August 22, 1940

Dear Pauline,

I don’t think I can make the visit home for Labor Day – will try to some other weekend in the future. I have been laid off from work and have applied for my insurance compensation, in fact I should receive a check for $16.00 this week as I have already received my statement concerning the wages I earned and the amount that I am going to receive.

I suppose you wondered why I didn’t come home when I got laid off; well it was due to the business that I had to attend and other personal business that is coming up. I received my birth certificate and affidavit from Mr. Moore’s. I inquired about it and was told that I would receive some by mail. So I had to hang around and wait till the mail man brought it as I was afraid that the papers would be lost or mislaid as I did not see Mr. Moore personally to discuss my birth record I received the papers and the name on the envelope was addressed as Sevastenok, so I’m taking it for granted that when I get called back to work; my name on the company’s record will be Sevastenok from then on. I went to the city hall the other day to register to vote. The clerk asked me how long I had been in Detroit and mother’s maiden name, so I took an oath and registered as Sevastenok.

I still have other business to attend to such as changing my name at the union hall, social security office, unemployment insurance office. I don’t think I’ll receive very many insurance checks as a friend of mine has been notified to report for work already – chances are I’ll be called in next week.

The shirts I received I exchanged them at a store here where I do my buying…so don’t never send me any clothes anymore – not that I don’t appreciate it. Where Mary’s concerned I don’t see no reason why she should give you the go – by everything about seem Kosher, maybe this woman’s husband is kiddin’ her along or there may be a guy hanging around there that’s playing her for a chump – any way she’s old enough and should know some of the answers that fellow I mentioned to you before (Al. Bhick) has come back to Detroit, he has been trying to find work here, but with all these factories taking inventory they keep telling him there won’t be any hiring of any new men for 2 or 3 weeks yet – he said he may stick around till the end of the month and there go to Brisco. If he decides to go to Brisco he can get a break by driving a new car there to the coast as they have drive away car agencies here. A person has to put up a $5.00 deposit in advance and in return they pay you $2.50 a day and expense the trip takes from 8 to 10 days. I sent Bhick down to the past office to get a social security card as he has to have one. He tried to get a card under the name of Bhick. That’s the name he uses when he fights in the ring, but he had to take the card out in his own right name. How did you make out with your birth record, did all of you get the records straightened out?

Bhick and I went to the crap game in Toledo and as usual I whacked out. I dropped in a beer garden the other night and some dame tried to take the hard way out. She took an over dose of knock out drugs – they rushed her to receiving hospital for the pump. Found out later it was, boy trouble she’s screwier than I am well so long see you in church and in the meantime tell Mary to keep her nose clean.

Your bro,

Pete

Pauline –

Address your letter to me as Sevastone – till I hear from the company where I work I’ll let you know when to change to Sevastenok –

P.S.

Best luck and regards to all