Thurs. Feb. 28 1952
Dear Andrew and John,
Here's a short one just to say that I guess Tuesday's outing was a success. Ann was dressing the kids when I got home about twenty minutes to six. Five minutes later we were off and the Varsity was nice and empty but before we were served there was standing room. We gorged ourselves to the tune of $4.83, including tax; Ann and I on hamburger steak, french fries and peas with pie; Arlene, Mike and Kathy had cheeseburgers, served in wicker baskets, surrounded and covered with french fries and with a pickle on top and ice cream with cookies for desert. Stevie stayed on the high chair and I really mean on, only till the order was taken, then he was off and everywhere, eating everything. It doesn't sound like much, but we felt very full and satisfied. As it wasn't yet seven o'clock, I suggested to Ann that there was still something in the kitty and how about trying to find an Eagle Ice Cream Co. which someone had told us about and which we had never tried for financial reasons. We located it at 4709 Gwynn Oak Ave., easily reached by heading for Gwynn Oak Park and then continuing round toward town for another mile. You'll have to make it one of your stops on your return because it's delicious and not too expensive. A pint is 40c but a half gallon just $1.30. We were back in the house before 7:45 and after putting the little ones to bed Mommie went to the show - something with Ann Blyth -- and I fell asleep on the couch till she woke me near eleven. So, I am sure you'd say it was an enjoyable evening as far as we are concerned and many thanks.
Nothing in the mails for either of you. More the first of the week.
END OF LETTER
Next posting: March 4, 1952
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
A Shootout, A Wedding, The Show of Shows, And Dinner Out
Tuesday, Feb. 26th
Dear John and Andrew,
I was-all befuddled last week. Seems to me I put the word "'Monday" above the date while I actually wrote the letter on Wednesday, the 20th; also I recall telling you about TV movie previews of Frederic March in Detective Story and you know I meant Death of A Salesman.
Ann told me noontime we have a letter from you, Andrew, which is the first mail of any sort we received since my bragging last Wednesday. I thought maybe there was a mixup or a new postman for there was in the box Saturday a letter for Dorothy Folker and another for Monroe Tucker. Ann had a letter to you half completed, a page or three; I saw the envelope on the refrigerator last night when I returned from school and she said the kids had ground the contents-to-be into pulp.
For a little news of last week, I came home late Thursday to hear THIS story: Three teen-agers from the high school stole a new car from Model Motors and started up Bloomsbury. The cops met them at the corner and one of the kids pulled a gun. When the shooting died down, two lay wounded and the third escaped by running through to the elementary school and mixing with the home bound students. If you wanted to see the car, it was in front of Model riddled with holes. Now that's the way I heard it via Mommie, Arlene, etc. The next morning a small item in the paper said three boys had picked up a car in Arbutus and, with State Police chasing them, came up Bloomsbury and were cornered when they tried to drive between Sheppard's cab place and Model. Two boys immediately surrendered and the other got away as mentioned before but no shooting. Model Motors, by the way, is now Rowley Motors and is moving up to Peter's Garage at Melvin, which has been empty for sometime.
Mike and Stevie got haircuts last Friday and Mr. Cimino gave Ann Tom's address for relaying to you.' He has your new APO 301 and is with the 5th Infantry.
The wedding has come and gone successfully, we hope, and we, who were worrying how long we were going to have to sit and wait for Puddy, were late. We left home about 1:40 and got tied up in traffic going through town. We didn't get to the church till about two minutes after three and Aunt Alice had already been taken up the aisle. I felt like a dope but they had evidently only waited a minute or two. There were about two hundred people and after the ceremony we went to the American Legion at Edgewood for the reception--about five miles away. There was a funny one: we were one of the first in the car and coming around the church as they pulled away--Uncle Lawrence driving. We, and I guess everybody else, thought we'd do a little horn tooting. But, telling me about it later, Sammy said Uncle Lawrence, who gets perturbed if Sam goes over 35, made it to Edgewood at a steady 85. Ten seconds and they were out of sight. The reception was nice and quiet; they had plenty of ham and other sandwiches, cokes, potato chips and beer; and some punch, with and without, which I passed up. Steven or rather Stephen came into his own and was everywhere. I pulled him out of the bingo supplies in the check room before it was a shambled, he washed his hands in the wrong bowl in the men's room, Arlene rescued him and Michael from the ladies lounge and Ann was there to protect him when he slugged another kid a head taller than he.
We left about a quarter to six and Ann said it was a success so that satisfied me. Oh, yes, about shows in New York, Pud had asked me right after Christmas to send her a section of N. Y. Times and she said they thought they'd spend a few days up there. She tried all the musicals without success for this, the end of February. So we got home about seven and had settled down by the time a good Jimmy Durante show came on. His guest was Gloria Swanson and a ten minute section had her narating while they put on a series of her old films back to 1923. And Show of Shows was one of the best; I didn't fall asleep once.
Ann Clapsaddle's sister Kay called from Harundale to say she had a pair of shoes if Ann wanted them. We went to get them on Sunday afternoon and stayed for an hour. Coming back we had a two minute drive past the holdings of your old friend, J. Fred, the owner of Glen Burnie.
This brings us to today; Ann and I were scheduled to go out this evening. The banks were open last Saturday because of Washington's birthday Friday and I deposited the bond, John, and your m.o., Andrew, and got the funds for dinner and a show. But Virginia informs us tonight is dancing for her and nobody can stay-with Arlene; also, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and I promised Mr. Kistner to do his income tax tomorrow night; finally, tomorrow is also the beginning of Lent and Ann has resolved to forgo liquid refreshment and all sweets. I was talking to Ann as usual lunchtime and she was bluish because the house was a mess and the kids were whooping it up. So, here's what I'm going to do. She won't start dinner till I get home because I told her I was going to wait for Abe who had a meeting supposed to last till 5:30. He just called me, not feeling well, and wants to go at five. I'll get home and pile the lot of them in the car and we'll all go over to the Varsity for dinner, which should be no more than if Ann and I went to the M.H. or Pierr's and a show, especially if we stick to hamburger. If I get the chance, I'll drop you another line tomorrow with the outcome.
We all enjoyed the bit about the Red Cross cigarette girl and, Andrew, are Kool still hard to get? Let us know. If they pipe in records or canned music over there, you can't have missed the Bell Sisters. I tore an item on them out of Pathfinder and am putting it in one of the envelopes.
END OF LETTER
Editor's notes:
Pud - Puddy: Ann's cousin who is just married.
Sammy: Puddy's husband.
Aunt Alice: Ann's Aunt and Puddy's mother.
Uncle Lawrence: Puddy's father.
Ann Clapsaddle: High School friend of Ann.
Mr. Kistner: High School Friend of Charles.
Abe (Scop): Charles' childhood friend.
Filmography links and data courtesy of The Internet Movie Database.
Next posting: February 28, 1952
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner
Dear John and Andrew,
I was-all befuddled last week. Seems to me I put the word "'Monday" above the date while I actually wrote the letter on Wednesday, the 20th; also I recall telling you about TV movie previews of Frederic March in Detective Story and you know I meant Death of A Salesman.
Ann told me noontime we have a letter from you, Andrew, which is the first mail of any sort we received since my bragging last Wednesday. I thought maybe there was a mixup or a new postman for there was in the box Saturday a letter for Dorothy Folker and another for Monroe Tucker. Ann had a letter to you half completed, a page or three; I saw the envelope on the refrigerator last night when I returned from school and she said the kids had ground the contents-to-be into pulp.
For a little news of last week, I came home late Thursday to hear THIS story: Three teen-agers from the high school stole a new car from Model Motors and started up Bloomsbury. The cops met them at the corner and one of the kids pulled a gun. When the shooting died down, two lay wounded and the third escaped by running through to the elementary school and mixing with the home bound students. If you wanted to see the car, it was in front of Model riddled with holes. Now that's the way I heard it via Mommie, Arlene, etc. The next morning a small item in the paper said three boys had picked up a car in Arbutus and, with State Police chasing them, came up Bloomsbury and were cornered when they tried to drive between Sheppard's cab place and Model. Two boys immediately surrendered and the other got away as mentioned before but no shooting. Model Motors, by the way, is now Rowley Motors and is moving up to Peter's Garage at Melvin, which has been empty for sometime.
Mike and Stevie got haircuts last Friday and Mr. Cimino gave Ann Tom's address for relaying to you.' He has your new APO 301 and is with the 5th Infantry.
The wedding has come and gone successfully, we hope, and we, who were worrying how long we were going to have to sit and wait for Puddy, were late. We left home about 1:40 and got tied up in traffic going through town. We didn't get to the church till about two minutes after three and Aunt Alice had already been taken up the aisle. I felt like a dope but they had evidently only waited a minute or two. There were about two hundred people and after the ceremony we went to the American Legion at Edgewood for the reception--about five miles away. There was a funny one: we were one of the first in the car and coming around the church as they pulled away--Uncle Lawrence driving. We, and I guess everybody else, thought we'd do a little horn tooting. But, telling me about it later, Sammy said Uncle Lawrence, who gets perturbed if Sam goes over 35, made it to Edgewood at a steady 85. Ten seconds and they were out of sight. The reception was nice and quiet; they had plenty of ham and other sandwiches, cokes, potato chips and beer; and some punch, with and without, which I passed up. Steven or rather Stephen came into his own and was everywhere. I pulled him out of the bingo supplies in the check room before it was a shambled, he washed his hands in the wrong bowl in the men's room, Arlene rescued him and Michael from the ladies lounge and Ann was there to protect him when he slugged another kid a head taller than he.
We left about a quarter to six and Ann said it was a success so that satisfied me. Oh, yes, about shows in New York, Pud had asked me right after Christmas to send her a section of N. Y. Times and she said they thought they'd spend a few days up there. She tried all the musicals without success for this, the end of February. So we got home about seven and had settled down by the time a good Jimmy Durante show came on. His guest was Gloria Swanson and a ten minute section had her narating while they put on a series of her old films back to 1923. And Show of Shows was one of the best; I didn't fall asleep once.
Ann Clapsaddle's sister Kay called from Harundale to say she had a pair of shoes if Ann wanted them. We went to get them on Sunday afternoon and stayed for an hour. Coming back we had a two minute drive past the holdings of your old friend, J. Fred, the owner of Glen Burnie.
This brings us to today; Ann and I were scheduled to go out this evening. The banks were open last Saturday because of Washington's birthday Friday and I deposited the bond, John, and your m.o., Andrew, and got the funds for dinner and a show. But Virginia informs us tonight is dancing for her and nobody can stay-with Arlene; also, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and I promised Mr. Kistner to do his income tax tomorrow night; finally, tomorrow is also the beginning of Lent and Ann has resolved to forgo liquid refreshment and all sweets. I was talking to Ann as usual lunchtime and she was bluish because the house was a mess and the kids were whooping it up. So, here's what I'm going to do. She won't start dinner till I get home because I told her I was going to wait for Abe who had a meeting supposed to last till 5:30. He just called me, not feeling well, and wants to go at five. I'll get home and pile the lot of them in the car and we'll all go over to the Varsity for dinner, which should be no more than if Ann and I went to the M.H. or Pierr's and a show, especially if we stick to hamburger. If I get the chance, I'll drop you another line tomorrow with the outcome.
We all enjoyed the bit about the Red Cross cigarette girl and, Andrew, are Kool still hard to get? Let us know. If they pipe in records or canned music over there, you can't have missed the Bell Sisters. I tore an item on them out of Pathfinder and am putting it in one of the envelopes.
END OF LETTER
Editor's notes:
Pud - Puddy: Ann's cousin who is just married.
Sammy: Puddy's husband.
Aunt Alice: Ann's Aunt and Puddy's mother.
Uncle Lawrence: Puddy's father.
Ann Clapsaddle: High School friend of Ann.
Mr. Kistner: High School Friend of Charles.
Abe (Scop): Charles' childhood friend.
Filmography links and data courtesy of The Internet Movie Database.
Next posting: February 28, 1952
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner
Monday, February 20, 2012
A Sprained Ankle - What's Playing At The Hippodrome - And Wedding Preparations
Monday February 20, 1952
Dear Andrew and John,
I just got your new APO after sending Sunday's Times and a short note to you yesterday so you'll probably get this first. As I said, your letters are coming through very quickly; it takes just about a week, and in one case, Andrew's letter of Feb. 12 arrived on the 18th. I learned all this on the 'phone from Ann yesterday because Monday I had only fifteen minutes off for lunch and nothing for supper because Doctor stayed late and I was late for school; and I rolled into bed as soon as I got home. I also heard about and saw this morning the shoe Andrew gave Arlene. Ann tells me she got, that is, Arlene got Andrew's letter Monday and begged to put his enclosure toward a pair we were waiting till the first of the month to provide. So, everybody's happy and we've noticed that except for some time outs, clothes are beginning to take the place of comic books with her. Arlene may have written you; she came down on her ankle playing basketball again and was off it for two days, last Thursday and Friday, I think. She could hobble a little Saturday and Sunday and Monday it disappeared. You couldn't get your hands around it.
Before I forget it, if there's anything we can send you, please ask for it, if you think it will get through OK. I am anxious to see if you receive the medals I put in yesterday's note. I recall one of you said something about 616 film and I shipped out air mail today one roll to this new APO, so let's see what happens.
We haven't heard a thing from Sam French, John, which might be a good sign. We just got in a chart today of new rates for RCA radio telegrams all over the world and I see the Korea charge is low enough to send a sentence or so; but that's stupid because the address is California; or do you think if something should be sent to the APO address but paid to where you are, it would continue by radio telegraph. I doubt it.
We received your money order today, Andrew, and that takes care of both of you on the refrigerator. The overage on John's bond I am putting to the TV, which by the way is working fine but Ann had the fellow drop in last week just to check it over; he is going to return soon with the little springs for the knobs and says he will give it a tune up on general principles right in the home. And without any excuses, for once, I'm going to take your gift Andrew and next week (I hope) will take Mommie to dinner and perhaps a show. I think it's a pretty good time because Greatest Show on Earth opens at the Keith's today. I haven't looked at a local movie ad for sometime but I'm sure Meet Danny Wilson is in town and some other picture with Shelly Winters. The Hipp has sunk to new lows, playing double features like last week's The Hunchback of Notre Dame coupled with The Cat People. The movie industry, I presume, is advertising on TV with short subject or rather previews of coming attractions. All during January, at station break time, they have been giving about 45 seconds worth of Frederic March in Detective Story which I don't believe is anywhere yet.
Each day for the past several weeks as we passed Paradise, either in Abe's car or ours, Abe tells me Dolly was standing on the corner. Today, in Abe's car, I saw her but she wasn't looking. We'll have to give her a call; maybe tonight.
Ann is all pepped up on this Puddy wedding thing; feels she sort of initiated it. She saw a dress on sale in last Thursday's paper and had it sent out; wrong size, so Saturday morning I drove her in with Mike, Kathy and Stephen and around the block till she exchanged it. We got home and it was still the wrong size. Went back again that afternoon and Virginia rode with us (gave her the check, by the way) and this time success. Ann called Aunt Alice yesterday to see what we could give Pud (under five bucks) and was told she has everything. Five of her girl friends have given her showers besides all the gifts from relatives and there isn't a piece of electrical equipment or material she doesn't possess including seven electric clocks. We thought maybe a table cloth for her $300 table but she already has five. So our contribution is going to be a couple of sheets. You remember me telling you about Penny Sue's husband, Billy. His sister, Honey, is a registered nurse. She and Pud went to school together and started in nursing till Pud dropped out. She is married to a fellow who used to be a captain or something in the air corps but I believe he is out. Anyway, the story is she has a one year old baby and two weeks ago was sent back here to a T.B. hospital or maybe a year with her husband and babe in Pittsburgh. The doctor was treating her for a virus infection. That family is having its troubles, too.
Same old aches and pains still with us. The kids are fine in the day time but have that cough during the night. Ann's bursitis in her arm has been plaguing her but gets better when we talk of going out next week.
B. Herbert called here this noontime with a proposition to teach one night a week - Wednesday - at Bainbridge. He is starting a Class of 25 Navy men and for the 90 mile trip each week including teaching and toll bridge he is offering $10. I said no and besides I don't want 3 nights a week. His profit, as I figure it, should come to about $700 a month and he has no expense.
I only wish our letters were getting through with the same smoothness as your. Ann picked one out of our box on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week; two on Monday and one on Tuesday this week. I almost forgot to tell you Bernard called about a week ago to say he had heard from you. Still no Times daily but the Sunday editions, if you get them, give a summary of a short.
END OF LETTER
Editor's notes:
The Keith is a movie theatre and the "Hipp" is the Hippodrome Theatre
Doctor (Burton): Charles' primary employer. Charles also was an evening instructor for the Baltimore Institute Business School.
Sam French: a publisher. John is an amateur playwright.
Dolly: Charles' cousin.
Aunt Alice: Ann's Aunt and Puddy's mother.
Pud - Puddy: Ann's cousin who is to be married.
Virginia: friend of John.
B Herbert (Brown): Head of the Baltimore Institute.
Bernard: friend of John's.
Next posting: February 26, 1952
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner
Dear Andrew and John,
I just got your new APO after sending Sunday's Times and a short note to you yesterday so you'll probably get this first. As I said, your letters are coming through very quickly; it takes just about a week, and in one case, Andrew's letter of Feb. 12 arrived on the 18th. I learned all this on the 'phone from Ann yesterday because Monday I had only fifteen minutes off for lunch and nothing for supper because Doctor stayed late and I was late for school; and I rolled into bed as soon as I got home. I also heard about and saw this morning the shoe Andrew gave Arlene. Ann tells me she got, that is, Arlene got Andrew's letter Monday and begged to put his enclosure toward a pair we were waiting till the first of the month to provide. So, everybody's happy and we've noticed that except for some time outs, clothes are beginning to take the place of comic books with her. Arlene may have written you; she came down on her ankle playing basketball again and was off it for two days, last Thursday and Friday, I think. She could hobble a little Saturday and Sunday and Monday it disappeared. You couldn't get your hands around it.
Before I forget it, if there's anything we can send you, please ask for it, if you think it will get through OK. I am anxious to see if you receive the medals I put in yesterday's note. I recall one of you said something about 616 film and I shipped out air mail today one roll to this new APO, so let's see what happens.
We haven't heard a thing from Sam French, John, which might be a good sign. We just got in a chart today of new rates for RCA radio telegrams all over the world and I see the Korea charge is low enough to send a sentence or so; but that's stupid because the address is California; or do you think if something should be sent to the APO address but paid to where you are, it would continue by radio telegraph. I doubt it.
We received your money order today, Andrew, and that takes care of both of you on the refrigerator. The overage on John's bond I am putting to the TV, which by the way is working fine but Ann had the fellow drop in last week just to check it over; he is going to return soon with the little springs for the knobs and says he will give it a tune up on general principles right in the home. And without any excuses, for once, I'm going to take your gift Andrew and next week (I hope) will take Mommie to dinner and perhaps a show. I think it's a pretty good time because Greatest Show on Earth opens at the Keith's today. I haven't looked at a local movie ad for sometime but I'm sure Meet Danny Wilson is in town and some other picture with Shelly Winters. The Hipp has sunk to new lows, playing double features like last week's The Hunchback of Notre Dame coupled with The Cat People. The movie industry, I presume, is advertising on TV with short subject or rather previews of coming attractions. All during January, at station break time, they have been giving about 45 seconds worth of Frederic March in Detective Story which I don't believe is anywhere yet.
Each day for the past several weeks as we passed Paradise, either in Abe's car or ours, Abe tells me Dolly was standing on the corner. Today, in Abe's car, I saw her but she wasn't looking. We'll have to give her a call; maybe tonight.
Ann is all pepped up on this Puddy wedding thing; feels she sort of initiated it. She saw a dress on sale in last Thursday's paper and had it sent out; wrong size, so Saturday morning I drove her in with Mike, Kathy and Stephen and around the block till she exchanged it. We got home and it was still the wrong size. Went back again that afternoon and Virginia rode with us (gave her the check, by the way) and this time success. Ann called Aunt Alice yesterday to see what we could give Pud (under five bucks) and was told she has everything. Five of her girl friends have given her showers besides all the gifts from relatives and there isn't a piece of electrical equipment or material she doesn't possess including seven electric clocks. We thought maybe a table cloth for her $300 table but she already has five. So our contribution is going to be a couple of sheets. You remember me telling you about Penny Sue's husband, Billy. His sister, Honey, is a registered nurse. She and Pud went to school together and started in nursing till Pud dropped out. She is married to a fellow who used to be a captain or something in the air corps but I believe he is out. Anyway, the story is she has a one year old baby and two weeks ago was sent back here to a T.B. hospital or maybe a year with her husband and babe in Pittsburgh. The doctor was treating her for a virus infection. That family is having its troubles, too.
Same old aches and pains still with us. The kids are fine in the day time but have that cough during the night. Ann's bursitis in her arm has been plaguing her but gets better when we talk of going out next week.
B. Herbert called here this noontime with a proposition to teach one night a week - Wednesday - at Bainbridge. He is starting a Class of 25 Navy men and for the 90 mile trip each week including teaching and toll bridge he is offering $10. I said no and besides I don't want 3 nights a week. His profit, as I figure it, should come to about $700 a month and he has no expense.
I only wish our letters were getting through with the same smoothness as your. Ann picked one out of our box on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week; two on Monday and one on Tuesday this week. I almost forgot to tell you Bernard called about a week ago to say he had heard from you. Still no Times daily but the Sunday editions, if you get them, give a summary of a short.
END OF LETTER
Editor's notes:
The Keith is a movie theatre and the "Hipp" is the Hippodrome Theatre
Doctor (Burton): Charles' primary employer. Charles also was an evening instructor for the Baltimore Institute Business School.
Sam French: a publisher. John is an amateur playwright.
Dolly: Charles' cousin.
Aunt Alice: Ann's Aunt and Puddy's mother.
Pud - Puddy: Ann's cousin who is to be married.
Virginia: friend of John.
B Herbert (Brown): Head of the Baltimore Institute.
Bernard: friend of John's.
Next posting: February 26, 1952
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Accident at the Alpha, A Burning Bush and A Downtown Dinner
Tuesday, February 12, 1952Dear Andrew and John,
We received John's letter dated February 2 or was it the 3rd; anyway, it came on Saturday and the photo of Gen Pope arrived yesterday. I hope Andrew is back in shape once more; they tell me the woosy feeling leaves the moment you step off the boat but I wouldn't know. I'll clear up a couple of questions in John's letter first and then deal with the news. About the cash for the play, I have now asked Virginia three times to let me know how I should draw a check but she keeps saying wait till the bond is cashed. I am now going to make it payable to her and will get it off not later than tomorrow. And on the refrigerator, I have a statement from Sears which shows the initial cost was $215.75 and on January 20th I made the 21st payment totaling $189 which leaves only $9 for February, $9 for March and $8.75 for April. So there was more than enough in the bond, John.
Last Thursday was a school night but Ann needed groceries so she locked Arlene in with the kids and went to the Food Fair. Coming back the bottom fell out of her bag right in front of the Alpha and $8 worth of groceries spilled on the sidewalk. A bottle of liquid starch broke along with a quart of milk, a jar of grape preserves and several jars of baby food. The army came to her immediate rescue, she said, and two sargents helped her to stack the salvage against the
building. (Catonsville is filthy with the boys these days. I don't believe we've told you that a Headquarters company has taken over St. Timothy's, working out of Meade on something classified and they've spread gravel on that nice hockey field on Ingleside for parking facilities and loused up other things as well) Back to, Ann, there she stood while an Alpha usher mopped up the goo. For a happy ending, Patsy Riordan came along with her wagon and wheeled the loot home. Good old Ann Scannell had been looking out her apartment window wherever or wherever that is and 'phoned for the help,Sunday, Mommie felt like a taste of the country again and we drove out as far as Doctor's farms. On the way out we visited the Clapsaddles--Ann and Vickie, that is. To catch you up on them, you may remember that Earl left Detroit last fall and found the perfect job in New York and Ann took over her brother Walt's apartment at her Mom's house. So Earl came down to see her once in awhile, even Christmas, but finally quit (the job) the middle of January and came to Baltimore where he planned to lay around just resting for a few weeks and then definitely settle here. One fellow here in town offered him $200 a week to start, in full charge of the plant, but he must consider it as a permanent arrangement, which was not for Earl. When we got out there on Sunday, we were told Earl decided last week that Detroit is still the place where he is once again and where he plans to stay for a few months to build up enough capital to return to Baltimore to seek THE JOB. Several weeks ago Earl turned his Ann loose on furnishing their apartment--told her to do it up brown and hang the cost because they didn't know when they would be able to pay for it anyway. It is really attractive, as would be yours, if you had played with $2,000 worth of stuff.
We had our first taste of the February winds that are supposed to come in March. Yesterday, gusts of 50 and 55 miles per hour, so the papers said, tore the trellis nearest the front door completely off. I looked it over this morning when I took the trash out and it can be put back in shape without too much trouble. You know Ann; never thinking, she tried to burn a few tons of paper down in the corner of the yard. One puff of wind and she had fifty feet of burning hedge on her hands. Two dozen school kids, Dick Bellis and plenty of water took care of this one but I'm sure the hedge won't need cutting till late summer. Ann's in a bit of a stew anyway; here it is ten days till Sam and Pud's wedding and she hasn't heard from them nor received an invitation.
Stephen, old slob, has added a third -word to his vocabulary which now totals Mom, Dad and burp. Kathy spent another two nights last week coughing for an hour at a time without much let-up and Mike came down with an ear infection Sunday night. Ann kept him on a heating pad all day yesterday and it broke at supper time and the fever left him. Arlene was also home from school yesterday with something. On the good side, next time I'll have a couple of pictures for you.
I think Sunday was Uncle Andy's birthday but we haven't heard anything more from them.
I brought the car this morning as Abe has a holiday for Abe Lincoln. Virginia is also off Dee told me when I picked her up at Holmhurst and brought her in to Maryland General. She and Virginia have volunteered to baby sit if I ever get my income tax refund which we figure is enough for a show and dinner at the Marling House or Pierre's. Ann still doesn't believe it but I just have to do it because May will make three years since we were really downtown alone together.
As you can see from the typing, I'm trying to finish this before time gives out. Everybody sends hello and Ann says she will follow up when conditions permit. Mr. Beesemyer has brought his wife on from California. Where this ties in is that we used to alternate on the New York Times which is why I haven't been getting it so frequently any more. The days I ride with Abe I pick it up.
END OF LETTER
Editor's notes:
John is an amateur playwright and must supply cash for a script review
The Alpha is a movie theater in Catonsville
Abe: lifelong friend of Charles
Mr. Beesmeyer: worked for Charles' employer
Dick Bellis: next door neighbor
Ann Clapsaddle: Ann's High school friend
Pud - Puddy: Ann's cousin who is to be married
Patsy Riordan, Ann Scannell: friends of the family
Uncle Andy: Charles' Uncle
Virginia and Dee: friends of John
Next posting: February 20, 1952
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner
Sunday, February 5, 2012
A Hat Trip, Measles, New Houses and a Birthday
Tuesday February 5, 1952Dear Andrew and John,
We receive two of those form cards yesterday from Fort Lee, one in the name of each of you, to inform us of your new address. John's War Bond No. 2 arrived the end of last week and that's all in the way of mail for the past seven days. I've made a file for each which at the moment contains income tax forms and little else.
I'm writing this at lunchtime and had just finished part of the above paragraph when Harry Hahn beeped outside and I rode down Charles Street with him to drop a hat at Schoen-Russell's because he can't park. Cousin Claire took the package, said to say hello, and also said they had a lot of visitors on Sunday; Mary dropped in on them with all her brood. I may have told you Aunt Hannah had asked me the week before if we had heard from Mary as she had not.
Just to keep it going in the family, Stephen came down with measles last Thursday but yesterday seemed to be back in the groove.
Fred Trinkle sends regards; met him last Friday morning at church; saw Virginia and Dee at 7 on Sunday when we awoke too late for Mommie to make the first one; and received a wedding invitation from Winnie which says she is marrying a Carvel Kenneth Hatfield on February 16 at St. Mark's.
Because of Stevie we didn't get out much over the weekend but Saturday afternoon, when the temperature was in the 60's, we took a short ride and came by the housing development called Academy Heights which they have put all over the front lawn at Mt. de Sales. They have over 500 row brick homes in there and some of them are within a few hundred feet of the front of the school. There were several exhibition houses and no one around so Ann suggested we look in just for the fun of it. It's nice to see something so new. They had three bedrooms, I mean bedrooms and a bath upstairs and a basement eight foot high completely asphalt tiled. The gas furnace is only as big as a fair sized trunk and down there have knotty pine walls and a bathroom with just a shower. It is level with the ground entrance in the rear. Ann had you already all fixed up down there (you being willing, of course). Remember now, the entire house and back yard is no longer than our house plus the little bit in front to the sidewalk. So again, just for the fun of it, we went to the manager's office and learned these sad details. They only want $13,000 PLUS a $96 ground rent which means you can buy the land after five years for another $1,600; down payment is $3,800 & $79 per month. Sunday, we saw a tiny new ranch house up at the junction with a sign saying drastic reduction in price. It turned out to be $30,000 plus ground rent. So, we've given up.
Kathy had her birthday Sunday. Ann resurrected the baby doll Cousin Claire had given for Christmas and which Ann had put away Christmas night for this reason. Michael, Kathy and I have colds; Ann says she will get a pen in her hands again one of these evenings, but I guess Arlene has shot her bolt for '52.
END OF LETTER
Editor's notes:
Harry Hahn: Charles and Harry worked for the same employer
Cousin Claire worked as a sales lady at Schoen-Russell
Fred, Virginia, Dee and Winnie: friends of John
Next posting: February 12, 1952
Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner
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