May 14, 1942 - Dear Audrey
Of course I fell asleep thinking of you.
If only he had known that his letters would be valued and shared he might have saved hers. While we only get half the story, I think we're figuring it out. He lives for mail from her and same for her. Apparently, she's going to start knitting something warm. That's good because May continues to be cold and dreary especially up in the gun pits. His pay increase continues to work its way through the politicians. Some are pushing for $50 per month so the discussions continue.
Original Letter
Transcript follows.
The Boston Globe - May 14, 1942
So this guy breaks the home run record in a single game and he can't even get out of bed. Geez. They probably should have known that gas stations would be crazy. No one quite understands how rationing is going to affect life. It's not going to be easy. And these are not self-serve pumps either. Mrs. Roosevelt gets her "A" card good for 21 gallons but ladies wearing slacks... well we still have a long way to go.
The Boston globe - Sports
Well good, at least he can get dressed for this picture. Apparently there are two Tobins - one plays baseball and one is a mayor?
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Meanwhile in Hartford...
A new record was set yesterday, it was 85 degrees - that's hot for Hartford. Or should we call it "Hotford" - that's a LOL. The war rages on while gas rationing is implemented. The idea is that if you register as a "combination" that is, you're both a passenger car and have commercial use, means that you will be eligible for more gas but alas, that is not the case. And trying to steal ration cards from the school's safe? Even though they weren't successful, the FBI is now involved.
Transcript - May 14, 1942
Bat H 9th C.A, Fort Banks
Dear Audrey,
Here it is Thursday and I’ve received a letter from you. It was a nice letter, but at the time you wrote you didn’t know whether I’d got back to camp all right or not. I hope you received the first letter I wrote you before this. What I’m really trying to say is that it takes too long for the mail to be delivered. It takes three days for your letters to reach. Lord only knows when I would get your letters if they sent me to Iceland or someplace.
I signed the payroll for the next payday this morning. I’m sure to get paid June 1 now. If it means $42.00 it will be worth waiting for, but the chances are it will only be a paltry $21.00. I’m glad to see you are taking some steps toward keeping me warm. I’ll be looking forward to it this week. Or will it be another week?
It’s cold and dreary to-day and it was cold last night up in the gun pits. I was sure glad to slide into my bunk when we got thru. Of course I fell asleep thinking of you. I do that every night. I dream of that little house we are going to have out in the country some day. I miss you so much. You know I gathered up all your old letters the other day and was going to throw them away. But all the rubbish cans were gone and so I put them in my pocket until I found some place to throw them. I couldn’t just leave them anyplace for everyone to read. My wife’s letters are just for me. Anyway they stayed there until this morning and so now I’ve decided to keep them for a while. See what a lucky “kid” you are to have strings tied to me. Wow!
Well I think we are going to a lecture this afternoon and so I’m closing this now to put it in the afternoon mail. I love you – I love you – I love you (and I am not just taking up space either) so sweetie, maybe I’ll write later on.
Love,
Leonard
Next letter tomorrow, May 15, 1942
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