Bette Davis Takes A Fall

Monday, October 20, 1952

Dear Andrew and John,

We've started around on the virus again. Arlene was running a temperature Saturday and Sunday but wouldn't stay in bed. Yesterday was such a beautiful day, though, that we didn't want to wait any longer. Before I went to church with Arlene at 10:30, I gave the Boehms a call and told them we would pick them up about 1:00. Came back from church a bit piffed because I missed Communion for the first time since New Year's 1945--on a Sunday, that is. Don't know what happened; when the bells rang at Communion time the altar boys hopped up and went for the water and wine instead of the plates. The people looked at one another but no one attempted to do anything about it. We left home at 12:15, just Ann, the little ones and myself and went in at Cousin A's and Cousin C's for a minute to see their newly decorated kitchen. We were back at 2:30, gave them a tour of the place and sat around and talked. They stayed and ate with us and didn't leave till 7:15. I made the round trip taking them home, taking my time, and was back in the house at 9:10. I'm glad we did it yesterday; it was 65° and the route all the way is lined with trees that have just turned. You no doubt had a quick glimpse of autumn as your winter set in with a bang. Over night the temperature here fell to 40° and when I called Ann this morning to tell her Aunt Til had called me to say hello, Ann said it started to snow at 9 this morning and at that time - 12:15 - it was still coming down. I'm sure it won't lay. Tonight, the weather man says 26° so we're getting into your territory. The only thing is, yours is there to stay and ours is so changeable. I think Cousin A and C. liked the place except they wouldn't want to live out there. They acknowledged that with a car town was very accessible. Cousin Anna even took a glass of our special blend $1.69 a half-gallon sherry.

Arlene got her pup on Saturday morning and I have to admit it's a pretty nice hound. Four months old, housebroken, even though it stays in the cellar, and all white with black dots and a black ear. Name of Lady MacBeth but we call it Mac for short as everyone refers to her as him. Mike tolerates him, I mean her; Kathy loves her and leaves her; but Stevie eats it up. He trails it around the yard and shares his cookies with her. I don't think it will grow as large as I mentally predicted as we find it is dalmatian with just a dash of bird dog. In her gallops around the yard, every once in awhile she'll stop, raise one paw, straighten the tail and point a bird perfectly. Maybe you'd get used to her.

We did the usual grocery shopping in Jacksonville on Saturday, I mean Friday night, but drove in as far as Parkville Saturday afternoon to the 10-cent store. We got around to TV promptly at eight so as not to miss Jimmy Durante with Frankie Sinatra. It was a very good show and Frankie kept out of it most of the time. Somehow Show of Shows continues just as good and the guest hostess was a bit different this time - Alicia Markova, the ballerina. She did a 15 minute bit toward the end from Les Sylphis or whatever that ballet is. Gunther's Playhouse had another 2 hour film "International Lady" with George Brent, Illona Massey and Basil Rathbone. It was an A, with nothing but familiar supporting actors but I managed to see a 1942 copyright date. A little earlier in the evening we missed "Bicycle Thief" which I told you was presented last summer for the first time on TV. So, as I've said, they're going around again and you'll be just in time for some good ones.

In one of the envelopes or in with the movie review of the Times I'm going to put a review of Bette Davis' new "Two's Company" show I mentioned not having heard when I wrote about Tallulah last week. Coming in to town in the car this morning - I have the radio on for the news and heard that Bette collapsed in Chicago last night where Two's Company was putting on its first performance. She had to be carried from the stage in the first scene by two stagehands, the commentator said, but was back to finish the end of the show and made a curtain call to tell the people "You can't say I didn't fall for you."

Streett Baldwin died yesterday afternoon; was only 58, the papers say. He was coming around Saturday even though he couldn't speak but contracted pneumonia and that finished him.

That last paragraph of yours, Andrew, about the visit from our mutual "cousin" was something. The letter just came this morning. I couldn't resist telling Ann about it lunchtime. I asked Cousins, A & C if they had heard anything and they said no, their trip to Chase never materialized. We'll have to have Aunt Hannah out sometime and see if she will tell us the score because I'm sure she knows.

The postman dropped by the house the other night to ask if I would buy stamps or if I could buy stamps for Doctor from them and not here in town. I told him Ca-Ma-Sil used a postage meter and that the rest of the stamps didn't amount to more than 10 or 15 a month. He said that strange as it may sound that would mean a lot of business for him. So I've gotten permission to get most of our regular stamps out there. I noticed they have an Esso gas dispenser next to the store so I dropped by Friday, being pretty low. Mr. Sewell was coming out of the store with a pan of something as I went in and I said I wanted to get some gas. He said just to help myself and give the money to Ma; that if she wasn't in the store, just to yell and she'd answer. And that's what happened. I also found the mail doesn't come out on the Ma and Pa. It comes twice a day, delivered by truck, morning and afternoon. The postman's route, he told me, measures a little over 50 miles and he has 1,475 stops or potential ones. That's really something and I'm glad we're about the first on the list.

Stay well till you get the heck out of there and I'll get off a few more letters until I hear from you that you're sure you're moving out the end of the month.

END OF LETTER

Next Posting: October 21, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

A Dalmation and News From Catonsville

Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Dear Andrew and John,

Here's another I hope you never receive unless you're on the way back. You each actually received a piece of mail, forwarded from Catonsville. Ann opened one (they're both alike from outward appearances) and it's a wedding invitation from someone in Philadelphia; very fancy and even embossed paper. I forgot to look at the date and can't remember the name other than it being Italian sounding. Maybe I should have sent one to you but we thought and still hope you might be on your way.

Just got finished wrassling with Metropolitan Life Insurance. They cancelled policies on Ann, Mike, Stephen and Kathy because their office reported they hadn't been paid for September and October. I had been worrying them every few days since the last of August and they kept saying wait, that they had a collector out in our area. We waited and waited but he never showed up so last week I called the head office and they advised me to pay by check to them which I did including an extra month to keep us ahead. Now I find we had to or rather have to send everything by mail but they can't find the check I sent last Monday a week.

Streett Baldwin is still hanging on by a thread and Ann was over next door in the back yard taking the clothes down for them yesterday and had taken Stevie with her. They have a full sized sliding board for their kids and Ann says she was reaching for a clothes pin and saw something flash by out of the corner of her eye and it was Stevie head-first. She dropped everything to go to him but he had somersaulted and was halfway up the ladder again, this time to come down the conventional may. She said in five minutes he had worn himself out and that was his first experience with such a contraption.

One of Arlene's relatives 'phoned her that if permission was granted, they had a dalmatian puppy as a gift. I kept my big mouth shut and Ann gave with a hesitant OK. We had to go to Peterson's store for bread and while there an animal that just came to my belt-line walked out of the back storeroom and Ann asked Mrs. Peterson if it was hers. She said Oh yes it was their six month old dalmatian puppy. Ann just looked at me with her mouth open and I continued to say nothing. Now Ann is busy talking Arlene out of it. At breakfast she said we'd have to keep it outside and down the cellar and putting out food and water would be a big complication for you-know-who Stevie would toss the critter for the food every time, gentle lad.

Ann's letter from Mrs. Bellis was a nice long one. She has been trying to get out our way with Ruth but Clyde has been using the car. Mary has managed to get a pass to see Francis, her husband, at Bainbridge; and a group of her classmates from last year gave her a huge shower, with another one coming up next week.

I saw no TV Monday or Tuesday so I have nothing to report there but I picked up a News this noontime and am enclosing several articles from it. I thought Louella had retired when her husband died but you can read her column in one of these letters.

More tomorrow or Friday.

END OF LETTER

Editor's notes:
The Bellis' were next door neighbors back in Catonsville. Mrs. Bellis' daughter Mary married Francis in August.

Next Posting: October 17, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

A Fire In Baldwin and Tallulah Does Durante

Monday, October 13.

Dear Andrew and John,

We're working naturally and so is school tonight but the banks and most of the business offices are closed down today honoring your birthday on yesterday.

One Friday, I mean on Friday afternoon I 'phoned Abe and he is feeling much better since he found he has only a tendency toward diabetes and not the actual stuff. Noontime Mommie told me she got a letter from Mrs. Bellis but didn't read it because I have to keep these calls from the office to home short. Got the 'phone bill Saturday and Arlene had called her friend Mary Margaret in Catonsville to the tune of $1.19 worth. For other news of Catonsville, Virginia called Ann to say she was dropping in on Sunday and Dee called again Friday to say no they wouldn't. And yesterday afternoon we have a - I can't even think straight - we had a short visit from Ellen and Gerry Bures. They are anxious to get out of West Edmondale where they bought their new house but can't find cheaper quarters elsewhere. They're so darned on edge they're nervous wrecks.

It was raining Friday evening so we postponed our trip to the food store till Saturday morning. It cleared Saturday noontime and I fixed the back door and wiped off the car and then drove Ann and the kids as far as Woolworth's on Harford Road. We were gone a little over an hour and came back Long Green Valley Road way to find fire engines racing past us to a big fire. If you still have a map or remember my describing Peterson's store and packaged refreshment shop, it's right next to that. Burned down into the ground with not a beam or shingle standing were the post office (Baldwin) general store and hardware and a good part of Baldwin Motors, a combination garage, repair shop and sales agency for tractors and farm equipment. Doctor's property ends down that way - it's almost a mile from the house really -- and one of his barns full of hay was partly burned. Arlene went with her friend Ann Woodward, our second neighbor to the south, and her father who is a member of the volunteer firefighters. She said they had eleven fire engines there but it got too much of a start. Ann didn't see the results but I drove past yesterday morning with Mike and Kathy when we event to pick up Arlene from Mass. Ann and I went to 8:30 yesterday for a change as it was Holy Name and in memory of our 8:30 Mass six years ago. Father Doran takes his good old time and has a sermon no matter how long he talks on the matter of Propagation of the Faith or the particular problem for the Sunday. We got home from 8:30 Mass at 10:02 and it started on time. Arlene was out in half an hour. We could go over on Harford Road to an earlier Mass or in to Towson but I think it's better to stay in the parish and they need our two-bitses.

I guess it was about 5:30 when we got back Saturday and I didn't look at the paper till after we ate so were we surprised to see Tallulah listed for All Star Review at 8 p.m. We were up and waiting for the beginning. You remember how Jimmy Durante used to and still does close by walking off as though into the distance. Well, Tallu comes from way back walking slowly and playing with her hair, right up into the camera and croaks "Hello Dahlings". We loved it. Her support all through the show were no less than Ethel Barrymore and Groucho Marx. But the show was all Tallulah's. She danced, sang and had several skits to herself as well as with the others. It was from New York as she remarked Ethel and Groucho had flown in from Hollywood. I liked her semi-final, a solo of how she had gone from her place at 59th Street to visit some friends in the country -- way out at 181st St. on a thing called the subway. Maybe it's old stuff but we enjoyed her applying at the money changing window for a drawing room and saying of course they would take her check. She pauses and gives her name as the fellow has evidently asked who she thought she was. She says, "I'm Tallulah Bankhead", then another pause listening to him and reaches her hand through to shake saying, "I'm so glad to know you, Mr. Bonaparte". Just as she is about to board the subway train, the camera follows her past a big paste up ad featuring the head and shoulder picture of Betty Davis and "Two's Company" which is apparantly her latest. Tallu goes past, does a double-take and then comes back to whip out her lipstick, hunch over the pic and step aside to show her decorations of glasses, a mustache and beard; no talking. Her ending of the show was a reversal of the beginning; saying "'Bye Dahlings" in front of the camera and walking slowly to music off into the rear center. Show of Shows did everything right as usual, this time with a host, Dennis O'Keefe. After this Ann retired but Arlene and I sat to watch Louis Hayward, Joan Bennett and George Sanders in "Son of Monte Cristo". I didn't realize it was such a big production and lasted just five minutes short of two hours.

We sat around all yesterday and had finished eating and cleaning up when Gerry and Ellen came. I guess they were here from about 5:30 till 6:30. We went up to TV for This is Show Business which was fair and Colgate's Comedy Hour had a pretty good show in Bob Hope with Fred MacMurray and Connie Haines. Phil Playhouse which last night was Goodyear Playhouse came on with some gypsy offering O Ramany. Ann said the author is a good one but we didn't care for the beginning so turned it off for the evening. Ann heard Mrs. Baldwin next door calling and I went down and read awhile. Ann came back and told me she had promised to go next door to stay with the kids in the event Mrs. Baldwin would be called back to town. Her husband's father, Streett Baldwin, had suffered a heart attack and stroke on Friday. So far they have kept it out of the papers for some political reason or other but as of this morning he's hanging on. The doctors now say there's no hope whatsoever and he is paralysed except for the fingers of one hand.

On our ride to the ten cent store Saturday we had to go past the Maryland School fort the blind on Taylor Avenue. They have their annual sign out advertising apples and cider. Ann says, from past experience, there's none better. They'll have it for some time but we don't want to get any as it might turn or that might be for the better also. It's only twenty minutes away by car.

That Stevie slob at the table will shovel in three helpings of meat, potatoes and vegetables I couldn't come near downing, then sit back with his shoulders slumped and mouth omen and wait for the monstrous bubbles that usually follow. Right after eating his stomach hangs down the way Kathy's used to. Nothing new on Kathy this week but Mike is due one of my famous haircuts no later than tomorrow.

END OF LETTER

Editor's notes:
October 12, Columbus Day, is Charles and Ann's sixth wedding anniversary. It is also the birthday of twin brothers, Andrew and John.

Next Posting: October 15, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

Frankie and Ava Have Split

Tuesday, October 7th,

Dear Andrew and John,

I'm late this week; had a busy day yesterday and could only get off the Times. We got a letter at home from you yesterday, John, and we hope the cold has cleared up. Wouldn't want anything to delay departing for either of you. Nothing has come to the office yet in the way of packages but I think six weeks is the minimum we can expect service. We had a little trouble with our mail but I think it has been corrected. When we didn't received our 'phone bill or Hochschild's by the end of September, I called and found they had been mailed out. Ann asked Mrs. Baldwin next door and she said oh yes a little girl down the road, the same one who had gotten in her deep freeze in the cellar, has been caught reading the mails in the neighborhood and then tearing up the evidence. We hope nothing of importance has gone that way. Hochschild's and the C & P are mailing out new bills today and the postman is now going to toot his horn when he puts mail in the box as it can't be seen from our part of the house.

We shopped again at the grocery Friday evening and had things cleaned up for some TV by 9:30. It's dark at 6:30 now but we're getting used to it. We saw some quiz program and then Ann and Arlene were almost asleep and gave up but I sat through an English mystery called "Tangled Evidence" with nobody I recognized. I worked on the car and played around with the kids Saturday as the weather stayed in the seventies. We didn't have a visitor or hear from anyone as usual. It wasn't until after supper however, that we looked in the paper and saw WBAL had taken off Show of Shows for a darn pro football game. We put the Stevie to bed and pajamaed Mike and Kathy when Arlene called down she had it so we went up and found Show of Shows coming from Washington and clearer than we used to get it at home. Following that, we switched hack to Baltimore and enjoyed Abroad with Two Yanks with Dennis O'Keefe and William Bendix. The hostess on Show of Shows, I forgot to say, was Wanda Hendrix. She has changed her hairdo or let her jaw dawn or something for where she used to have a heart shaped, face, it's now square: looks like Kathryn Grayson. Speaking of show people, I heard on the radio this morning that Frankie boy and Ava have split up--Ave giving him her wedding ring back, of all things. Sunday, Arlene and I get home from church at twenty minutes to twelve and the 'phone rang two minutes later, which I answered. It was Virgina asking if we'd be home Tuesday (today) and I said of course, so she said she'd be out this evening. She talked to Ann about two weeks ago and was supposed to drop by but came down with a bad cold. Kathy picked up the virus on Sunday that we've all had but wouldn't stay abed, just wanted to be held. It reached a peak yesterday when she tossed her breakfast but this morning woke bright and happy. Sunday afternoon we left Arlene at home with the World Series and took an hour's ride to Jarrettsville, which was new to me. It's only 8 miles and we circled back around the farms and home as Kathy was restless. It was another lovely day and nice and peaceful. We ate early and brought the little ones upstairs with us for TV. Red Skelton is on at 7 p.m. Sundays this year and on film. I don't think it's as good. He was followed by Jack Benny's monthly appearance and I had forgotten to look who was to be on the Colgate Comedy Hour. At 8 o'clock they flashed the station break announcement saying next in line was Colgate Comedy Hour. There was a 15 second pause and the announcer came in to say "We're waiting for the Colgate Comedy Hour from Hollywood". Still nothing, and here's where it got good. Again the announcer came in to say while they were waiting we'd have a film of something by Schubert. The music swelled up in the background but they must have pushed the wrong projector for on the screen came the regular motion picture makeup " The Thief of London" starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Valerie Hobson; that faded to "With" and pictured Alan Hale, nodding, and the rest of the cast; then fade-out and as the first scene came on everything went black for a moment, then there was the conductor leading the Schubert symphony. That was followed by another short and finally at 8:20 the announcer returned to say that we would watch Tanhauser for the next forty minutes as there had been a "disagreement" with the engineers in Hollywood and the Comedy Hour would not be seen and heard. We switched over to Ed Sullivan who was having an ASCAP show of all famous composers in person, playing their own melodies and it wasn't bad. Philco presented a pretty good one--Jeffrey Lynn in "Black Sheep". After that we turned it off.

Ann found a cleaner who seems to do good work. Anything sent on Wednesday is returned Saturday and pick-ups Saturday come back the following Wednesday. I believe he charges a dollar where I was paying 75¢ before but we can't be too particular when you're off the beaten track. You'll have to look forward to seeing the place next spring as you're missing a lot of the good scenery right now. The only thing around in the roar of flowers seems to be something out front which we're not sure whether it's a rose bush or a blackberry vine. In the back yard are three or four lilac bushes. Maybe we can add something that will bloom right away. We have searched the store room for your tulips and as I've said to Ann, I still believe the movers made off with a lot of stuff as I can still remember making the last trip to the truck and he slamed the door before I got there and said that's all. They may be at the bottom or some of the carton boxes and I hope so. In the last days at Bloomsbury with Mike and Kathy, and Jane, Edward, Susie, Tyson Ann and many others roaming the house, they broke the radio-record player combination and Mike's little record player as well. Some of these quiet evenings we've wanted to listen to the few records we managed to save. I shouldn't really say few because there are about 50 or so. In transit, our Nutcracker Suite and part of the Carmen Abe and I bought were broken but a lot of individual records are left. You mentioned in a letter a month or so ago that one of the boy's father had sent him a 45 r.p.m. I played one for the first time at Ann Clapsaddle's and I remember telling you I liked it but now they've added something new to that, what they call 45 extended play records. Each side of a regular size 45 plays about 8 minutes. At Parkville last month I noticed Read's was selling a big counter of popular 45's at four for a dollar so they must be overproducing.

I'm copying this last paragraph from a Prentice-Hall Accountant's Weekly Report which came yesterday and the case is listed as true:

A New Orleans lawyer sought an RFC loan for a client. He was told that the loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to property offered as collateral. The title dated back to 1803 and a had to spend 3 months running it down.

After sending the information to RFC he got this reply: We received your letter today inclosing application for a loan for your client, supported by abstract of title. Let us compliment you on the able manner in which you prepared and presented the application. However, you have not cleared the title before the year 1803 and therefore before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary that the title be cleared back of that year."

Annoyed, the lawyer replied: "Your letter regarding titles in Case No. 189156 received. I note that you wish titles extended further back than I have presented them. I was unaware that any educated man in the world failed to know that Louisiana was purchased from France in 1803. The title to that land was acquired by France by right of conquest from Spain. The land came into possession of Spain by right of discovery made in 1492 by a sailor named Christopher Columbus, who had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the then reigning monarch, Isabella. The good queen, being a pious woman and careful about titles, almost, I might say, as the RFC, took the precaution of securing the blessing of the Pope upon the voyage before she sold her jewels to help Columbus. Now the Pope, as you know, is the emissary of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God, who, it is commonly accepted, made the world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that He also made that part of U. S. called Louisiana, and I hope to hell you are satisfied."

END OF LETTER

Next Posting: October 9, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

A New Number and A Visit To Catonsville

Monday, September 15, 1952

Dear Andrew and John

From now on you can send mail to either place; the only thing I will say is that it is delivered one day sooner here to the office. The letter you wrote on the 10th, Andrew, holds the record so far. I'm enclosing the postmark to show it was mailed on the 11th and was delivered here at the office about 8:15 this morning, the 15th. I believe I told you we have a big fat mailbox out there on the Hydes Road side of the other house, that will hold six or seven full Sunday editions of the New, York Times and if something comes that is too large, the man brings it to the front door.

On the TV set, I think an aerial is a must in our location. The Baldwins next door have a contraption with a dozen arms on it waving atop the roof. I'm sorry in a way we didn't bring the set along but there were so many circumstances at the time. Everything we thought we would smash we took with us in our car and with the family it made quite a load. I understand from Geipe, however, that any time we can go out there, sign for and take away anything; that is stored or they will deliver free. Maybe the set would work on the third floor with the indoor aerial which we have with us to prevent the, boys in the warehouse from playing with it.

Our telephone number has been changed. It is now, FORK 3690. We're on the same line; just the last digit to 0 from 4. How come is that we were getting six or eight calls a day for a Mr. Flaccus, of Three Cousins Farm, a big horse place on the other corner of Long Green and Hydes Road. I looked in the Harford directory and sure enough he too was listed as Fork 3694 so I thought he no longer had the number and that it had been given to us when he was disconnected. But on Friday I happened to look in the Baltimore suburban section where we shall also be listed with the new book and there Flaccus was as Fork 2694. I called the C&P in Bel Air and they had made an error in the Harford book so they thought it best to give us the O. This now means that instead of two, short rings we now answer four short rings. You only hear the rings of two of the four parties on the line. But yesterday (Sunday) morning the 'phone gave two shorts and I thought maybe I should try it. It was for us - Frances Seisor wanted to know if we would be home. She and Albert came at 3:00 and stayed till 6:15.

Nobody else from Catonsville has come to visit us so we visited there on Saturday. The kids were down to rags for p.j.'s and underclothing so Ann came in as far as the bargain basements and the rest of us continued on to Bloomsbury Avenue. I dropped in at the bank (it was open Saturday as Friday was a holiday) and put in your latest check, John, and then Kathy and I went to see Abe while Mike, Arlene and Stevie met Jane and Edward in front of the school. Abe walked down to the Bellis' with us and after saying hello to everybody I went over to home and looked in the cellar windows. I was relieved to find no water but they haven't let the people in yet to clean up. Schatz called on Friday again and we made definite arrangements for the settlement tomorrow (Tuesday) down in the Fidelity Building at 1 p.m. I plan to stay home tomorrow morning and bring Ann and the kids in at noontime. Arlene will be at school. About Catonsville, they're digging up the whole schoolyard. They have bulldozers and tractors all over the place and someone said there were complaints of smells from the sewerage system. Someone else said they are planning a road from the other side of the school near the Amoco station across the field to Bishop's Lane. I don't know if it's permanent but they have a road there right now of gravel. They are also making preparations for the fence they always talked about. Arlene said she walked in the Bellis' back yard and Mr. B was up on a ladder as usual painting. She said hello and he gave back a casual "Hello, Lene" and then did a double take as he realized it wasn't just an hour before he had last spoken to her. Same thing with Mrs. B. They couldn't believe we had been away only two weeks and five days.

Ann still can't get adjusted to St. John's after St. Mark's. I went with her to 8 o'clock Mass yesterday and I think it's because they take everything so easy. You never saw so many big fats slumped over pews. Actually, the Masses aren't crowded--there's plenty of room. Yesterday was Holy Name Sunday but everyone sits just where he or she wishes. Kids, parents and several nuns are all mixed up over the church. The organ played and a couple of Mrs. Garveys entertained. At communion time the men crawled over each other and went to the altar rail first, then the others. As soon as Mass was over we got up to go and I was already out in the aisle when the fellow at the end of our bench started the Litany of the Holy Name. If I had known, I would have stayed. He gave out with three or four lines and no response. A dozen or so men had remained in their seats but none had player books. This fellow got up and turned around and yelled, "Come on, let's hear it, cancha?". Eight o'clock Mass began at 8:05 and was over at 9:15 but Arlene went to the 10 and they were out already at 10:50.

Friday night we shopped in Parkville, far the last time I hope. It was worse than, Towson the week before. It took us an hour and forty-five minutes to get out of the A & P and we had to walk three blocks to their parking lot. Our plan beginning next week is to try a place called Jacksonville, about 4 miles up the road where the prices are supposed to be pretty much in keeping with the big places.

We read in the papers that the temperature hit 97° in town on Saturday late in the afternoon but we were back at Hydes at 1:45 and thought it just pleasant. It went to 90° yesterday but we didn't notice it, so if the winters aren't as cold as the summers aren't hot, it will be all right with me.

You probably won't hear from me tomorrow but try to get something out on Wednesday about tomorrow's meeting and anything else I've forgotten from this hurried thing.


END OF LETTER


Next Posting: September 17, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

A Bad Haircut

Thursday, September 11

Dear Andrew and John,

I sent for fifty of these back before we moved and, they've just come. They were very cheap, a dollar and something, and you could have had your name printed, also which I omitted. We plan to send them only to people who are far away, like Peg and Mitch and Jerry, and Len so you can send those I send you to any relatives you may think of because we've shown them to no one, not even the girls last Thursday. They're rather bulky so I'll get out a few more to you under separate mailing.

Had a long talk with Mrs. Bellis over the 'phone. It just flashed into my mind to give her a call as I remembered she and Ruth and Aunty Edith go out at least once a week and usually look for a new spot; so I thought it would be a good idea to surprise Mommie. She said probably next Tuesday would be the day. She also said we had no doubt heard about her daughter and I asked how they were coming along. He went into the Navy 4 days after they were married as scheduled and Mary won't see him for eight weeks while he is in boot training. Mary went right back to work at the Blue Cross and is living at hone. Our last Argus was forwarded to us and right beneath the huge write-up on Will Emerson and Virginia Reymann was a couple inches devoted to Bellis-King and I think they did it very nicely. They mentioned the double ring ceremony before Reverend somebody at Arlington (which could have been Maryland, Virginia or West Virginia) and said the bride was residing at the home of her parents until the groon came out of the Navy, not saying he was stuck for 3 years.

No settlement yet. We were sure we wouldn't have to wait this long but that's how it goes. Tomorrow is supposed to be the last day they have under the agreement to close the deal so it just shows the agreement doesn't mean a darn think unless you try to get out of it.

I just spent ten long minutes yelling at J. Norman Geipe. Got a registered letter here at the office the day before yesterday containing your inventory list coupled with their contract and insurance agreement and showing the storage is at Rolling Road and Edmondson Highway, Catonsville. They got me riled up by enclosing a bill for $15 for hauling for 1 1/2 hours at $10 per hour and 46¢ for insurance. Ann and I went over the thing carefully and she said she talked to two different people on two different days before we left home (I think she also talked to everyone in the city for our last 'phone bill was $26); one Geipe representative was a woman and one a man. She said they each stated the charge would be $4.50 each month and that she particularly asked them if there was anything else and they said only a $10 down payment. Furthermore the bill goes on to say that storage will be $6.00 a month and not $4.50. This person I spoke with could only say that all this should have been explained at the time of one of our calls and didn't know why it was not. I'm going to write them a nasty letter today; think I'll make it to J. Norman personally as he was in my class at St. Joe. I paid the thing and we'll straighten it out someday so don't worry but it just makes me madder and madder because all this wouldn't have had to be.

The same Argus had an obituary on Mr. Joyce, who died the first of September. Maybe the mother will come live with Jean now and take care of the kids, for when we left Jean was working and Glyn Bailey is away all week in New York while the poor kids were locked out and all over the place.

Your allotment came yesterday John, forwarded OK from Catonsville and Andrew, you got a nice bill for the $6 not paid on your income tax which we filed in March, plus interest of 19¢ or maybe it was 49¢, as I left it home in the desk. Do you want me to keep it here or do you want to pay it from Korea with a bunch of yen or whatever that stuff is. They must have made some adjustment or other, I because as I remember it, I believe I wrote you in February that you owed the Government $14 but why worry about it. Let them try and collect.

Ann won't talk to me this morning; I cut Michael's hair last night. I honestly don't believe I did as bad a job as I did on yours but there are spots.... So it's my plan to add the clippers to the Polaroid and offer it as a package unit.

The Girls said you were anxious to see the old house at 25 again when you returned and maybe the Seicke's would let you walk through. I think at your age I would have felt the same way but now my only thoughts would be to look for this hole or that crack and think of the condition of the roof and the cellar and watch more paint chip off on the sunny side. But with a little time and effort this fellow Seicke should be able to put it in fair shape again except for the darn basement.

I have school again tonight and had a talk with B. Herbert on Monday evening about giving it up. I have agreed to go through September but will probably stop then so if you can think of any text book I can try and corral, let me know.

Figuring from October 23, and sixteen days on the long water trip, if they hurry the rest through you still might make it by Thanksgiving.


END OF LETTER

Editor's Notes:
The family has recently moved from 25 Bloomsbury Avenue in Catonsville and are living in Long Green Valley.
The Argus is the old name for the Catonsville Times Newspaper.
Mrs. Bellis was the next door neighbor in Catonsville
B. Herbert Brown ran the business school that Charles taught at night.

Next Posting: September 15, 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 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

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

Conjunctivitis and The Fourth Of July

Monday, July 7 1952

Dear Andrew and John,

In some respects we had a nice quiet weekend and since last Thursday we received several letters from each of you and the pictures, Andrew. I am still waiting to see what Pavelle does to the black and whites of the kids. I got the word from you, John, that the color prints had been done by a private set-up and I'm sure no commercial or grind-'em-out company would take the pains to see the color rendition was so perfect. I put an ad in the Argus, as I told you, about the Polaroid and didn't get a single nibble; offered it at best price over $50 and included attachments plus "will deliver".

When I got home last Thursday we put the little ones to bed and Arlene baby-sat while we took the Clapsaddles up on their offer. Arrived at the Marling House a few minutes past seven and they came right on our heels. As we were seated on that single table strip by the bar, Aunt Hannah was at the next table with someone she introduced as Mrs. Hayes. She left soon afterward but said she had a
letter from one of you. Next to the night out Ann and I had together, which I think we appreciated more because we made our own decisions, we really had a very good time. It was, my first taste of the M.H., you know, and those rum buns you talked about were delicious. As Earl paid for everything, we each had two drinks and the crab imperial a la carte (cheaper that way) with the salad that came along and yet I saw the bill at $17.90. I haven't been able to figure it out; seems a little high to me. I believe I told you Marling sold out several months ago but his head is still on everything including the ballet pictures on the walls. They have taken the hula gal with the running lights off the bar. From there we walked while deciding on a show, Ann and Annie was discussing Pat and Mike or St. Anne and the Something or Robin Hood or The Batchelor and Somebody; but the picture we saw was "Brave Warrior" with Jon Hall at the Mayfair and you can guess who picked it; I kept quiet. After that - home; Ann was a bit bothered by her eyes and they did look red and swollen. On the way she told me she had stood in front of the sun lamp for 20 minutes but had put paper over her eyes. That, combined with the movie and the fact she hasn't had her glasses available since Kathy snapped them in the middle brought on the consequences. She got to sleep for an hour but was up two o'clock walking the floor; then she walked outdoors and finally when she couldn't stand the pain I took her over to St. Agnes Hospital at 3:15 in the night, or rather morning. The doctor pronounced it acute Conjunctivitis or eye infection and put some drops in to ease the pain. She lay there for about an hour, after which he squeezed a tube of a cod liver oil and something mixture in each eye and gave her a shot in the arm; another rest and we went home but the pain didn't stop and neither of us slept. Toward morning the ice bags helped somewhat and she quieted down. What had Ann (and me, too) worried was that after we left the hospital she couldn't raise her eyelids and when she pried one up with her finger, couldn't see a thing. This was no doubt caused by swelling of the lids or something internally but by the afternoon of the Fourth we were both relieved when she could open them a little more than a slit and could see. The infection broke Saturday and stuff has been draining out ever since. I put the drops in all day Saturday and Sunday and with the aid of dark glasses Ann could go out for short periods at a time before applying cold packs. On the morning of the Fourth, I took Mike and Kathy down to the high school to watch the goings on while Ann tried to rest and Stevie napped for his usual two or three hours. We got there too late for the sucker scramble but Abe awarded each a couple of consolation lollipops and that suited Kathy for the rest of our stay down there. Jane and Edward showed up and while Edward didn't want to enter any of the games, Mike and Jane lined up with 100 others for something for kids under 8. The object was to hold a paper plate in the mouth, balance a marble on the plates, and run the length of the field and back. The gun went off and Mike and Jane streaked down and back with the plate clutched in one hand and the marble in the other. They were disqualified but had a lot of fun. The only other contest they entered was for "over 8 " -- a peanut collection; from which they emerged with a handful of peanuts. Then home we went to lunch and a little rest.

The parade was at 3:00 this year, or actually at 3:30 for a little rain held things up but passed over. We had no company on the porch and Ann watched for a little while but found the light too much. They had a good many bands and floats and I do think it was the largest yet. Earl added a big top of canvas to cover the entire section around the snowball stand and with about nineteen relatives working hard they managed to keep the line from blocking the view. The fireworks weren't up to usual; didn't start till 9:15 and were all over at 10:00. Stevie loved them and had his finger sticking at in the air spouting "See, see" till he was hoarse (one of his few words). Kathy enjoyed them, too, from the porch, and Mike didn't comment one way or the other but after a few big ones, he arose from his chair and announced "Mother, think I should rest for awhile" and went in the house but watched out of the window. Saturday was another pleasant day with temperature in the eighties and low humidity and we did practically nothing. Ann stayed in most of the time and I clipped a hedge and cleaned up the cellar and some weeds besides washing the car. Yesterday Arlene and I went to nine o'clock Mass in the chapel as they are still working on the church. I was in there on Friday and they seem to be rounding the ceiling which had to be repaired. At 9:05 Father Hughes came down into the hall and announced the priest that was due from the Monastery had forgotten about it and they 'phoned someone else was coming. The substitute didn't show up till 9:30 and was in the uniform of a Navy lieutenant chaplain. At the time for announcements he told the people not to think it strange that he appeared in uniform, that he was a chaplain. As if that explanation wasn't bad enough, he added, "For those who do not know what a chaplain is..." and went on in detail to elaborate. Guess he thought he was really out in the sticks. Ann made it to church and back OK but I knew she couldn't see well yet because she walked up the road with the glasses on to get a pack of Camels. She had to use a vending machine and came back with Chesterfield - didn't notice the mistake till she came into the house. Being in for three days like that, I suggested a ride as far as Friendship airport yesterday evening about 6:30. She felt well enough and we were down in less than 25 -minutes; this was our second visit. Nothing much doing on Sundays but I'd like to visit their dining room or cocktail lounge sometime. We bumped into Mr. Hahn and Willis, Betty and their kids seeing Willis off on a trip to Columbus. On the way back we picked up Auntie Florence, Mr. Bellis' sister, and now we know where she lives with the Dorsey's. It's one of the Schatz Bros. place on Valley Road after you turn there at the golf course and head toward town and Wilkens Avenue. I've always known it as the Lippe chocolate people's place.

Saturday evening we turned on TV to see two movies; at 9:00 CBS is putting on weekly shows in place of Ken Murray or as his summer replacement. Anyhow, from 9 to 10 it was Paison - which I haven't spelled correctly but you know what I mean, that Italian film and very good. After that, the Gunther Playhouse was Louis Hayward, Richard Carlson, Joan Fontainne and Tom Brown in "The Duke of West Point" copyright 1937. So Gunther has apparently given up on English films and is obtaining more recent American first releases. I found it entertaining and it must have been one of Joan Fontainne's first appearances though she had a rather large part.

Have to teach four nights this week as Mrs. Brown asked me and she is vacationing again. TV and radio is given over almost entirely to the Republican convention and there are only a couple of parts of it I would like to see. Abe left Saturday morning for two weeks to Toledo, Detroit and Chicago now that his car is pretty well broken in.

Just before I started this, Mrs. Burton 'phoned and asked me to call her back when the others had gone to lunch. She said she heard the present tenant of our future home was preparing to leave, had found a house about 5 miles away and the movers were there to look over things and finally that she might be out in about three weeks so that the possibility is still there we could be it by the first of August.

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. Charles also teaches night for a business school - The Baltimore Institute.
The Bellis' live next door at 23 Bloomsbury. Jane and Edward are bout the same age as Charles' children.
The Fourth of July parade always passed their house on Bloomsbury.
Ann Clapsaddle is a high school friend of Ann.
Abe Scop is a lifelong friend of Charles.

Next Posting: July 14, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

A Quiet Week

Monday, June 30 1952

Dear Andrew and John,

I hear on the newscast that after several days of continuous rain you're all but floating. We had about two inches yesterday ending the unusual hot spell but the humidity is just as bad with today's 90°.

Got the prints back on the roll of black and white I took mostly at Arlene's graduation and then finished at home with one shot each of Stevie, Kathy and Mike outside. I had that old photo-attachment in the drawer for a couple of years and stuck in on to see what it would do judging the approximate distance. The printing was pretty bad in the Ritz pack but the negatives looked good so I sent to Pavelle for several, in fact three of each of the kids so we can send one along if they are presentable.

Friday night I minded the kids while Ann took a tour of Catonsville and spent an hour or two at her beloved Penny Wise Shop; no purchases, just talk. After she got home, we turned TV on about ten and, good news for John, it was Jackie Gleason's last show for good. I do believe, though, that he's coming back in the fall on another network (CBS) and Frankie boy, who was eased out and off CBS in March, is due on Dumont. As it was too warm to sleep we also saw Picture Playhouse; nothing worth telling about, but billed as a slapstick comedy called "Yes, Madam" with Bobby Bowes and Diana Churchill, if you've ever heard of her. She's a blonde with a close resemblance to Marion Davies in her prime. The announcer kept referring to them as Bobby Howe and Savannah Churchill. We sweated through Saturday around the house but did take a short drive after supper, and turned on your set in time for the Hit Parade. You would have enjoyed this one. It was also their last show of the season and, as they had announced the week before, it was televised from the new liner "United States". They must have had over a dozen cameras set up; started the show on the dock, followed the dancers up the gangplank, down corridors, into staterooms and Snooky, Dorothy and Eileen sang from the bridge, sun deck and ballroom respectively. As the cameras scanned the ballroom you could see they had it filled with an audience sitting at tables. We then turned over to the Gunther Playhouse and Kit Carson with Dana Andrews, Jon Hall and Lyn Barri. I don't know how old it is but it must have been an A and I had never seen it. Last night, in place of Red Skelton, they had a live play called "My Sister Emily", about the Bronte sisters and how they got started and starred Sarah Churchill. This hasn't been on in Baltimore all season yet they announced it was their final play for the year and Sarah made a curtain speech hoping they'd he back in the fall.

To cool off yesterday afternoon, I took Ann and the kids across country past McDonogh and over the Green Spring Valley Road, around and about and finally came out right opposite the Emerson Farm at Brooklandville which is also the home of the Hilltop Theatre. It will be only a short piece away when we're all out in the country as it is only 4 miles from Towson. I didn't see what they were offering yesterday but it must have been intermission and there was quite a crowd. Mrs. Burton called me noontime, by the way, and said she had told the people they had to be out in July. She also said the woman carried on and the husband also telephoned her but they finally agreed and said they had looked at a place in Bel Air and another on the Harford Road and would probably take one of them. As I said to Ann, in the beginning it was our understanding that the people wanted to get away and now you're almost afraid of putting in an appearance in the house. Ann also says it's not right to get something at the expense of someone. So, we're praying harder than ever for the solution.

We'll try to save some magazines for you when we get situated. I had the idea to Air Mail an entire Life but after wrapping in ordinary paper the fee was $1.80 and judging from parcel post, it would be a two month trip and a two pound item. I will, however, get a few of the smaller books in the mail in the next day or two until I think of something else.

You'd get a kick out of Mr. Bellis and his complex on shorts and bare skin. I believe I told you Ann can't send Mike out without his shirt as Jane and Edward won't allow him in the yard even when their father isn't around, and how he embarrassed one of Mary's girl friends and Arlene. Friday was his birthday and they got him two watermelons, among other things. Arlene and Sharon were playing in our backyard along with assorted Bellis' and neighbors and I was watching the kids. When it came time to cut the melons he told Arlene and Sharon, "well, I guess you can have a piece, even if you are wearing shorts". They got huffy and wouldn't accept. Ann was joking about it to Kay and Annie Clap when they were out and Kay, with that serious look she gets on her face as she doesn't laugh much says, "how did he get his 8 children?"

Ann and I walked up to Easton's yesterday morning to pay our respects to Monroe Tucker. Edith or rather Edythe was there and she weighs about 100 lbs. He looked so darn young and I guess he was only about 35. They told us he had been having trouble for about a year but what really gave him his first attack was that Mickey had been playing with a band saw in the back yard several months back when the saw jumped off and ran down his leg, cutting it severely including a tendon or two. When he dragged himself into the house and his father saw him, he suffered an attack. Mickey is all right now.

Earl's snowball stand opened with all the heat and is doing a roaring business mostly from passing traffic

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.
The Bellis' live next door at 23 Bloomsbury.

Next Posting: July 7, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner