This letter is misdated as 1943, but that should be 1944.
Darling Hubby,
Received your Dec. 11th “free” mail letter yet today. So your “stronger” feelings for me would scorch the paper—hmmm—Ditto! I had Lou mail off the package today. Sorry I didn't know you needed hankies, but I'll be sending another package off in the near future and I'll include them. I'm enclosing a lock of Adele's hair as you requested, baby, and hope that soon you'll see her personally. She's positively darling and she'd be “your” little girl now. She understands everything! I fill up whenever I try to describe her to you.
I received my check and again it was only $62.00. I'm hoping that $80.00 comes through soon 'cause I find it tough to manage on $62 without working. I gave my mom $15 on the $45.00 I owe her for my coat. I gave mom $20 and $2 extra (my portion of the plumber bill to repair the toilet after Harry dropped a comb in it and stopped it up.)
I finished Adele's pink sweater and she'll wear it tomorrow. I'm going to make mom one, then something for Ethel's baby and then Goldie’s baby. Goldie started her fifth month on Jan. 10th and is beginning to show. She dropped a lot of weight in the beginning and looks swell despite the tummy. Guess that will keep me busy for awhile. I also want to make Adele another fine sweater (she has outgrown all others except the blue and yellow ones I made her and they are too heavy for the house) and a grey vestee for myself to wear with my suit—if I find time. Think I will?
Adele knows how to kiss me lips to lips. It tickles her down to her toes just like your kisses used to tickle me.(Sigh) Incidentally, what do you mean by saying the novelty of your being home would wear off soon after you are home. In the time we were together, (passes and furloughs, too) and it is considerable, that feeling never wore off and I never intend to let it. I thought my actions when you were home were sufficient. I love you so much, darling. You'll be hearing that phrase the rest of your life as far as I'm concerned. Better get used to it.
Ben complains to the high heavens about his life in Australia. If he's talking that way, things must be tough. Harry arrived safely, but they still don't know where he is. When I woke up this morning, there was a blanket of snow over all. As the day wore on it rained and gradually the snow disappeared. The weather today was downright miserable.
I can't make up my mind about what to send Jack N. for his birthday (Jan. 22nd). If I can’t make up a nice package, I'll send cash. Don't forget to congratulate him!
Notice the color of the paper—finally managed to get blue, pied stationary, huh! You've got it, mister.
Got a lovely V-mail from our Jack today. He asks for snap of you, saying that he has a snap of everyone but you as you look at present—and, being so fond of his big “brudder,” he thought he was entitled to one. What ever happened to that large picture you promised me?
Time passes quickly sweet and I'm looking forward to the day when I'll be able to draw you close and tell you of my love for you. If I could only do so at this moment.
Your Eve
P.S. A toast to the German Navy “Bottoms up!” Don't tell me you've heard that, too?
January 3, 1944
Ev, dearest,
I didn't write last night 'cause I got into a card game and hated to quit when my luck was running. So while you are “out” one letter, I'm “in” about $9. Think it was a good deal, Sweet? In the afternoon, after a few mail-less days, except for those I received from Eddie P. and Brother Jack, I finally received two letters from you. But you'll be surprised to learn which ones. They were dated Dec. 2 & 3. Can you imagine? I think I've already received all your mail up to and including Dec. 14, so you can understand why I was disappointed when I noticed the dates. However, I did enjoy reading both letters ’cause one of them contained Adele’s pictures and the other contained a few items that were “new” to me. For the first time, I learned why you decided not to spend that $50 as I had instructed. I think I've said enough heretofore on the subject, and you know my opinion in the matter, so I won't enlarge on it at this time, except to advise you that from now on I will send you the money I promised and no more. That will give you about $110 per month or more than I ever could give you as a civilian. I am not taking this course out of rancor, Baby; it's just a matter of principle. I don't want you to use any money I don't earn legitimately, either for your own keep or Adele’s. If I'm lucky enough to win a few dollars, all well and good, but I don't want you to depend on it for your bread and clothing as you imply in your letter. You say you are “doing without,” so that you might have the things you “want and need so badly.” Frankly, I don't understand that sort of talk. The way I figure, you shouldn't have to “do without” anything unless you're robbing Peter to pay Paul—as I've known you to do on occasion. The thing that bothers me most, though, is the fact that you took it for granted that that money belongs to you after I specifically stated what I wished to buy with it and for whom. If I had earned that money, I wouldn't presume to tell you what to do with it. I look on all such wages as entirely your property. Any money I make gambling, however, is not by any means to be considered earnings or to be used as such. It sets a bad precedent. I think you will see the sense behind all this, Baby, and understand my precautions to see that your past “failing” is not repeated. There is no argument about the second $50 I sent you because I specified that that was “yours”—a gift, if you wish. If you don't understand any or all of the above, Honey, don't hesitate to say so—and I'll be glad to explain further. If you do understand, then this will be my final word in the matter. January’s “allotment” will be consolidated with February's. I'll try to send $30.00 monthly, (I hope for not too many months) which represents the maximum amount I can spare from my regular pay.
The pictures of the punkin were the best yet. Everyone agrees that she is a “sweet kid,” and it goes without saying that her Dad is prouder than proud. But I'm still curious as to the color of her hair and eyes. Can it be, as the picture suggests, that she is a black-eyed brunette like her mommy? She has grown surprisingly, and at first glance, it was something of a shock. I had to look hard to recognize the Adele that I knew. The “new edition,” though, has lost not one whit of the charm of the baby, I knew, and has acquired femininity—to boot. I’ll admit she looks a great deal like me, and for the life of me, I don't know whether to be glad for her or not. Be that as it may, I want very much to hold and fondle her pudgy little self, and it isn't very comforting to send her my kisses through the mail, but I'm hoping for better days. In the meantime, Honey, lavish a “double dose” of love and care on her to recompense for the lack of fatherly affection.
It is your misfortune, darling, that my life in the ETO is very unspectacular and therefore utterly useless as far as making letters interesting is concerned, but I rather like the easy-going monotony of the routine, 'cause, as you know, I'm a very unspectacular guy at heart. I hear talk among the boys about how disappointed they are at the lack of “action,” but I think most of it is mere bluster; they don't exactly hanker after the kind of “action” some of our boys are enjoying in Italy, and I get to wondering just what their conception of the word is. I have no illusions on the subject, and while I'd fight as willingly as the rest if called upon, I am, at the same time, grateful for the present “inaction.” The sands are rapidly running out for the enemy, never doubt it, and the coming victory will be cause for the greatest rejoicing the world has ever known. But I can't forget that the martyrs who made the victory and the rejoicing possible will not be there to share it. Neither will their loved ones have cause for rejoicing. I think long and often of the irony and mockery of war, and the more I think about it, the more I hate it. So, Chippie, if I seem unduly depressed when everyone else is demonstratively happy at the “end of the war,” you'll know that I am remembering the “givers of the Peace.”
I'm hoping, Sweetheart, that tomorrow will bring more recent word of you and Adele and the folks. God bless you all and keep you safe. My everlasting love to my own “Chippies.” Give Mom my love and ask her why she doesn't write to
Phil
P.S. Has Mom's allotment been increased?
P.S. Jr. (as Red used to say) I'm not returning the proofs just yet—and if Wolpe doesn't like it, he can lump it.
P.P.S. I, too, like the serious pose best, but I still think Clare Pruett can do better.
January 3, 1944.
Hello Phil,
T’is now my turn to offer apologies for being so darn lax in writing to you. I have no excuse in the offering. Received a letter from Ev the other day and she gave out with the news of our fighting relatives. Yes, she had told me of Sid Brown’s breakdown. of your visit to Harry Wyman and that he had been shipped to France on limited service, of Eddie's return to the states, of Milt Brown's daring episodes with the Jap rats, but the most shocking news that she had related to me was of Betty's death. I hadn't known of her being ill recently and I'm at a loss as to the cause of her death. Ev didn't go into detail, for she thought that Gloria would and vice versa. I know that when you heard of the Philippines being invaded, you were wondering if I was in on the deal, but as you can see by my return address, I'm still at the same Base. I am doing the same work, but have added responsibilities, for I am Chief Clerk of my section, hence the promotion to Sergeant. Things are pretty much the same with me. Haven't had my furlough yet and don't have the faintest idea as to when I get it. I certainly would like to get down to Australia for a few weeks. Staying in a limited area, with civilization far behind for 16 months is rather a boring way to spend one's time in the army. My furlough papers werea lready in and approved by my Commanding Officer when an order came through, cancelling all leave to the land down under. Oh well, I'm a hell of a lot better off than many G.I.s, so it isn't as big a disappointment to me as one would think. I found out that a furlough to Australia would not affect my rotation, so if the order cancelling leaves there is rescinded, I’ll undoubtedly go. For awhile it looked like the Huns were going to give us a go, but Patton and his army certainly changed the situation. I hope to God that Germany will be crushed in the early months of 1945, otherwise, I can't even see the end of the Japs by forty seven. Phil, I sincerely wish that in this year, you will be able to return to that most wonderful place on earth—home. I wish you all the joy and happiness which you rightly deserve. Please don't seek vengeance on this worthless brother of yours and answer promptly. I once more promise to do the same and this time intend to keep to it. So long, Phil, may God bless you and keep you safe from harm, (namely find bombs). I am still
Jack
January 3, 1944
My darling,
I'm really at a loss for words this evening, and furthermore, I'm at a loss as to what to think concerning the hold up of your mail. Here it is the third day of January and your last letter to me was dated the ninth day of December. That's almost four weeks ago, and it is about the worst situation I can remember. I'm way overdue, so sumpin’ better turn up darn soon—or else.
Harry got his retirement tax from the government in the form of a check for $155. Goldie expects hers almost any day now. That's the one good point about working for the government, months later, you're still getting paid off.
Rae is here for dinner this evening and I'm going to try to get to a movie with her for I’m way overdue on that too, and just can't seem to get to a movie for any money. Adele simply refuses to go to sleep, and since she becomes too unruly with anyone else, I must stay in, even though my work may be finished. I'm sort of looking forward to my New York trip in the hope that I'll have some time all to my widdle self.
I spoke to Dot this morning and it may be that she'll rejoin Snuff for another month, alone. Her folks have been talking about it and she's keeping very still, hoping that they will reach a favorable decision on their own. It certainly would be nice if it could be arranged.
I had an exceptionally busy day at the office and hardly had a minute to breathe. The rush is on—and then some. By the way, I stopped up at the bank before going to work and deposited $40 of my check to our account. I shall continue doing this for the next few months, and then I shall start buying bonds again. Our bank account is up to $250. By the way, I have not received your November bond as yet, and since it is also way overdue, I would suggest that you have it traced, if that is possible. I don't think it would be held off so long unless something happened. There must be a way of checking. Do you have a receipt for your outlay?
We’ve had freezing cold weather both yesterday and today, though today was not quite as bad as yesterday. The days seem to be getting a wee bit longer, for I noticed when we left the place this evening that it was rather light for after six
There isn't another solitary thing I can think of to say, and since I haven't done so badly with this sheet, I shall ask your pardon if I take my leave abruptly. I never tire of telling you, my dearest, that I love you ever so dearly and that I miss you keenly. I'm especially anxious to hear from you, sweet, for I certainly need “some spirit lifting” of late. Once the mail comes through, I'll be immensely relieved.
Your Eve.
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