Although I have very little to do at work it at least occupies my mind whereas this inactive monotony just about drives me nuts. I guess it's the lack of noise or the absence of the radio that has me on edge. My room mate went on leave and took his radio with him but he is due back soon and then with a blaring radio at my ear life will be more enjoyable. I did absolutely nothing all day except lay around. I expected you to call but I guess we had our signals crossed. From now on if you don't get thru on Sat. I'll call you Sunday afternoon or any time that's convenient in case you plan to go the beach or something. Is that okay by you? I miss you like mad kid. Most of the guys I went home on leave with are drifting in slow but surely. I didn't exactly go home with them but they left here about the same time that I did. Maybe things will pick up a little around here now during the week and time will roll along a little faster for all of us. Most of the guys that I know from around N.E. get out about the same time that I do, a month before or a month or two later so we are all sweating it out down here together. After getting to know therm all I find that I out rate them all as they are all only second class. I guess your boy must have had something on the ball after all. How have you been these days? I would most certainly love to be home with you as you must realize by now as I want you and miss you so very badly. I'm looking toward your October visit quite anxiously but it doesn't seem to be coming toward us especially me very fast. I hope that time is flying by for you and that you haven't too many lonely moments in hand. In a few weeks down here things should pick up as football season will be moving in and my week ends will be occupied watching these boys in action. That will be all I need. It's too bad they haven't a baseball club in this town and then things would be much easier to bear. I guess I'm in a rut and full of complaints, please forgive me.
I went to the show tonight and saw 'Cry Wolf' with Errol Flynn and Barbara Stanwyck. It was one of these deep dramas that keep you in suspense until the very end. I liked it after it was all over although at times I wanted to get up and leave. If you go to see it take along something to hold onto as sometimes the suspense gets terrific. I'm enclosing the last two shots that you sent to me so when you receive this letter you should have them all except the one, two, that I kept. Thank you a million kid and I only wish that I could be home with you taking more of them.
Tomorrow besides being another work day should be a mail day also so I'll be looking forward to a letter from you to build up my depressed morale and my inspiration besides. I'm going to close out now until tomorrow when I shall write to you once again. I miss you terribly and I love you my dearest with my whole heart and soul.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always & always
John xxx”
"4 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen,
Another work week has begun for me and for a change time seemed to move right along. I hope that it continues to do so as I will then indeed be happy. Clearing up after the fake hurricane took up most of my morning as a few of the heating ovens went berserk over the week-end and electricians had to be summoned to remedy the situation. We are now going full force once again but work has slacked off completely. Now that a few guys that I know are back from leave I spend my day gabbing with them about this that and the other. It whiles away the time otherwise all I would be doing is twiddling my thumbs or talking to myself. Such is life in Texas to date.
You made me doubly happy today as I received two letters from you. They really hit the spot and without them I would indeed be a lost soul. You understand how much letters mean to each of us and to me they mean that much more again. They are my only link with you and all of the people I love. Please keep up your good work Ellen as you are doing my heart and my morale a world of good.
I guess we are running into a sort of rainy season now as we (are) being frequented with showers every day. I hope it continues thusly as it seems to be the only relief that we get from the heat. The nights I must say have been pleasingly cool since I came back and I'm hoping that they continue that way. Maybe by the time you get down here things will be cool enough to be comfortable. I certainly hope so. I'm waiting very patiently for your arrival and I'm hoping that the passing time will cooperate with us by making your arrival date hurry along for us. I was in the midst of this letter, deep in thought and concentration when I was intercepted(?) by my buddy who lingered for a half an hour telling me the trials and tribulations of fatherhood. I guess he figures that his advice is falling on good ears. We shall see.
The letters that I received were the ones you wrote on Thursday and Friday nights. Again I thank you. I miss you like mad and nothing will deter that feeling but now that the days seem to be getting a little shorter and my mind a little more occupied I'll be all right, I guess. It was the first week away from you that almost drove me nuts. I'm glad that you have a job and Miss Mac to keep you busy because I'm afraid you would be nuts too. With God's help and perseverance on our part we will manage for the short time that I have left and once we are together everything will be perfect. We shall have our worries when I am out, no doubt but we shall have each other for moral support if and when things don't run smooth. As long as I can be with you everything will be fun.
I guess it's all over now except for the shouting for Annie. Give her my congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life. Madeline will be next I guess. By the way you were going to give me an account of your talk with Madeline the night that you and her went for the walk. I guess it wasn't very important.
It seems that every time I leave home it either gets cold and snowy as last time or it gets blazing hot like now. The east wind really is a God sent after a heat wave and it's really missed down here. Speaking of breezes don't overheat that fan that I gave you as it's liable to blow a fuse. You can keep it on for a few hours but I wouldn't advise it all night or all day either. It will cool you off before you go to bed or while you are writing.
I see that you are starting out on the straight and narrow and I hope that you keep on that way. Hannie and Mae can raise their brand of hell if they wish, we will raise ours when I get home. Right now it may get tough and boring for you but I guarantee that it will be worth it in the end. My every thought is on our future and how easy we can make it for ourselves. From what I've seen of Hannie's and Mae's life they have nothing to show but memories of a good time and memories never pay off. We have our own memories and a little more besides so all in all things shouldn't be really too tough for us at the start if we both knuckle down and prepare for it.
One reason that I put that wire in your room was to save your eyes. I can't understand how you could ever read or write with only that overhead light. I planned on doing a lot of things but like everything else time ran out on me. Maybe next time. I see that you have been delegated to be the electrician of the house. That was something else that I should have done, was to get a plastic fuse puller so that you wouldn't get a shock when you changed them.
I see Miss Mac is up to her old tricks again. Oh, well, maybe she had a tough night. Seeing that she is still single I guess every night is a tough night.
One of these nights I'm going to write to Rita to see how she is making out down in Maine. I had better write soon as she will be coming home soon.
Well kid it's time for me to hit the sack and get some shut eye. I wish that you were here to disturb me and then I'd really be able to sleep. I love you with all of my heart and I miss you so very desperately all of the time.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always and always
John xxx
E. ooo
J. unh
E ooo-ooo
J. unh-unh
"6 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen,
This week is half gone already and it won't seem long before it's all gone completely. Time is moving along at a steady pace and as long as I'm keeping my mind occupied I'll be all set. I went out to the gunnery range today but all that we did was tear a rifle apart and put it back together again. One of these fine days they will let us fire them not that I want to so very much but it's the dilly dally way they do things. The range took up all of the morning so it was of some beneficial use anyway. This afternoon I went to work really and I pulled and strained and sweated like mad not that I had to but just because I wanted to that's all. I'll have to try it more often just to keep from getting lazy I guess. If anybody has a knack for laziness this is the place where it can be put to full use. They released about 250 civilians so far down here and quite a few more are on their way out. I guess the appropriations for this place have taken quite a cut and they are out to economize. It's on a trial basis until the first of the year from what I understand and if it can't operate and meet it's production quotas on its current allowance I guess they will give it the ax. If and when they do ax it I doubt if it makes much difference to me as I'll undoubtedly get discharged from here.
They are starting a supervisors school down here in a few weeks and I'll be forced to attend. I don't know exactly what it will cover but it will consume a few hours each week which shouldn't be bad. Anything to kill time. We were supposed to have Captain's inspection this coming weekend but they cancelled it due to our 'good' work during the hurricane. It seems to me I mentioned this to you already. I'll still have the duty over the weekend and I'll undoubtedly catch a watch. Such is life. It seems like a long time ago since I've had one so I can't complain about it at all. It will probably be the last watch that I will stand until next month. I have the duty tonight but no watch although I do have to call in at 9:30 P.M. Such are the way things are going down here in Texas, the spot that the good Lord overlooked.
I received a letter from you today and it made my day a happy and complete one. You are doing swell honey and please keep it up for my morale's sake. Uncle Sam must be using new gas in his planes as the mail doesn't seem to be taking too long in arriving. As long as he maintains his present schedule I'm all set. My finances are a bit low at present but I'll send you that camera and some pictures in the near future. If I own the camera and buy the film you can bet that I'll be in most of them. I looked quite a bit for a lapel watch but they seem to be passe as they are quite scarce. I still have my eyes open for a nice bracelet for you. I really don't know what kind you want, whether one for every day or a dress affair. Let me know and I'll oblige if possible. Just keep plugging at that savings account and you will finally get started. With Annie and Madeline getting married and Christmas coming on you are going to have an awful battle but keep at it honey.
I waited all weekend for your call and since I didn't do anything or have anything in mind it didn't do any harm. I guess the supervisors are keeping a close watch on the girls these days so if worse comes to worse I'll call you Sunday.
I would really give my life almost to be with you all of the time not just for bed company. Please forget that twin bed stuff because if we ever do get them by mistake or otherwise I'll nail them together. I miss you like mad honey day and night. I'll close for now until tomorrow night when as usual I shall write once again. I love you Ellen with all my heart and I will til the day I die.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always & always
John xxx”
"8 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen,
How are you this very pleasant evening my pet? For me the work week has ended and I have only a long lonely weekend to look forward to. It won't be so bad as it's my duty weekend and I'll have a watch to look forward to in order to keep my mind occupied.
Today passed quite uneventful but the morning was broken up because I went out to the range once again but it was only a practice session. That is all that this Navy seems to have, practice sessions as we seldom get to shoot at all. I really don't care to shoot unless it's going to be a constant job as the range and the noise from the firing range gives me a terrific headache. I guess I'm a peace-loving man. I've been listening to my 'friend' the radio all night and didn't bother to go to the movies tonight. Just listening to the songs made me terribly lonely for you and it brought back many, many memories to me. 'Peg o my heart' and 'If I had my life to live over' are like very pleasant memories or dreams that set me thinking of you and longing for you. I miss you so very very much.
I got another letter from you today and it made my day so very complete and so very very happy to receive it. You are doing wonderful in your letter writing and I pray that you will and can keep it up for my sake. You can imagine how much they mean to me and how they keep my spirits up. Without them I'm afraid this place would indeed be hell. I'm not going to answer it tonight but I will tomorrow night when I shall probably need a little inspiration to help me out. I have to get up early tomorrow and report as it 's my duty day so I'm going to close out for tonight until tomorrow night. I love you with all of my heart and soul and mind and I miss you with all of my strength.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always & always
John xxx
ooo ! yourself."
"9 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen,
Happy Anniversary! We are now old married folks of six months duration. I know I had something to say over the phone in a congratulatory sort of way but trying to think of a million things to say at the same time it slipped by me. I'm sorry I overlooked it as I was thinking about it before I answered the phone. It was just terrific to hear your voice and talk to you once again and it filled me with joy and sorrow all at the same time. I was so very thrilled and glad to be talking to you and I was sad and homesick because I couldn't be with you. It may seem strange but it's the truth believe me. You sounded simply great as usual and my week and the weekend for me is now completely complete. I puttered around all day doing a little of this and a little of that to keep me busy and after returning from the show I'm about set to hit the sack. I'm hoping that tomorrow passes by quickly so that I can get to work once again so that another weekend will approach and another week will pass. If all goes well this month shouldn't be too long in passing and I'll really be on the home stretch for sure.
I hope that you had a good time at the beach down in Falmouth and that your day wasn't spoiled by rain. My only regret is that I couldn't be there with you as I would have enjoyed it to the utmost. I see by the papers down here that Louis Perini the owner of the Braves lost one of his kids by drowning down there around Falmouth. I haven't much to say kid for a change so I'm going to draw to a close early. Please take care of yourself. I love you and miss you with all my heart.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always
John xxx
P.S. Happy Anniversary"
"10 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen,
Here I am once again my pet, pining and longing for you as usual. The days of this month have finally broken into double figures and I'm hoping for the remainder of the month to slip by at a pretty reasonable pace.
I went to the last Mass this morning and upon my return spent the rest of the afternoon washing and ironing. As long as I can keep busy and keep my mind off time I'll be content and won't have so much time to myself. Tomorrow begins another work week and I'm looking forward to its rapid arrival. It will mean something to do but above all it will bring me mail to sooth my heart soul and mind.
It has been terribly hot around here with the temperature up near a 100 degrees but I'm fortunate having a cool corner room that enables me to get the full benefit of the Gulf breezes. Without them it would be pretty unbearable.
I've been thinking of you all day down at Falmouth getting sunburnt while I avoid it all. I would go swimming myself but the sun would blister my hide in no time at all. From nine in the morning until seven at night the sun just bakes down on us strong and brilliant. Winter will be here soon, around November or December and then things will cool off for us I hope. It never does get really cold but after this heat for eight-nine months a drop in temperature down to forty or thirty makes it seem frigid.
I go on watch in about an hour so I'm writing this letter a little earlier than usual. If I waited until I go on watch the telephone and sundry other minor interruptions would leave me at a loss as to what to write and that would never do at all. I've been looking at the calendar figuring out what day in October you will decide to come down and after the weekend of the 4 & 5th any weekend at your convenience will be swell. It's only a matter of two months till I see you again. Seems swell!
I still have a letter of yours to answer so I guess I had better get to that right away. I saved it for inspiration and it's coming in handy just about now. My mail seems to be getting to you in spasms but as long as it's coming all right on both ends we have no cause for complaint right now. Just keep up your good work honey you are simply marvelous. I wish I had your patience to concentrate on a book and read it thru to the end but I guess my nerves are jumpy. I'm trying to read 'Lion in the Streets' but I have to put it down every so often as I can't concentrate. Please don't ruin your eyes reading as that would never do at all.
I've been hearing all the old songs since I came back and the memories get me fogbound & melancholy ??????
Keep bragging kid as your boy tried hard for all he got and when I get out I'll try just as hard to make you proud of me. It may be difficult to get exactly what we want but we will do the very best that we can.
The iron is ok now as I rearranged a few things and instead of the handle collapsing it remains fairly rigid. I can get it back to normal in a short time. It comes in very handy and when things get dull I can always put it to use to kill an hour or two. From such simple things are pleasures now derived. Your porch should be a God sent these hot nights and since you are sleeping alone take advantage of it. I agree that sleeping alone is miserable and I can't quite get accustomed to it. No one bothering and disturbing me all night makes me feel as though I'm being gypped and I am too. We will make up for it in time though so I'm not worrying too much.
Well honey it's time to come to a close now so please take care. I love you with all of my heart and I miss you something awful.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always
John"
"12 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen,
How is my very lovely wonderful wife this evening? I can't beat my gums about current events as I have five letters from you to answer. I don't think I'll be able to answer them all tonight but I'll do the very best that I can. You made my day complete tonight as I received another letter from you. You are the very best of the bestest honey and I love you with all of my heart. Now I'll get to answering your mail. Okay?
All my cohorts are back from leave and they are down in the dumps just as I was when I returned. A couple had terminal leave coming to them in the future when their enlistments were up but now they get paid for it but don't get the leave. The kid from Beverly enrolled at the Boston Conservatory of Music for September '48 but with this new law he will have to serve his time and won't get his discharge until October '48. The chiefs that I know are all married with kids and are trying to get them down here with them. Unlike myself they are twenty year men and after returning from leave they realize how much they miss the family. They have over ten years in and don't want to throw it away as they have a pension coming in ten more. When my six years are up you will be my pension as you are the only one I'm interested in right now and for that matter will be the only person or thing that I will ever be honestly and truthfully interested deep down in my heart in. The Navy has nothing to offer me any more only heartache and loneliness of which I've had my fill. The husbandly advice so graciously given me by my buddy hasn't changed my outlook on life at all. I guess my own experience will have to be the teacher in the end.
You seem to have that office of yours in a quandary as to your 'condition.' How little they know. I hope that they aren't too disappointed by it all when you show or should I say fail to show pre-natal signs in a month or so. I guess we will have to keep them in suspense for a while longer. Everyone is worrying except us it seems.
The big bright yellow moon you are telling me about couldn't fill you with any more love or romance than these low hanging Texas moons. They are terrific I'm forced to admit but since you aren't with me I just look at them longingly and weep. Our day will come along soon and we shall share everything together as we should. Time is clicking right along for me and it won't be too long in passing until I'll be able to say that I'm home for good. It will be one of the most wonderful days of my life. Bear with me kid and help keep up my spirits.
I can't understand how Mae can put up with a whole week at your Aunt Nellie's. If she keeps up that weekend routine of running and climbing it may turn out to be the best diet Mae ever went on. If I had to do it for a week I fear that I would be insane or dead from it all.
I hope that you didn't have to ride the baggage car down to Falmouth as that would never do at all. I kept thinking about it all day Saturday but I guess you made out all right. The cloudiness probably frightened most of the prospective tourists away from the Cape. I don't mind you going to the beach or the dances or what have you, but stay out of the cheap joints and away from wild sprees. You don't belong at any one of them so please stick to your straight and narrow path.
I miss our noon day lunches also kid and only regret that we didn't have them more often as they really were a pleasure and a joy for me too. I know that being with you is all that I need to be terrifically terribly happy. It will all be wonderful kid and it's so worth while waiting for. It won't be too long now until you and I can be in the same situation as Bob and Frances and Harold and Gin. All we need is a small apartment, four rooms as you say and we will be on our way together for a change. We can wait to buy our own home, so we will start small but sure and steady as we go. As for working for a couple more years I guess we will leave that to the will of God. We shall see when I get out what's what and we will plan from there.
I'm glad that you wrote to me Saturday even though you were in a rush and turmoil in preparation for your weekend at Falmouth. I love you for it with all my heart, honest. Saturday the sound of your voice sent a thrill thru me, from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. I felt happy and elated just to hear you once again. I only wished to God that we had television so that I could see your face as well as hear your voice. It's my loneliness and tremendous love for you.
I guess Paul and Peggy are waiting for us to break the ice I don't know though. I wish that they would swap places with us so that we could see how we would make out under similar circumstances. I guess Paul's brother doesn't believe in wasting time. Maybe Paul will have a change in heart.
By the time you receive this Annie will probably be a married woman and will be experiencing the joys of married bliss. I hope that they will be as happy as we have been although we haven't been able to be together as much as we would like to be. In time we will catch up and with luck pass them all. Well I'm going to close out now until tomorrow. I love you with all of my heart and soul & I miss you so very very much.
All of my love to you.
God Bless & keep you
Always & always
John xx”
"13 August 1947
My very own dearest darling Ellen,
I'll start out with my usual Wednesday night phrase that this week has used up half of its usefulness and it won't be too long until it will be gone altogether. The time I must say is moving along at a good clip and if things stay as they are I won't mind it so very much. I do miss you so tremendously my pet but as long as there is diversion during the course of the day it doesn't hurt too bad. I received another letter from you today and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thanks a million. I also received one from my mother and everything seems to be going on as usual at the old homestead. They have finally put Joe to work down in the market district downtown and they are counting the days until he quits. I doubt if he will though as my father is riding his tail. He is mixed up with a bunch of guys in the Village who don't want to work and he is getting that feeling of 'the world owes me a living.' Tom knows that he is drinking but I don't think my father does, if he does he doesn't let on anyway. They expect that after he gets a couple of good pay checks he will straighten out and I'm hoping so also. She gave me the news that a cousin of mine arrived from Ireland and has gone to Florida to live with her sister who is married and lives down there. She is a trained nurse and from my mother's description she is quite a looker. She is Irish and beautiful I guess just like you. Outside of those two bits of info things are pretty much the same as when I left. I answered her letter before I went to the show tonight. I saw 'Brute Force' with Burt Lancaster and it's really a rugged affair, all about prison life and brutal inside stuff. It was different so I liked it; it's somewhat like my own situation so easy to get into yet so terribly difficult to get out of. Oh sweet life of home!
I wrote to Rita last night at long last and passed on bits of brotherly advice to the girl away from home. Her letter is a classic and I read it over again every once in a while just to cheer myself up. She writes just exactly as she speaks and it's so natural and sincere that I can almost visualize her talking to me, just like your letters when I read them. I'm afraid that I have either a terrific imagination or I'm nuts but as long it's fun and it's pleasant who am I to care. I guess in a day or two I'l write to your Aunt Nellie and Fred once again just to keep in the good graces of one and all and maybe I can convince them to put Mae thru the obstacle course and knock off a few pounds here and there.
I had my records checked today and we are all going to get our 'glory' bars official like. For what I don't know because the guys that earned them all are either dead or in hospitals where they don't make any difference. The Army & Navy have merged and from what I hear they are thinking up a ribbon for that also. Pretty soon we will all look like Tito of Yugoslavia marching around with more metal on our chests than they have it in the mint.
Outside of these few incidents the day passed by but as long as these incidents push it along I won't gripe a bit. I have two letters to answer so I had better get to it. They are your letters of Sunday and Monday and from all indication you had a good time at Falmouth. Good for you, as long as you are happy so am I as that is my objective in life. I certainly wished that I could have been with you rain or shine or snow as I would have indeed been completely happy. I guess when we get our millions we will buy up a mile of beach on the south side of the Cape and spend our summers basking in the sun you getting tanned and me getting burnt or hiding in the shade. Either case will suit me fine.
My dear Ellen you underestimate me when you say that I would turn my back on you because your hair is wet and sandy from the sun and beach. You look good to me all of the time and which isn't the case with most women from what I've heard. you look wonderful when you get up in the morning. Maybe it's because I'm madly in love with you but you do look swell to me all of the time. Stay as swell and nice as you are and you will never give me cause to disapprove. You were lucky to get a ride home as that train ride on the way back I don't imagine would be very comfortable. There is nothing like an automobile for traveling as I well know now. It won't be long now until the summer is all over up there but when you come down to see me bring along your bathing suit as you may be able to pick up a little sunshine down here. The water may not warrant swimming as it's either oil slick or jelly fish but you can lay in the sun of which there will be plenty. Incidentally there is a hurricane brewing along the coast of Mexico but we haven't gone on the alert as yet. They will continue to pop up from now until October or November so if there isn't anything else to do there is always hurricanes. Everyone is hoping that one does come along to blow this place asunder as it did down in Miami a couple of years ago. It's too good to be realized so I might as well forget all about it. The heat seems to be moving closer to New England all of the time but I hope that it misses you up there. It's bad enough for one of us to be cooking instead of both of us. The thermometer down here still varies between 95 degrees and 100 degrees each and every day and the sun light is so strong that it's blinding at times. If I ever get out I'll spend the rest of my years laying under a huge spreading oak and recall the better days of blazing sunshine that I was forced to spend here in Texas.
All these guys I know from New England have a tender sensitive spot ~ New England. I keep recalling my leave and the good times that I had and all the beautiful places and quaint spots and they almost break into tears whether out of anger because they are being denied it all or because of homesickness. New England, Ellen, is the most beautiful spot on the face of the earth, believe me as I know.
With Teresa on leave and Miss Mac off for the day I see that my beloved wife is steering the ship of state for Gordon Supply. Good for you my dear. Who knows but in a few years if we haven't any 'interruptions" you may have the big seat in the office. I don't know if it would be worth it though as I don't think we could find real happiness and joy out of the backs of a laundry house.
Sometimes I can't understand a woman especially in the case of Madeline. Pete opens a small store to get a start in business for some sort of security in the future and what happens - she feels neglected. Does she ever figure where the money comes for dances gas and eats when they go out. Just like a woman. If he gets an office job at forty bucks a week eight hours for five days she'll complain because he isn't making enough money. You just can't win no how. Better him than me I guess but it all adds up to the fact that if you haven't got a million dollars you can't afford to be independent, you have to keep trying. This letter seems to be taking the shape of a book so I'll close for now. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you so very very much. Please take care and keep writing.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always
John xxx
P.S.
Notice my new address
Structures and Metal Div instead of 400 div)"
"15 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen,
Hello my pet! I'm very happy as I received a letter from you and one from your Aunt Nellie written by her secretary Mae. Besides the work is all over and I'm that much near to you. The time is moving along at a pretty good pace and I'm glad and thankful. Besides the work being o'er the month is half gone also. Pretty soon Labor Day will be here and then I'll know everything is fine and dandy. Your letter provided quite a boost as going without one yesterday I was in a blue mood. Thanks a scillion.
Mae's letter was more or less a surprise to me and she enclosed a few mint leaves so that I could get a long distance reminder of Cape Cod. It mad me feel lonely for you and everyone. I'll send you a couple of the leaves so you can get an idea. Mae said she thought she was going nuts writing the letter but I think that she was getting drunk. You called the right shot when you said that she was going to avoid the beach because it was too far from the house. That is exactly what she wrote in the letter. Fred I guess is the only one with any ambition at all because when she wrote the letter Freddie was at the beach having a swim. She told me also that Nellie and Fred were crazy over me, why, I'll never know. They contemplate having a party for me when I get home again. That will be something to look forward to when I get home. Plenty to eat and plenty to drink. Right now I'm awaiting your arrival down here in October in a matter of about eight weeks. That isn't too far away and if time keeps clicking along as it is now it won't be too long in arriving at all. I'm awaiting you with open arms and it will be just terrific to see you once again.
Nothing happened today outside of the fact that it was a hot day and I went to Mass at noon time. The same routine prevails with plenty of heat and a high humidity to help it along. What a life to be living!
All the time I was home I wanted to watch one of those softball games over in the park but being with you was so very nice I never did get around to it. Every so often you run across a beaut especially when there are a few older guys playing. They really do put their heart and soul in to the game and attempt to recapture the spirit of dear youth. Most of them are over the hill but as long as the spirit is there that is all that really counts. I'd like to play some ball but every time I think about doing it I either haven't got time or I'm too lazy. Maybe soon I'll dig up enough ambition to give it a whirl. Football practice starts this Monday so I may go out just for the workout but not to play. Playing ball for the Navy doesn't pay off I learned early in my career and it's really expensive most of the time. I think I'll settle down to the less strenuous games like ping-pong and croquet and games like that. I'm only kidding kiddo. I'll always want to participate in sports for sports sake, and to feel competition in the field. There is nothing really like it.
I guess Annie got married today all right and she & Neal are on their way to wherever they are going. I hope that they have a lot of good luck as Annie has had a pretty rough time in the past few years what with sickness and the loss of her parents. The marriage and the new adventures that it brings forth will give her plenty to think and talk about so maybe she will forget her past miseries. Let's hope so anyway. From your comments on it, extending your sympathies I mean, it must be a terrific ordeal for a woman to got thru. But since you got yourself a good man like me and I got such a wonderful girl in you I'm afraid congratulations are in order. You are wonderful honey and being married to you and being with you is the finest and nicest thing that has ever happened to me, or ever will happen to me, so help me God.
You are so different from other wives, they always attempt to keep their husbands broke and here you are worrying about me being broke. Please don't worry about it all honey because I have money down here in the bank to the tune of two hundred dollars that I can withdraw if ever I really need it. I'm just out of small change is all and I underestimated the arrival of pay day. Monday is pay day and everything will be all right again believe me. What I send to you we will save for the future when I get home as we will need it then and we will be able to get some use and pleasure out of it. These hipsters down here are rich enough and I have no intentions of making them any richer at my expense.
As far as that house down here is concerned I had to give it up for the present but if you want me to get on the list again I'll do it. It would be a pretty big step I agree and I think since we have such a short time to go we will continue as we are. If we did take it, it would cost us about $500 to furnish it and the furniture and stuff would only get ruined down here. And besides when I did get out we would either have to sell it or ship it home which would mean a hundred or so more dollars. As it is now I have leave still coming to me and with you coming down in October we should be able to get together every 90 days until my time is up. I'll get a leave in February and again in either June or July and when I return I'll be all set to get out for good. Being alone you would probably get bored stiff as there are no jobs now down here as the Navy is laying off. I'll show you the shacks when you get here and you can be the judge. After reading this last paragraph over it sounds as though I don't want you down here but I hope you understand. It's for the best.
I'm going to sign off for now until tomorrow night when I will write to you once again. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I miss you terribly believe me.
All of my love to you
Always and always
John xxx”
There is a break in letters at this point - And it sounds like there are more phone calls between my father and mother.
"24 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen,
Hello once again my pet. I'm listening to a Texas high school football game and I decided to write to you before it got too late. How do you like my new official paper that I picked up during the course of the day. I attempted to get some light paper but this will have to be a worthy substitute for the time being until I can get something better. Nothing very much happened today but the week came to a close and to me that's the most important thing of all because I'm one week closer to you and my only outlook is that next week will close out the month so beside another week drawing to a close another month will have passed completely by and since that is what we are looking for it should make us happy.
Everyone was preparing for the weekend so not too much was accomplished but since I received a letter from you I really didn't care what went on. Your letter brought me all of the joy and morale building that I needed and I want to thank you very much once again. I'll have a dry weekend as far as mail is concerned but I'll try to dig up some kind of inspiration so that I can write you a pleasant letter. I hope that I don't get down in the dumps just thinking of you and wanting to be with you. I'm going to try to do something to keep me occupied so that lonesomeness won't catch up with me. No rumors came out today so we really didn't have too much to gab about but we managed to pass away the time nevertheless. I carried on my usual routine and although the afternoon passed slowly it did nevertheless pass away and I now have the weekend to fill up with some sort of activity. Tomorrow as usual, I'll spend listening to football games and Sunday I'll be doing some painting so it shouldn't be too tough to take. I'll let you know later though. It's too bad that I can't pick up the B.C. game tonight but I guess I'll have to wait until next year when I can see them in person for a change. I was thinking today of the binoculars that I brought home from Okinawa to watch football games but I guess they are only picking up dust at home. I'll get my moneys worth out of them in the future though as they set me back a few bucks. I'm just hoping that someone doesn't break them on me because every thing I usually bring home is smashed to smithereens in no time at all. When I go home again, I'll leave them in your safe keeping. Have you been to any football games lately? I haven't seen any for a couple of weeks but next week there will be one on the base that I'll be able to attend. It brakes the sorry monotony. This weekend brings about Navy Day with all of its rigamarole so all will be pomp and circumstance for the weekend. They are celebrating it on Sunday instead of Monday.
I'm going to answer the rest of your letter tonight and I'll let today's letter go until tomorrow when I'll need lots of inspiration as I won't have anything to write about. As I told you last night I'm very glad that you are getting over your slump because I really worry about you when you get down in the dumps. With everyone occupied with their own woes and troubles I guess it does get monotonous and nerve-wracking. By the way when does Madeline get married? It shouldn't be too far away now, only a couple of weeks at the most because Thanksgiving is only a month away. Please please send me some pictures of you in your gown because I'm really dying to see you. If you can (get) some color film Ansco preferably, get it as it will bring out all of the color of the occasion and give me an idea of the color of your gown. I wish that I could be home to attend the festivities as I know that I would really like to attend another wedding with you. As it is I'm afraid that we shall have to await some other occasion and I hope that it won't be too far away. If Norman has anything to say about it we won't be denied but Hannie I'm afraid doesn't seem to be very cooperative. Oh well it's her life and her mind so we shall have to see what will develop. You should know all about that Dude Ranch in the not to distant future and Hannie once again will be in her glory.
As for that insurance I'll wait until I get home to look it over before we do anything further about (it.) Now that we have insurance we are safe for the time being, for three years anyway. We will have everything straightened out eventually and so far everything is moving along at a magnificent rate and if we keep it up we will be all set very shortly. When the sink arrives half of our trouble will be over and all we will have to worry about is a sink for the Callahans and we can sit back and let the house land in our laps slowly but surely. How is our bank account making out honey, is it showing any progress at all? I hope so honey because we will need a little dough for the future. My account down here is building up slowly but surely but I'll be using it on my leave when I go home so it won't be any gain. Too bad! With Mae getting all that dough we should form a partnership with her but by now I guess it's a little late as it should be all gone by now if I figure out Mae's buying sprees correctly. She really can get rid of money like no one else that I know. Like a drunken sailor I guess. She will learn someday I hope and then she will start wearing some of those clothes that she buys. As for your troubles, I sympathize with you with all of my heart and since I'm responsible in a long range sort of way I'm afraid that I have to be sorry as I have no other course. Maybe next month you will be back in stride and everything will be all right. Your description of the symptoms leaves me dumbfounded but since I don't know very much about feminine anatomy I guess your reactions were quite natural at least I hope so anyway because I don't want you going thru all those severe headaches and cramps that you experienced before. A woman really has a tough life and I offer all my sympathy to all of womankind. I guess I'll have to get home and relieve you of all those inconvenient periods for a while that is if you are willing. We shall await developments. Well honey I think that I'll say 'adieu' for tonight and I'll give you another buzz tomorrow night.
I miss you terribly honey and I'm pining away lonely and blue just hurrying time along if it's at all possible. I love you with all of my heart and soul so please take care of yourself.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always
John xxx”
So why are my mother and father worrying about a sink for the Callahans? I know that my folks eventually bought the house but I thought it was much later.
This was the first mention of my uncle Norman Huliston - I guess he was a friend of Eddie Wallace who dated Mary Blackburn, one of my aunt Hannie's best friends. I remember Hannie telling me that they used to go to Novenas at Mission Church with Father Manton - the Basilica would be packed upstairs and downstairs - I think it was on Wednesdays. Norman was not Catholic but after going to the Novenas, he started taking classes at the Basilica to become a Catholic. My mother and father were his sponsors.
Hannie said that after the Novenas, they used to go to Pat Lynches for a drink - this was one of the joints my father told my mother to stay way from.
I found a listing for "Patrick (Sally) Lynch restr 278B Tremont (St) h(ouse) do (same address)" in the 1947 Boston Directory - I couldn't find a picture of the old restaurant.
Pat Lynch's was located where the Tremont Variety Store and the Marriott Courtyard are now situated - just down the road from the Schubert Theatre.
Pat Lynch's would have been where the red icon is in the middle of the map - in the neighborhood of Tufts Medical Center and The Boch Center which are on the other side of the street.
I found the following match book on eBay - it is very blurry I can't make out the top 2 lines but I can make out Pat Lynch, Inc. - ???? Foods and Liquors - Entertainment - I can't make out the next line but it looks like Hollis St. The next line looks like 278 Tremont St. - Boston, Mass. I couldn't find any Hollis Street in Boston.
Norman Stuart Huliston registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 in Boston. He was 24 years old and was living at 27 Abbott Street in West Roxbury. He reports his birthdate as October 23, 1892 in Leicester, England making him an alien - he is an English citizen. He works as a merchant seaman for the Boston & Yarmouth Steamship Co. at Central Wharf. He has no one dependent on him - he is single - he has no military experience. He claims to be medically unfit for the draft. He is tall with a medium build - brown eyes with slight brown hair.
We next find Norman Stuart Huliston of 27 Abbott Street in West Roxbury marrying Vivian Powell of 94 Falcon Street in East Boston. He is a 25 year old Merchant Seaman. He was born in England - his father was William E Huliston of Scotland - his mother was Emma Watkins of England. This was his first marriage. Vivian Powell is a 19 year old theatre usher. She was born in Boston. Her father was James A Powell and her mother was Eva Ross, both from Nova Scotia. This was Vivian's first marriage. They provided their intentions to marry on 8 March 1918. They were married on the 15th of March 1918 in Somerville. I can't quite make out the clergyman's name but his address was 90 White Street in East Boston.
The Hulistons were living at 25 Oakwood Street in Boston in 1920. Norman Stuart was a 27 year old merchant seaman. Vivian was the 21 year old mother of 11 month old Norma Alma Huliston.
We just saw that the family was living at 52 Circuit Street in Medford in 1923 when Norman William was born. They had moved to 77 West Street in Medford when Norman Stuart filed his Declaration of Intent to become a US Citizen. He was 36 and still working as a seaman. He is 6 feet and 165 lbs - he has a fair complexion with brown hair and blue eyes. He emigrated from Liverpool on the SS Ivernia. He is married and his wife Vivian who was born in Maplewood, Mass is living with him. He arrived at the port of Boston on or about the 27th of October 1904. He swore and signed his intention of becoming a US citizen on the 11th February 1929 in Boston District Court.
The Hulistons were still living in Medford at 77 West Street in the 1930 Census - they are paying $45/month rent and they have a radio. Norman Stuart is now 37 - he is a steward on a steamship. Vivian is now 31 - young Norman is 7 and is attending school. There is no mention of Norma Alma who would be about 10 now. I don't remember what happened to her, but I think she was living out west when we were teenagers.
Norman Stuart's Petition for Citizenship was signed by the witnesses on 10 December 1931. He does not list Norma Alma on this Petition - only Norman William.
Norman graduated from Watertown High School in 1941. His yearbook entry states he lived at 154 School Street and had attended the West Junior High. He was taking the industrial arts course to become a machinist. He belonged to the Outing Club, played soccer, and was part of the safety squad. His nickname was Hully and he enjoyed hunting! "Without a friend, the world is a wilderness."
"28 August 1947
My very dearest darling Ellen,
Hello once again my pet. I received two letters from you today and they made me very very happy indeed. I missed writing to you last night and I have no one to put the blame on but myself. It was terribly hot and stuffy and I was kind of jittery so when my room mate invited me out for a couple of beers I went. We went down town and although we had intentions of returning early the time rolled along and by the time we got back it was too late to do writing. I paid for it today as I felt loggy and dopey and my mouth felt as though it was on fire. I'm swearing off for good, so help me, as it doesn't pay in the long run especially the after effects. Someday I'll learn.
I saw about my leave yesterday and I'll get the final word on it Tuesday morning when I have to see the Personnel Officer once again. It's like a merry-go-round when you want anything done down here and no one is certain of anything until the papers are in your hands signed sealed and delivered. It should go through all right with out any complications to hinder it but I'm saying a few extra prayers to sort of help it along its way. There is another chief down here that is under almost similar circumstances, he has to go to California to sell his house and bring his family down here to live and he was seeking leave about the same time that I wanted mine. His wife wrote to him and told him that she needed a couple more weeks to straighten things up before she could leave so I'm all set on that score as he told me that he would hold off until I came back. So far so good.
A chain letter craze has broken out down here and everyone you meet is trying to sell you one. I guess the Postal Authorities have caught up with it all because they are putting warnings in the paper about the penalties et al. It will die out soon I guess. About the only ones that make out in that racket are the guys that start it off as they have the benefit of the quick money fever that overcomes everyone but after a while the fever wears off and no one gets anything.
My long long weekend starts tonight and I have nothing to do but lay around for three whole days. I hope that they pass by quickly because I'm dying to get home to you once again. I don't have to be back until the nineteenth of September so that is't too bad at all. We will have a good time together as always. It is throwing my leave schedule all out of order but right now I don't give a hoot as I'll figure out another one when I get back again. Until I do get home I'll be sitting down here fidgeting and fussing just waiting for the time to roll along. I went to the show tonight and saw 'Desert Fury' with Burt Lancaster and Liz Scott. I hate that Elizabeth Scott for some unknown reason, maybe it's her looks or her talk its something about her that I hate. Burt Lancaster was good as was John Hodiak. The picture as a whole wasn't too bad. After a slow start it came to a fast finish. Sunday night will bring 'I wonder who's kissing her now' with all the old songs including 'Honeymoon' the tune I was always whistling when I was home last time. The movies seem to be my only outlet for all my surplus energy because without (them) I know we would all go nuts, slowly but surely. Now I'll answer some of my mail for inspiration. I recall your first phone call Tuesday night and now that your letter calls it to my attention you did sound rather blue and down in the dumps but your second call was filled with joy and happiness and that's the way that I want you always. I wrote to my mother and thanked her for all the help & advice they so willingly gave us. At times like this their counselling and wisdom and all their past experience in such matters really comes in handy and it will save us from a lot of unnecessary pitfalls that our lack of experience in such matters would naturally create. The house is strong and well built and it can go for quite awhile without repairs so we won't be running into a lot of expense for awhile yet, at least until I get home and I'll be able to do things for it myself. Anything that we do from now on in will be for ourselves and not for a landlord who wouldn't notice it. As for the sink that you are saving up for instead of a new suit don't buy it for a while as they too expensive and I'll probably be able to get it cheaper any way when I get home. My father has contacts where he did all of his buying that will come in handy to us and it will save us a lot of money besides. Now that you are happy over the whole affair everything is wonderful and when I get home it will all be complete. That new car we were planning on will have to wait for a while I guess but with luck we will make out some way or the other. After all we can always buy a car but houses aren't always for sale especially our own. Maybe after I get out and straighten things out and settle down to plain everyday living we can manage to pick one up, nothing fancy, just a means of transportation to help us get away from the heat in the summer time. We will just have to wait and see what turns up that's all. After buying the house I'll have to concentrate on a job, any job that pays decent money and then we will see just how things look all around us.
Gin is getting a terrific lead on us as far as a family is concerned but seeing that she had such a head start I don't feel too bad about it. We have lots of time to catch up on them all. Was Peggie's fears another false alarm? That's about all she needs I think as she is wasting her motherly affection on a menagerie of animals and what have you. Paul seems sensible about it all and since he has to pay for it all I guess he knows what he is doing. Well honey I'll sign off for now until tomorrow night when I shall write once again to you, my beloved. Until then take care. I miss you terribly honey and I love you very very much.
All of my love to you
God Bless & keep you
Always
John xx”
