Uncle Andy Visits Too Soon

Friday, August 29

Dear Andrew and John,

I just finished reading your letter of the 23rd, Andrew, and the copies of the letters, and had to drop you my two cents worth. I think you're absolutely right and I hope you agree with me, John. If I can do anything further or if anything seems to develop from it unfavorable to you, I'm going to send these copies to Congressman Fallon from here in Baltimore. I mention him because he was instrumental in having Willis Jones, Mr. Hahn's son-in-law, held in this country for a few weeks and not sent over your way because he only lacked that much time to pull him within the six month period for discharge. He was in the North African and Italian campaigns and had been taken in again under the reserves but he was still subject to go over and several of his buddies did. Just a letter to this Fallon started it off and I wrote all of the following correspondence for Mr. Hahn so I know the fellow worked hard on it. I'm glad this happened in your last months and not the first over there and I hope that they can't make it too unpleasant for you, but if the going gets rough, just think about our front living room which I'm saving as a surprise for you. There's no open fireplace but enough other things to make up for it; a nice sized bathroom and plenty of hot water for showers and baths.

I think I forgot to mention that when we were at the house on Sunday, the day before we moved, I had to go out to Doctor's car to get a blanket, when I heard a car horn and looked up to find Aunt Helen and Uncle Andy. I had tried to call them four times the previous week to say we hadn't moved but couldn't get anyone. Also, I couldn't invite them in and have called twice on Wednesday and yesterday and once today but can't reach them. I dropped Mrs. McDonald a line today and included a rough map of our location. She asked me to do this on Monday when I said good-bye as Sarah is living in the Dulaney Apartments just past Towson and she might bring Mrs. Mac over sometime. Had to go downtown this noontime and told Aunt Hannah we were getting settled and she said she had heard from you. Might be a couple of weeks before we can have her out but we'll work on that.

No word from Schatz about the settlement so well have to throw in a few prayers for that along with those for you. Arlene goes to school next Tuesday. Last night a fourteen year old named Ann Woodward came by to introduce herself to Arlene. She lives down the road about as far as the Morsberger's on Bloomsbury and will be going to Towson High School in another week; which is two blocks away from Towson Catholic.

Ann has a letter for you waiting for my postage. More next Tuesday, after Labor Day.

END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
Mrs. MacDonald was a neighbor in Catonsville.
Mr. Hahn also works for the Burtons.

Next Posting: September 2, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

Mary Eloped On Moving Day

Wednesday, August 27

Dear Andrew and John,

Your prayers have been answered. We're in and Ann's happiness is catching up to the past several weeks of worry. The only thing we need right now is you two. I kept my word on the pictures; laid the six I took on the table so I wouldn't miss them and then walked out this morning without them.

First, I've got some news that overpowers our moving. Mary Bellis is married. She left for work the same time Monday morning, met Francis (King) and they drove to West Virginia and were back to tell Mrs. B. by four o'clock that afternoon. Aunt's are laying all over the floors. We heard about it when Debbie called Arlene yesterday morning, then Ann called Mrs. B. last night and had a long talk with her. Mrs. Bellis said she went up to her room after we left Monday morning and cried for almost an hour and had pulled herself together and was going about her work when Mary walked in and she had to retire again. I don't know how Mr. B is taking it but I'm afraid it's a little bit his fault. Ann said Francis would come over there to visit Mary and I've told you how big and quiet the kid is, and Mr. B. would come out of the house, walk up to him and say, "Well, boy, why don't you say something; don't just sit there with your mouth shut." As I understand it, he figured he would be drafted in a few months so he went down and enlisted in the Navy, counting on having a little time, but he has to report this coming Friday so they're honeymooning in Frederick for a few days. Now I'm beginning to feel old for I can recall Mary yowling on the side porch right after she was born and you can almost remember it yourself.

Back to the weekend, Mr. Beesemyer called us on Saturday and, I dropped by the office Sunday to pick up a letter from you, John, and this morning I got Andrew's of August 17 so I hope things have eased a little by the time you get this. We got your stuff out there OK and stored up on the third floor. There's plenty of room for stuff in that unfinished section; in fact, I believe we could get everything we own in there. If it wasn't for you-know-who we could have everything of yours there right now. They were supposed to come out to supervise the moving in but we called the movers on Saturday and told them to make it as early as possible Monday morning, so we were out at the new house and the last piece of stuff had been carried in by 12:40 and they didn't show up till one o'clock. Things have quieted down mow but Monday was something. We had eaten early--about seven and had to skip lunch, rushing and helping with the things as they were on an hourly basis, and when they showed up that didn't give a chance to breathe. On top of that, they stayed till a little after six and then we had to go to the store. We ended up with sandwiches and Pepsi's and off to bed. By Tuesday noontime, most of the essentials were in place and they came out again in the afternoon till 5:30. Today Ann is not supposed to have their company but Ann Clapsaddle called last night and offered to help wash dishes and is dropping over some time this afternoon. Wait till you see the little 'phone booth under the stairs and this 4 party line is not so bad after all. Annie Clap says when she called the operator said their line is busy now but just give me your number and when the line was open she rang her back and then rang us. Same thing happened when Debbie Bellis called in so it must be a regular feature. The weather couldn't have been more cooperative--the days are just right in the seventies and the nights cool and fiftyish. Peterson's store is one mile up the road past the church. It's fairly small but large enough to be a self-service, push-around-the-basket type. People know where your live and who you are before you meet them; the word certainly gets around fast. And the store stays open till 9:30 at night. On the way there last night we dropped off at St. John's to see Father Doran. His full name is J. Leonard Doran. He wasn't there but we talked to the housekeeper, a Miss McGovern for awhile. She said she's a city girl but has been out there for the past seven years and wouldn't go back for anything. The church is very small. Just one aisle, about twenty pews on each side, holding about four each. I believe there's a small balcony also. She said Father Doran has a mission parish at St. Mark's in Fallston or someplace where he visits weekly and says a Mass on Sunday. Masses there at St. John's on Sunday are at 8:00 and 10:00 during the summer and 8:30 and 10:30 from October on. They also have a daily Mass and one of the Masses on Sunday is said by a visiting priest.

I also dropped in at the Post Office yesterday and made ourselves known but there was nothing there for anybody. When we left the change of address card at Catonsville, we marked it for "entire family" and I noted it is in effect for two years. I dropped at the P. 0. yesterday because we were going in to Hochschild-Kohn, Belvedere, but everything was too high so Ann came back and got out the Ward's catalog. Driving slowly, Towson is twenty minutes away, but you can easily make it in fifteen. This morning I took my time coming to work, went out the back door at eight o'clock, got the car out of the garage and was here in the office by nine-fifteen -- I meant to say a quarter to nine. The big hold up is after you pass Towson and run into traffic coming down town. On week ends you can make the run from office t0 Garage in forty minutes. Mrs. B says it never takes them over half a hour from Guilford. Doctor went down and got us a new mail box yesterday that you can put Kathy or Stevie in without any trouble. The Evening Sun is delivered at 3:00 in the afternoon and mail comes at 10 a.m. just like at home, but at home we got the morning Paper and no afternoon; here, we're reversing it.

In a way, I'm glad your stuff is stored. As careful as they were with wrapping and padding your TV and refrigerator, they beat our stuff all to pieces--same boys. The refrigerator is full of scratches, dishes are broken and Ann's card table set has the leather or plastic torn and the paint pulled off where they piled heavy objects upon it. They also dropped a couple of cartons we haven't unpacked yet so we don't know the damage . But we have all your small stuff, the contents of your drawers, John's uke, etc.

END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
The Bellis' lived next door in Catonsville.
Mr. Beesemeyer also works for the Burtons.
Annie Clapsaddle is a high-school friend of Ann's.

Next Posting: August 29, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

A Chill Before The Move

Friday, August 22

Dear Andrew and John,

We have been reading about the floods and storms over your way and it must be for that reason the mails have not been coming through. The last letter we received was from Andrew on last Thursday, August 14, and that was received here at the office, so I guess the planes have been grounded. It was messy here for a week up till last night, when the northern air moved in following a thunder storm while I was at school and the temperature dropped to 50°.

The Sun gave a column yesterday to the fact that application blanks were now available for applying for schooling under the Korean-June 1950 set up. If they'll give them to just anyone, I'll try to send you a couple.

You probably won't hear from me next Monday; and if I can, I'm going to try and take Tuesday off also to help put things together and Mr. Hahn has suggested that I come to the office on Wednesday. We are still uncertain as to whether the Seickes will be able to obtain their loan but I'm going to, see him tonight as I called Schatz this morning and could get nothing there.

If circumstances and finances permit, I'll unlimber the Polaroid and try to give you an idea of the place by the time I write again.

END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
Charles' family is moving from Catonsville. Charles' employers, Dr. and Mrs. Burton, have promised him the use of one of their houses in Long Green Valley.
Mr. Hahn also works for the Burtons.

Next Posting: August 27, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

When It Rains, It Pours

Thursday, August 21.

Dear Andrew and John,

I'm not making any more rash statements, but by the time you get this we should have moved; if we haven't, we'll be without 'phone, water or gas and electric. Tuesday night this Corbett of Schatz came to the house with the contract of sale already signed by the Seickes. I was a little reluctant to sign but did so, but first changing the date of "on or before" settlement from September 24 to September 15, which means it has to be settled by then. I also questioned Mr. Corbett further and he said they had not yet approached the B & L Association but would do so on Wednesday; also that if it was not approved, then Schatz would take it up with their B & L and if that fell through, they would declare it no sale and return the cash to the buyers. Well, no sooner had I signed and gotten him on his way when the 'phone rang and Ann talked to Mrs. Herrig, who was happy to say her brother-in-law had OK'd giving them the cash and she wanted the house. She hung up and we were still looking at each other when Mrs. Murphy, another Schatz agent, called and said she had what looked like a definite sale as the people had to be located in Catonsville by September 1. So there you are; stewing over this thing for a month and then three possible sales in one hour. I'm trying to put some pressure on Schatz to hurry this one through or at least find out by the week-end if the loan is to he made to the Seickes so we can let Mrs. Herrig know right away. Her set up, I'm sure, would go through much faster, as is the case when you are dealing with a bank.

Virginia offered to take Ann and the kids for a ride out to the house on Friday and Ann accepted but I found out yesterday that Mrs. B. plans to be at the house all day Friday and wants us to try to meet her out there Saturday afternoon to see what Progress has been made as we have only been inside the house that one time. I dislike the idea of leaving the house on Bloomsbury empty for maybe a week and maybe more but Arlene has to be in school a week from next Tuesday and I guess we can't delay it any longer. As for transportation at the new place, until you pick up your Cadillac, we'll have to make friends fast. The Hyde railroad station is within walking distance down Hyde Road but the darn train makes only one trip north and one trip back to Baltisore each day. It hits Hyde in the morning about 8 a.m. and goes on up to York, Pa. Coming back that same day it stops at Hyde a little after five and gets to Baltimore about 6 p.m. There is a bus that goes from Baltimore to Jarrettsville a couple of times each day but as far as I can determine, it doesn't use any road nearby. But there's plenty of people out that way so they must use something. When we were at Aunt Alice's last Sunday we found out that St. John's may not have a high school but they have a senior social club. They advertised in the Baltimore Sun last Saturday that they were holding a carnival and chicken picnic Saturday and Sunday from morning till night.

Abe had to take his father to the hospital again yesterday. His blood pressure was way, way up and he couldn't speak. They had a night nurse on him and he seemed to be resting this morning, so Abe said.

I'm filling out a forwarding address card this morning for all of us and I see it is for two years so we won't have to worry. I'm also checking the block promising to guarantee postage on any parcel post or other literature in case anyone sends you or us anything.

END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
Charles' family is moving from Catonsville. Charles' employers, Dr. and Mrs. Burton, have promised him the use of one of their houses in Long Green Valley.
Virginia is a friend of John's.
Abe Scop is a long time friend of Charles.

Next Posting: August 22, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

Blow Out The Candles And Then You're Five

Tuesday, August 19

Dear Andrew and John,

Keep your fingers crossed. We may have something here. Nothing is definite as yet but Mr. Corbett of Schatz dropped by the house last night to tell Ann the Seicke's had put a deposit of $500 with them on the house. The reason I say it is not definite is that they have not approached the bank or Building and Loan for the financial arrangements. I understand if they placed the money with the real estate dealer with that agreement, they will get their cash back but if they don't specify, they lose the down payment if the financing falls through. So Ann is trying to learn more of the details this morning so that she will know whether to notify the movers for next Monday, August 25. Andrew, you said not to mention cash so I won't, but if either you or John wants to know the selling price, just ask. We didn't get what Schatz led us to believe, but we'll be able to take tare of the mortgage, the moving and Arlene's tuition all right.

Let's get off the subject a little while; or maybe better not for I've just read the above paragraph and you're wondering who in the heck the Seicke's are. First thing last Saturday morning Ann said she was tired of this fooling around and would get something out of Schatz. Up there she went at 9 a.m. and back in fifteen minutes. She didn't see either of them but scarcely had she walked in the house when the 'phone rang, and an agent wanted to show the house on Sunday at 2 p.m. I hung up the receiver and Mr. Corbett, of Schatz, was knocking on the side door asking to show the place that afternoon at 1 o'clock. He came on time with one of the Seicke's, a wife and one kid. I don't know which one it is but at the present time they live right on the corner of Bloomingdale and Bishops in a large shingled semi-detached house -- the one bordering right on the turn. I thought at the time they were interested because they were the first ones who asked to see the cellar and I had just been down there wiping up the last traces of water. From the entrance way back it was all nice and dry. The prospects on Sunday were in and out of the house so fast you would have thought a dog was chasing them, so we knew there was no hope there. Yesterday I tried to get Schatz all day but could talk to no one but Marion. She asked to be remembered to you, but I can't picture her. I had school last night and came home via Bishops Lane, hoping to drop in and ask if they were considering the house as they don't have a 'phone; however, the first floor was dark and only one light on the second so I kept on going. Ann was waiting for me on the porch, wondering why I hadn't called from school. She had left word there and they didn't relay the message. She wasn't excited or anything; it's a sort of anti-climax.

Back to Saturday, we were going to confession in the afternoon but we put it off till 7:30 and Arlene watched the little ones who were poohed. They were in bed by six-all three, so after confession we rode down the Edmondson Highway to Ellen and Jerry's. They weren't home so we continued on over to Irvington and visited with Cousin Anne and Cousin Claire for almost an hour. Cousin Claire said she had a letter--from John I think, and she said you were thinking of living in Catonsville some day. Well, just remember, you're to stay with us just as long as you care to--both of you. Even though we couldn't get your things moved out there, we're not squeezed on room. We even planned the evening of the day we first saw the place that we would try to put the Hide-A-Bed in the one bedroom with the kids so that when you returned you would have a bedroom all to yourselves. The Hide-A-Bed has lasted us nightly for over two years now-no, I'm wrong, it was one year in May, but anyway I'm sure it will hold out for another year or so. It better had. I want to see them move the thing it weighs over 400 pounds.

Cousin Claire looks OK now and is supposed to be back at work as of yesterday. They hadn't heard anything of Mary and wondered because she was supposed to come out during July and take them out to her place.

You're right, we sure do miss the TV set. This last was the longest week end I ever spent. We were back from the Boehms about a quarter to nine and with fooling around and reading in bed, were asleep before eleven. After the people rushed through the house on Sunday, Ann suggested dinner and getting out for a ride. We ate about three and Ann had a cake she had made for Mike's birthday so we invited Jane and Edward in. All morning long Mike had been announcing that he was not 5 yet. We said yes as of early that morning. After we lit, I mean lighted the candles and he blew them out he proudly announced, "Now, I'm five years old!" We decided the drive to Ann's cousin, Dot's, place at Middle River, but when we got there no one was home so Aunt Alice's is only fifteen minutes away and that's where we ended up. We didn't get there till 6:30 and found Sammy and Pud visiting. Pud took Ann to see their apartment and when they returned at 8:00 we headed for home. I came out to get some diapers out of the car and Virginia and Dee skidded to a stop, coming up Bloomsbury. Virginia had been trying to call Ann all afternoon to find out what time we were going to move as she had offered to help out on Monday„ I had to tell her it was all off but Ann got her last night and she was up for awhile yesterday and offered to lend a hand next Monday, if that is the date.

We heard on the radio this morning that the southern part of Korea was hit by a typhoon with 100 mile and hour winds so I guess you got part of it up your way.

Got a nice long letter from Brother Bertin, answering mine of last November 27. He said he has not been in Baltimore for any length of time but during July drove up from Camp Calvert with Brother Malcolm to drop Brother Hilary off and returned right away late at night. Says he is well and still at St. John's Prep, Danvers, Mass. That was last Friday, the day they change their slates.

END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
Charles' family is moving from Catonsville. Charles' employers, Dr. and Mrs. Burton, have promised him the use of one of their houses in Long Green Valley.
Virginia is a friend of John's.

Next Posting: August 21, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

Salad Forks, Ice Tea Spoons and Old Jelly Glasses

Friday, August 15

Dear Andrew and John,

Ann and I went to 6 o'clock Mass this morning and did a little more praying. We're getting around to not praying for the house as such, but only if it's the right thing for us.

They picked up your things this morning at 7:50 a.m. Ann said she was surprised that they were so careful. Each piece was wrapped before it was taken from the house--separately--and then covered again in the truck; also, an itemized list was made and we are to be sent a carbon. There was a $10 charge at the time of pick-up which I believe you get back, but I'm not sure. Now, here's how we worked this. I had called up Johnson Bros. the early part of this week and asked a gal down there if you could get any credit toward extra months of service when you bailed the TV set out of storage. I told her where you were and that the contract had till December 8 to run. She sent a man out on Wednesday to give the set a good checking and said she would cancel the service and date it back to August 1. In the morning's mail, here at the office, I received a check for $16.50, which was darn good of them. So, I'm going to throw this check in our account, from which Ann paid the movers the $10 and we'll count the $10 of that as part of what you contributed to this year's contract; keep it this way till you get home.

Ann asked the fellow on Wednesday what he thought about putting it in storage and he said from his experience it was very and safe there and the only thing he'd recommend was to remove the aerial, which we are safekeeping.

Ann didn't cancel our moving until yesterday morning and that's when the girl at J. Norman Geipe's (I just remembered you don't even know the name of the storage place) told her it was OK to put off the moving but the storage would have to go on schedule as space was reserved as of today. We picked J. Norman G. as they now have a tremendous place on the corner of lolling Road and the Edmondson Highway, not far from Garvey's.

The upstairs is a little bare right now. We have the contents of your drawers in carton boxes and the same with our knick-knacks and a lot of the kids' stuff. You'd be ashamed to see us at meals. Everyone has a different kind of plate. The cutlery is a mixture of salad forks and ice tea spoons and we're drinking out of old jelly glasses.

Another good reason to get a move on is that a week from Sunday, on August 24, is St. Mark's summer collection.


END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
Charles' family is moving from Catonsville. Charles' employers, Dr. and Mrs. Burton, have promised him the use of one of their houses in Long Green Valley.

Next Posting: August 19, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

Four Is Not Enough

Thursday, August 14.

Dear Andrew and John,

No more news-no prospects. At this moment I'm not sure whether we're going to complete the transaction and not just because of not selling 25. I guess I shouldn't put this on paper, but I will anyhow. Yesterday, Mrs. B. called Ann at home to confirm our meeting scheduled for tonight in the country and got around to what was evidently planned as her reason for calling, told Ann we had such a lovely family there and that four was enough; also, that when we met them out there, she and the Dr. wanted to talk to Ann as to what we could do about it. Well, Ann controlled herself till the conversation was over, had herself a good bawl, not because of any effect the proposed lecture would have on minds already made up, but because everything was so near, and by the time she called me, she had herself well under control and was going out there to say her piece in return, regardless of the outcome. Ann's reply was going to be if the house hinged on our personal and religious beliefs, then they could stick it up the nearest cow. This morning she was still determined and I continued to back her up. We were ordered to leave the kids home and Arlene was down in the mouth over missing out on a championship soft ball game this evening. Then, I got a call at 9:15 this morning, Mrs. B. herself, canceling tonight's meeting due to a headache. Ann's happy we don't have to go and doesn't attach as much significance as she did yesterday, but the thing's still there and she firmly intends to have it out before we make the break.

Turning to something a little lighter, I may or may not have told you about Mike and Kathy's daily excursions to summer school. Ann says it would do your heart good to see Kathy get snazzied up, tell Stevie she's going to school and go trotting down the yard. Arlene, already over there, waves an arm out the window when she arrives safely, and Kathy spends the morning, if she feels like it, with checkers, paints and games. Yesterday, right after lunch, Mike came home from over school and got ready to take a nap. He had his shoes off when he remembered to say "Mommie, I'm on Mrs. Van Sant's list to go to California." Ann said that was nice and that she would miss him, being away so long. He said that California wasn't far, was it. Ann told him it would be two or three weeks and hoped we would be out in the country by that time. He thought it over for a few minutes, then sat on the floor and began pulling on his shoes. And asked what was up and Mike said, "I gotta get my name off that list" and went sailing out the back door.

[Editor's Note: The bottom half of this letter is damaged. Read the remaining part by clicking on the image at the top of this letter]

END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
Charles' family is moving from Catonsville. Charles' employers, the Burtons, have promised him the use of one of their houses in Long Green Valley.

Next Posting: August 15 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

The Last Driver of a Horse and Wagon Fire Engine

Monday, August 11

Dear Andrew and John,

Suppose I talk about something else than the house first. It rained from last Tuesday through Sunday afternoon and another storm Sunday evening but it stopped long enough Saturday morning for me to cut the hedge and get some of the weeds out. Mrs. Rinehart stopped and talked for a good fifteen minutes-first time she has said more than a hello. She told me she had heard from one or the other-or both of you and that her son, Dick, is out of the service and working for U.S.F.&G. in Philadelphia and how much he is interested in show business. She says he is 26 and I had thought him a lot older. For some strange reason she also told me she doesn't relish the single life and I don't if that's a hint she's getting married or perhaps moving.

Gid Smith died last Thursday and was buried on Saturday already. Bud came on and I saw him for awhile on Saturday afternoon. He is still in Fort Wayne and now has three children; looks good. They had column headlines-and two half columns in the Sunday Sun yesterday on Gid and discussed his being the last driver of a horse and wagon fire engine in these parts.

Saturday evening the Washington ball game cut out the two movies on WAAM we have enjoyed for the past few weeks so we switched to WMAR from 9 till 10:30 and watched the "Saturday Night Dance Party" with Jerry Lester. He is apparently the star and M.C. for the hour and a half show with different bands and acts each week. This week's orchestra was somebody called King Guyen. Maybe you've heard of him and maybe the spelling is wrong but the music was good; first set up I've seen with two complete drummers and their outfits. Another act was Paula You-Know-Who and the Modernaires; next week, Tony Pastor's music. Following that was the Gunther Playhouse with "South of Pago Pago"--Jon Hall, Victor McLaglen, Frances Farmer, Gene Lockart and someone I had almost forgotten but used to like, a gal named Olympe Bradna. The picture wasn't humorous but the comercials were. At the first break, Baxter Ward, the announcer, was out for a beer and we had three minutes of silence and a blank screen. For the second commercial the lamp in the projector blew out and you could hear the guy beating his brains out while somebody uncapped a bottle of warm beer. We stayed around all Sunday, too, for don't mention-it reasons and I saw part of Eternally Yours, with Loretta Young, David Niven and Broderick Crawford in the early afternoon but walked around the school with Mike while the second feature was on-Valerie Hobson in August Weekend. That was the uninteresting synopsis of our week-end between worrying.

Now to the house. As a continuation of whet I last told you, Ann called Schatz and asked him if we could be relieved of our contract and he thought yes, if agreeable with his brother. Ann said do it now and after two minutes of silence Schatz said how about waiting till Monday as they had ads in for the weekend. I said there was nothing in on Friday but there it was Saturday morning. After telling us on Friday he would try to get $7,300, the ad Saturday offered it at $10,500, which to us is further evidence he is trying to put it so no one wants it and yet try it himself at the low figure. At 7 o'clock Saturday evening right after baths, Mrs. Murphy, Schatz' sister, I believe, called to say she had some people who wanted to see the house in about 15 minutes. Ann and I tore around the house so that we haven't found some of the things we pushed out of sight. The prospects were a couple in their forties, or rather their father, who was with them. Before they left, Mrs. Murphy said he liked the place but wanted to show it to his wife today (Monday) or tomorrow. But we don't know what they offered it to them at or whether they let them know the price before or after they looked at it. We called Mrs. Murphy again yesterday but she had no further information. I picked up the Evening Sun this noontime and there was the ad again at $10,504--this time a little larger and differently worded. So where are we? We've been praying to St. Anthony like mad and I hope we're supposed to go through with this because at this writing, the suspense is terrific. The kids can sense the tension, too, and are much noisier than usual and I go to bed nights mentally beating myself for having pushed them around a little, a thing I never used to do.

With plenty of time over the week-end, I cleaned up Abe's typewriter and fixed the two keys that were only bent. Last Thursday when I worked with the Doctor, Mrs. B. told me to look up the price on a new Standard Royal for use out there so we'll have something available for your next play. Ann also had me go up to the front room with her and we decided Mrs. B. or no Mrs. B. we'd at least take the contents of your drawers and all the clothing with us. It was after we agreed on this that Virginia called to say she could put the stuff on hangers in one of their closets. Ann has washed a lot of the soiled stuff, little by little the past few months and I'm sure if we left the drawers filled, even though sealed, a lot of the stuff would be missing. As to the TV set, we were naturally going to take that along and knowing we have to have an aerial out there thought we could add a cheap set of our own if we have a few hundred left over, out with Mrs. B.'s dictatorial policy of telling us where we have to place each article of furniture, I think Ann already wonders if we have made the right choice, even as badly as she wants to get away from our present surroundings and not the house itself. I doubt if An told you about the antique table and chairs she took an option on thru her friends at the Penny Wise shop for a song. Mrs. B said no to the description Ann gave her (even though we were paying) and Ann had to cancel; next day a man bought the set for just twice what they offered than to us. The one thing Ann positively put her foot down on was when we were shown through the place and one of the bedrooms on the second floor was indicated for Ann and we were told she thought it a good idea to fix up a spot for me on the third floor. I naturally sided with Ann. Wait till you meet her; I think you'd like her but it's just that her way is the only way. So, w'll pack all the contents of the drawer in boxes to take with us and put in more moth protection. I notice that the box in John's metal wardrobe is only half empty. When I called Ann at noontime, today, Virginia had just come to collect the hanging pieces.

END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
Charles' family is moving from Catonsville. Charles' employers, the Burtons, have promised him the use of one of their houses in Long Green Valley.
Virginia is a friend of John's.

Next Posting: August 14 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

A Possible Buyer

Friday, August 8 1952

Dear Andrew and John,

More of nothing about the house - the present one that is. Mrs. Burton said the new one is all ready (I worked out their house yesterday) and we have switched over the electricity to our name so the people next door don't go waterless. The telephone is to be put in on the fifteenth. I 'phoned the Postmaster out at Hydes yesterday, a pretty nice fellow named Sewell, who also has a general store. He promised to hold anything that might come in from you or anyone else till we get there. Mrs. Burton says if we are not able to rove on the 18th we can make it any succeeding day, as soon as we sell the place.

During the last 30 hours this is what we have learned. We found out the name of the young couple who want the house - it's Herrig and she used to be a Morsberger. They had an appointment with Trail at the bank yesterday but couldn't get anywhere. Ann called Schatz yesterday and talked to his niece, Marion, who said they were putting an ad in today's paper and there were still several people who were anxious to get the place. This morning I called and talked to one of the Schatz Bros. who said there didn't seem to be any other prospects at the moment. Mrs. Bellis told Ann again yesterday that they hadn't heard anything from Cimino, so in order to put on a little pressure, I told Schatz we were thinking of renting the place and would like to know something definite by the week-end, and then finally, as though an afterthought I said I wondered if Mr. Cimino would be interested in our place as he was considering the house next door. Mr. S. said he knew about that and after a pause said Cimino had made them an offer of $7,300 and he was sure he could get the same offer for our place. I called Ann end told her and she went right over to tell Mrs. Bellis, who said positively they had not made any offer and, of course, they wouldn't accept a figure that low. So Ann started to get mad and called her friend, Mr. Williams, who was her guardian when her parent's estate was in trust and she lived with him for several years when she was about 12. He is about 80 now and has been a lawyer and real estate dealer all his life; also owns a lot of land around Baltimore and other points. He said it was his opinion they were trying to put the squeeze on us and it was his suggestion that we try to have Schatz terminate his contract if he will let us out and go up the 10-cent store and get a For Sale sign for which you don't have to pay a commission and get as much action if not more. Ann called me back and told me all this and that's the last I heard of her shortly after lunchtime. She said she was going up to see Schatz and do just this and then see whether he would have anything to say. I forget to mention above that there was no ad in any of today's papers that I can see.

END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
Charles' family is moving from Catonsville.
The Bellis' live next door.

Next Posting: August 11 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

Worrying About Houses

Wednesday, August 6, 1952

Dear Andrew and John,

We don't know if we'll be moving on August 18 or not now, but this time it's not the fault of our new landlords. We just haven't sold the house yet. We brought the price down another thousand and still no apparent bites so I've been on the 'phone the last two days to learn why. The reason is not that the people don't want it - they do, but though the Government has relaxed the restrictions on down payments for homes and only require about $800 down for a house such as ours, I found out yesterday that about six persons actually wanted the house but the banks and loan companies want about four thousand down and the balance paid off in ten years instead of twenty. And it's not just because our house is older that they're doing this. Even on new homes. There's a couple working on it right now that haven't given up yet; Mr. Scop knows them. They were up to see him yesterday trying to get him to back them. He offered some suggestions and told me last night when I dropped by from school (filled in for Mrs. Brown) that they will know definitely by Thursday--tomorrow. I'm going to wait till then and if nothing happens I'll ask Schatz what he thinks of Cimino. He probably won't tell me because he handles all of their real estate but Mrs. Bellis told Ann again yesterday that they are still waiting to hear from him and they are asking ten thousand. I don't know what to do but we have decided that we can't move out until the place is sold because the kids would wreck the place. Ann is so darn nervous she was sick all Monday night. But we're trusting that our prayers will, come through.

We've still got it easy compared to some. Ed and Marie are having a rough time. Marie was up to visit her Mother in Philadelphia all last week and now that she's back she's more dissatisfied than ever - she told Ann when she dropped by the house yesterday. She and Mrs. P. never talk to each other and she and Ed quarrel about moving every day. Ann is sure she's going to pack up and leave one of these days and maybe soon.

Mary Bellis and boy friend have notified their respective parents that they are going to get married next spring.

We were talking about your things last night and I'll see what we can manage to take with us. I'm sure you'll want to change into something as soon as you get home and the moth balls seem to be holding up very well. I'm happy to say the children have not gone into your room upstairs and I don't believe a drawer has been opened since you left.

END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
Charles' family is moving from Catonsville.
The Bellis' live next door. Ed and Marie are friends that live in the neighborhood.

Next Posting: August 8, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

Swimming Pools and When To Say "Excuse Me"

Monday, August 4, 1952

Dear Andrew and John,

I don't have such to tell you. No sale for the house as yet and I'm starting to getting a little of the jitters. I 'phoned Cousin Ann today and learned that Cousin Claire has been ordered to stay home for a week or two and was just then leaving for the doctor's. Right after that (noontime) I called Aunt Helen and told her we hoped August 18th was a definite moving date and she said she had heard from you and that Uncle Andy was doing very well, better than they expected.

I picked up the family at Annie Clapsaddle's on Friday. Or rather I stayed to dinner first and when Ann suggested we leave a little after seven I noticed there was no objection from Mrs. C. Stevie, they said, had the time of his life. They had one of those inflatable swimming pools and he would run across the yard and fall full length in the water. Every time he takes a bath now he buries his head in the water and bubbles away. When I walked out in the back yard out there I found Kathy two inches away from a pit black wasp blowing in his face. The wasp didn't hurt her but went right over and bit Mike. I put iodine on it and it is still sore but not painful. By the time we got one block away, they were all asleep and didn't awaken till seven on Saturday morning. Stephen was standing on the back seat of the car looking out the window, too quietly I thought, and when Arlene turned to investigate from where she was reading, she found him sound asleep standing up.

Saturday it was rainy in the morning and hot and humid in the afternoon. We stayed close to home except for store shopping for groceries. Sunday was also quiet and we took a short ride about six coming back the new highway at Montgomery Road where the Varsity has opened a new place called the "Pig'N Whistle". I read an ad in the Argus about an opening special on home made ice cream at 95¢ a half gallon and as I had my rider money I treated the family. For some reason I have been off ice cream for about a year and I bet you're ljst the opposite, especially if you can't get it. Back to Saturday night movie TV, the two non-commercial movies presented by ABC were pretty sad; No. 1: Almost Sixteen with Gale Storm and Robert Henry; No. 2: Criminal Investigator with Robert Lowery and Edith Fellows. The Gunther Playhouse was a little better. You may have seen "Raw Deal" with Dennis O'Keefe, Claire Trevor, and Marsha Hunt. One of those he breaks out of jail and they hunt him down while he's hunting somebody else.

We were still laughing over Aunt Hannah's Monroe Street slogan and John's back slapping. The slogan has also been going around, Edmondson Village by Christmas. I don't know if Ann told you about Mike and his children's bright saying, but I'll repeat it. He was engrossed in a book and Kathy was sitting beside him on the couch. She made a very unladylike noise through her little bottom and Michael, without turning away from his book said, "When you do that, Kathy, you're supposed to put your hand over your mouth and say 'Excuse me'."

More as the week and other things progress, we hope.

END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
Charles' family is moving from Catonsville.

Next Posting: August 6, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

Mike Goes Up The Hill

Friday, August 1, 1952

Dear Andrew and John,

I worked out the Doctor's again yesterday and picked up a little more information on the house. Mrs. B. came into the Doctor's den and we sat and talked for more than half an hour. She spent the day out at the farms on Tuesday and rounded up some things she is contributing. Among other things, she has eight mahogony chairs for us, also a couch which she is having upholstered which means we can put our Hide-A-Bed upstairs for extra sleeping space and she has another bed for us, which Arlene may use, or we may take the big maple one Arlene is using now and finally she has a folding bed plus a desk. She says she had three boys from the farms bringing things down to the house from storage space in the barns and tried them out for position. Ann is perfectly satisfied to accept gifts as what we have at present wouldn't go too far out there and it looks as though there won't be any wherewithal to get any extras if we have to drop the price of the house at 25. Nothing new except Schatz called yesterday and said he had a good prospect who was coming at 8:30 last night. I had school so Ann and Arlene scrubbed the place and even swept the cellar and then nobody showed up. Getting back to the new place, I have put in for a telephone which comes through Bel Air, but is a FORK number. The only thing available is on a four party line but at least it's a 'phone.

Ann overheard a little discussion between Michael and Jane and Edward on Tuesday. Our only problem with Mike is that he goes "up the hill" as we call it, to the houses bordering on the school and Frederick Road, where Tyson Morsberger and Dolores nee Moore's families live. He also makes trips without permission to Shepherd's back yard, next to Pierpoint's, where, believe it or not, Bill Shepherd has two of the nicest kids, one of each, about 4 and 5. Ann doesn't mind him playing with them, in fact prefers it to J & E, but doesn't like him out of sight or sound. Anyway, back to the story, Ann heard Mike beg Jane and Edward to stop teasing him-they gang up on him once in awhile and he busted Edward last week. They kept it up and finally Mike said, "Jane and Edward, I'm not playing with you any more, I'm going down Sissy and Billy's." He started down toward the school-field with a determined stride and Ann was about to give a shout when Edward ran after him and begged, "Don't go, Mike, we won't have anyone to play with." Without breaking his stride, Mike looked over his shoulder and said "Tough", and kept right on going. Ann said she wouldn't have stopped him then if he had been headed for Irvington.

I called Cousin Ann last night before I left school--about 9:20, and she said the doctor has given permission for Cousin Claire to come home today but that she must remain in bed. The doctor has given her a prescription for Aureomycin capsules which she has to take day and night as he says there is still a deep infection there and the cough remains

When I reached home last night, Ann had just talked with Annie Clapsaddle who told our Ann she needed to get away for a day and to bring the family over the her place as her Mom and Pop have gone to Wildwood and I could pick them up this evening. Ann said she would if I could bring them over this morning; so I took them there at 8:15 this a.m. and Annie Clap is going to wish she had kept her big mouth shut by the time I go get them this evening.

END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
Charles works for Dr. and Mrs. Burton who have promised him the use of a larger house near their farms northeast of Baltimore. At one time the house was an Inn.
Charles also teaches nights for the Baltimore Institute - a business school.

Next Posting: August 4, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner