Paris

Wed. March 7, 1945

Dearest Mary,

Three letters to-night and at last one of my packages. It was mailed the 20^th of Oct. The one from Johnnie. It contained the small box of ginger cookies from Oscar, Amelia’s cookies; and a large box of *____* (nuts). It sure was swell getting it Bum. Thank Johnnie properly for me. We had the cookies past a few minutes ago. Dick says, “Thanks again for such delicious cookies.” He remembered well all the cookies we used to have at Crounder. He still thinks your tops-can you imagine what I think? Oh, yes, the gum drops were swell too, the first I’ve had in a long, long time. Thanks again Bum.

One of the three letters was from Monty. She’s just as funny in her letters as when she’s speaking to you. Complained about all the painting they have to do. Ended up by saying that the new “Boy” wears a bow tie and is quite a “Lady’s Man”. Monty also said he was going to invite my wife to go to a show in Brunswick, any show she’d care to see. She said she liked to visit you, but the weather had been pretty bad during the pass few weeks.

Sherholz was just telling me about an opera that he saw a few weeks ago - “The juggler of our Lady” or “La Jongleur de Notre Dame” - I’d like to hear it now that I know the story. A juggler stands in front of a monastery gate trying to amuse the crowd. They don’t care for his efforts at juggling, but call for a drinking song. At heart he’s very religious and doesn’t want to sing what he considers a sacrilegious song. He’s persuaded after a while, and the crowd roars its approval. The prior appears and the crowd shrinks off. Only the juggler is left. The priest speaks to him and tells him to repent and to join the monastery. Just then the call to dinner is sounded, and the juggler decides that after all it would be the best for him. The monks later kneel before the virgin, and each speaks a prayer which he has prepared. The juggler has none, - but there comes over him a longing to express himself. So he dances before the altar. The monks are about to cast him out for such sacrilegious conduct. Just as they are about to lay hands on him, Our Lady appears, and with a maternal gesture, blesses the juggler, who responding to the call, dies seeing the heavens open to him. I think it would be quite interesting, don’t you? The music is very good.

The letters were from the 12^th and 13^th. Mish – The first telling of your first day at home – I’ll bet it was good to be there too. Poor Honey, will your troubles never stop – Sorry to hear about the plumbing and glad to know that it was replaced right away. Thank Mr. Williams for me – please – at least till I can write. That seems to be about all for now Bum, except as always and all ways I love you Sweetheart of all my dreams. Night your F.D.