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

A Picnic at Loch Raven and A Trip to Otter Point

Monday, July 14

Dear Andrew and John,

We have had a fairly quiet week - not as hot as the nineties until yesterday and today. The rains of last Monday and Tuesday deposited over 7 1/2 in. in the two days. The record was set on Monday when 5.9 in. fell in a 24 hour period. I don't have to tell you I'm glad to say we didn't have to show the house on those days.

Cousin Claire dropped in during the day, on Wednesday if I recall rightly, on her way to Ellicott City for part of her vacation, and left a cute pinafore dress for Kathy.

I had to work out the Doctor's all day Wednesday and about 4:15 he asked me to pick up the Mrs. at the beauty shop on Greenmount Avenue. She was a bit startled to see me and when she got in the front seat and I was preparing to start off, said: "You know, Charles, it has always been my policy not to take chances or try to save a few seconds when you get there just the same by taking it easy." I assured her I seldom played speed demon and took her hone at a steady 25 miles an hour. The reason I mentioned this, the rest of the time she repeated the story that the maintenance man, a fellow named Richard at the farm, had it direct from the woman now in our house out there, that if Mrs. Burton wanted them to get out so badly they would do so. I could tell that Ann was on pins and needles to see if any progress was being made so I suggested she see about her eyes on Saturday and we take a few sandwiches and drive out to the country. So I got an appointment with the same eye Doctor for 9:30 Saturday morning and we took the picnic basket (2nd time it had been used) ful1 of sandwiches and potato chips plus the thermos jug of ice cubes and some Pepsis, together with the kids and Arlene's girl friend Mary Margaret Tucker. There is still is still nothing serious with Ann's eyes but a slight astigmatism in one but the doc thought a change in prescription necessary to the tune of $23.50 and that with the cheapest lenses; but it's good to know there is nothing serious. We headed out Loch Raven Blvd. and beyond, passing to the east of Towson and skirted Loch Raven itself to the other side where there is a fair-sized bridge and a stretch of pines with picnic facilities. We were the only ones there for the next hour while we ate end let the kids run around a little. Ann went to the water and dragged back a 50 lb. hunk of drift wood we brought back in the rear of the car which she intends to use for something or other. We then found the roads directly to Hyde (I received a letter from the farm this week and this times it was postmarked with Hydes) were closed and we had to detour around Glen Arm Road and then over Long Green Pike. We rode past the house to the church, turned around and back again. I could see nothing changed from the last time we were out that way maybe two months ago but Ann, with her woman's intuition, says everything is OK and she just feels it that moving is in process. She'll have to explain that to you herself. They didn't want to go home but suggested Otter Point, that is, down on the river by Edgewood; so we got there about 1:30. The river was beautiful and while the kids had no bathing suits and didn't go in, they got a kick out of standing on the pier that runs out for about fifty feet where the lawn ends 100 ft. in front of the house. The river there, as I may have told you before, is about a mile across. We left there at 3:00 and came back by way of the Joppa Road across Towson and by Emerson Farms and the Hilltop Theatre and home by 5:00. Ann finally got her ironing and baths out of the way so we sat down at ten to watch a little TV. The Oriole baseball game was just going off way ahead of time and the Gunther movie is not scheduled till 10:30. For the half hour in between they put on Snader Shorts of songs by Theresa Brewer, the Delta Rhythm Boys, Ginnie Simms and some colored gal whose named escapes me... We also enjoyed the movie, back to an English-made "The Counterfiters" with an English cast and then one of those things, all by itself, "Presenting Lon Chaney, Jr.". It was well made and well acted; the only fault I guess you could find was that the entire locale was supposed to be Los Angeles and they ran out of gangsters and bit parts without American accents. Sunday we sat around as it was very warm and Ann wanted to keep the little ones quiet. We saw Philco present "A Letter to Mr. Priest" which is another repeat from last year or the year before. Looking over the TV program I saw where we missed Joan Crawford in "Rain" which was on at 6:00 p.m.

A bit over a week ago Arlene wrote you a two sided letter on a 8 1/2 x 14 sheet of mimeograph paper which she gave me to mail. After looking it over, we don't see how she got out of the 8th grade and Ann made her take it back to do over which I see hasn't been done as yet. Last week's injuries to the babies was confined to a spider biting Stevie in several places on his ankle which merged and turned into a messy sore which took four days to get the half inch diameter scab it has on it now. Mike was bitten on the upper lip and under the right eye by something on Friday which had his face all out of proportion in swelling and redness. This time Ann got Stevie a complete-whiffle which I'd like to capture on film but probably wont. I'm enclosing a couple of prints on which Pavelle did a little better job than Ritz. The one of Kathy is anything but flattering, especially the dirty shirt, but it gives you an idea.

Today's news by Ann at my noontime call was that we received an announcement of Sally's wedding on Saturday, July 12. No doubt you have, also been sent one and it will arrive about the time of this unless it went by regular mail. Ann didn't, have it handy so I don't know the name of the fellow but we are going to send a congratulation card in care of Mrs. Hauge.

As for neighborhood news, there's not much. The filling station across the street is again open under new management, having closed down two weeks ago. I have been parking the car in the back yard and the birds and plum tree have been giving it a work-out. Ed and Marie Pierpoint are looking for a place; they can't stand Mrs. P's nagging and general attitude any longer. Ann is still mad at Milka and May Smith. Milka greeted her one day with "Why Mrs. Conner, my you've grown fat". And after Ann, had taken off a few pounds. And May called her over one day and very confidentially said, "We've decided not to raise your rent". Ann begged her pardon and she repeated it. Ann said she was sure she had the wrong party and May said, "You're Mrs. Batchelor, aren't you?" We drove by the radar set up at Rolling Road and the new Highway and it's a mess. A dozen tar paper shacks, a few big guns, and trash everywhere. The headquarters company stationed at old St. Timothy's has, as I told you, surfaced half the lot on Ingleside with stone for a parking place and has made a soft ball diamond out of the rest with the usual results.


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.
Ann has a cousin with a house at Otter Point on Bush River east of Baltimore County.

LINKS

Next Posting: July 21, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner

A Fire - A Flat - An Olympic Telethon

Monday, June 23 - rainy

Dear Andrew and John,

In my last couple of letters I have overlooked answering John's question about his bonds. Another came in last week and got them out to compare postmarks and dates. The way they work it evidently is that the bond states - for example, your first one, John, is "for the month of November" addressographed on the face, dated the middle of December, postmarked the 27th of December and received the first week in January. So it appears they run a month behind. For both of you, I forgot to mention the taxes. This year they were $68 and we held out $17 from each of your deposits last week; I paid the tax bill on Wednesday and received the receipt Saturday together with a refund of thirty-four cents; making I owe you each 8 1/2 cents. Now if we sell the house around the first of July, the new owner has to pay for 6 months worth of taxes and that, too, will be refunded to us.

I called Cousin Anna last Wednesday- because Ann was up the road one day early in the week and Jeannette Bower's sister stopped her to ask if she had heard that Mary had another baby. I knew that Mary had been at 417 August around Easter time and they said they noticed nothing then; so, if you have been in contact with her, let us know. Cousin Anna also said Mary had called them about a month ago when she was passing through town. There was quite an item in the papers about a small house having burned near Ellicott City in April, I think, and five children, all small, burned to death. Several older ones and the mother and father were saved. It seems the mother, who is around 28, was and is Frank's sister and Mary and he had been to the funeral when they called the Boehms.

I filled in for Mrs. Brown at school on Friday night again but could head out of town by my regular route as the Catholic War Vets had a big parade from the 5th Regiment down Howard and Baltimore streets. I had to go up to Mt. Royal and then across Lafayette. Right in the middle of another colored settlement I noticed kids setting something in the street in the opposite lane and just then a big Buick came along and crunched a coke bottle. Yes, I caught one of the larger pieces in the, right front tire and spent a half hour tire changing. This time, though, the casing wasn't damaged and I had the tube repaired on Saturday. One year without a flat and then to have two in two weeks from the same source.

Because of the Telethon Saturday night, the Gunther movie, Brewster's Millions, with Dennis O'Keefe, Helen Walker, June Hayes and Micha Auer, was on from 9:30 till 11:00. I still think the object of sending Olympic team members to Helsinki is a bit silly but maybe it's a worthy cause. Bob Hope came on right at 11:00 but the first three quarters of an hour was devoted to speeches. I managed to take down about one half the names scheduled to be on and I'll list them first: John Scott Trotter and orchestra, Dorothy Lamour, Abbott and Costello, Annamarie Albergetti, Victor Young, The Bell Sisters, Burns and Allen, Dinah Shore, Joe E. Brown, Sonja Heine, Phil Harris, Rosemary Cluney, Corrinne Calvet, Walter Pidgeon, William Bendix, Eddie Cantor, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Edward G. Robinson, Ezio Pinzo, John Mack Brown, Ben Blue, Hoagy Carmichael, Dick Powell, Eddie Bracken, Walter O'Keefe, Lina Romay, J. Carroll Nash, Jack Haley, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Weismueller, Tennessee Ernie, Peggy Lee, Jack Durante, Champ Butler, Lou Holtz, April Stevens, Joe E. Lewis, Space Patrol, Time for Beany, Frank Fontaine, Rose Marie and Martin and Lewis. Bing came on a little before twelve and he and Dorothy and Bob horsed around for awhile. We also saw Abbott and Costello do their baseball skit and several un-notables and by that time it was a quarter to one and we shut it off as every five minutes they were posting telephone numbers for Hollywood and Baltimore and breaking in for commercials from Baltimore. The show was carried by both NBC and CBS, that is both WMAR and WBAL in Baltimore. WMAR signed off but WBAL kept in on the full 11:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. They didn't list it that way in the papers; there it was scheduled to sign off at 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. but after I took Mommie to 7 o'clock Mass on Sunday I came back and thought I'd see if I could pick the program up from Washington and there it was on WBAL - channel 11. We had it on then until they went off at 1:30. You have to give it to Dorothy Lamour, she stayed at the mikes the whole time--the full 14 1/2 hours but Bing and Bob were out for a massage from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday. I forgot to say they had Bing in full toupe' and Admiral's jacket and he looked pretty good. I thought he'd have an old straw hat and a sport shirt on. Jackie Coogan was acting as master of ceremonies Sunday morning along with Dorothy and we saw Tony Romano, Forrest Tucker, Time for Beany, Patches, Space Patrol, Jack Durante, Peggy Lee, Liberache, Annemarie Albergetti, and the best, Frank Fontaine, who had his ten year old son, Bobby, who did the same stuff in beat with his Frank L. C. Savoni. They also wasted too much time Sunday morning switching to New York for interviews with Joe Walcott, Joe Louis, Grantland Rice, Barney Ross, and many different golf and other sports personalities. They also put on too much pressure, saying such things as "we have Peggy Lee backstage to sing but won't put her on till we get such-and-such an amount" or "the 'phones have stopped ringing and we won't go on with the show until you start contributing again". They could have done without that. Nevertheless, I'm sure you would have stayed up for the whole thing. The papers, this morning reported that it got really good between 2 and 4 when Martin and Lewis tore the place up and Bing, Bob and Ezio did a trio on Doodlely-Doo. Last night and Red Skelton 's last show, he was kidding them all through his program by saying, "we haven't heard from Philadelphia yet" etc. As they went off the air the figures showed $1,000,020.00; their goal had been only $400,000.

It has been raining ever since Friday night. We only went out yesterday about 7 p.m. to take Aunt Tillie home as she had an early-date; she had dropped in at 2.

A fellow and his wife were in on Tuesday to beg us to rent the place to them. She looked familiar and I later found she is the sister of the Baker girl who lives with Moore's, if you know her. Anyway, he is building or rather is going to build a house over next to Smith's on Rognel and he wants a place for about six months close at hand; also, his place has been bought by the county on Mellor Avenue, where they are completing a cut-through to Newberg to link up a by-pass from the traffic on Frederick. He has to be out by July 1st. I noticed a piece in last week's Argus signed with his name: "No longer responsible for debts other than those etc." but they were so lovey I didn't think it could be the same couple. On Saturday I asked Ed Pierpoint and he said oh yes it was, they beat each other up weekly and about a week ago he came home drunk (they have nine children) about 3 in the morning and fired the gun he was carrying into the ceiling. The wife ran out the front door screaming, neighbors report, and children were diving out of every window. Ann says she could just see him in our place, when the toilet failed to work, unloading his firearm into the sewerage.

The Balmarts spoke some outside of church yesterday morning while I was waiting for Ann. They said they guessed you'd be home before long now and I replied that's what everyone thought but you had explained very carefully in your letters to the contrary. They said oh no that wasn't so because Donald is something-or-other in some headquarters and blah-blah-blah. So I just let them go on and hope you don't feel badly about my telling you this but it's just as you say the way the papers and the people don't agree with what is actually happening. So, we understand the way you have shown it but it's no use trying to insist upon it to others.

I'm supposed to get the black and white roll of film this week that I took the day of graduation and everyone's on it so I'll send prints in about another week if all goes well.

END OF LETTER

Editor's Note:
Anna Boehm is Charles' cousin who lived at 417 Augusta Ave. Charles sister, Mary is married to Frank.
Tillie is Ann's Aunt.
John is an amateur playwright and has an avid interest in the entertainment arts. Charles tries to include as much of this as possible in his letters.

Next Posting: June 25, 1952

Copyright 2012 Stephen A Conner