January 19, 1945

Somewhere in Belgium

Dearest Pheety,

Well Margaret I did get a letter from you finally, your letter of December 4^th telling me about you Dad. I told you in one of my recent letters that my mother told me about it. Yes Darling I was shocked and it still don’t seem true, but when I come back and not find your Dad there is when I’ll realize he is gone. I too feel for your mother Pheety and I don’t blame her for moving off the farm. It just haunts old memories and anyway there’s too much work there for women folks. I hope she don’t move away from Belfter. But if she does, I want you to stay there Darling. To come back to you to some other town wouldn’t seem like coming home. I met you in Belfter and fell in love with you there, we lived there and that’s where I want to find you when I come back soon.

I’m glad you quit your job in Springfield, as you knew I didn’t want you there in the first place. Not in a beer joint and I told you all about that in previous letters. I’m sorry Darling you have to work on the farm for a while but I understand the present circumstances. I’m glad you’re planning on working at the telephone office, anything to keep you busy til I come back Darling. I don’t suppose you’ve had a chance to save any money but we’ll get a start somehow. You haven’t told me what you’ve been doing with your money but I think I know- Darling when you move I know, you’ll look after my things cause you’re my little lovely wife. I only hope that Etta isn’t around when you move, please take me advice Margaret and keep your eyes open, she’ll steal some of your clothes. Do you ever have to sleep with her Pheety, I hope not cause your little body is too lovely to lay alongside of hers. I guess you know by now that I have nothing to do with her and never will. I still think she took my cigarette case off the table while I was in New Orleans.

When we have a home of our own Pheety we’re going to live in Cleveland, cause if we live in Belfter, she’ll be forging in all the time. That is one woman who will never enter me house your brothers wife or not, I mean just those words. Why do you run around with her? Don’t tell me you like her cause I can quote a few of your opinions of her when I was home. I just can’t bear that woman, don’t forget it Margaret. I’m sorry to hear about your Grandma Pheety, she’s had such a tough time and I suppose your Dad being gone has made her condition worse. Please for me tell her I send my sincerest regards and that I pray she recovers soon. Oh my darling you just have me in suspense all the time. Please be more careful and don’t be in such a hurry when you go up or down those steps. Please just for me be more careful Darling. Why Pheety if something should happen to you I’d just die too. You’re on my mind so much and there’s just one big reason why I won’t get home as soon as I can. You’re the reason Darling and if I couldn’t have you when I come back, (because you broke your neck) what in the world would I have to live for. Please be more cautious.

Boy am I glad to hear you’re gaining weight, oh Pheety that means for the first time since your operation that you’re going to be the size you were when I met you. But Darling I was satisfied with the way you were when I left. Boy were you ever lovely in that bathing suit and what legs and breast. And to think that solid chunk of love is none other than my sweet little wife, all mine and no one else’s.

And about the popes, I sure had a big laugh, I’ll bet that’s some sight. What kind of a pipe are you smoking Pheety, remember I have some lovely pipes you can smoke if you like. But don’t let that Etta have one of them or I’ll never forgive you I you do.

Prince Albert or Union Leader, are about the best common tobaccos for pipes. Pheety do you wear my red lined jacket anymore, I hope so as it always was so warm on me. My Pheety can have or wear anything I own, remember that Darling but don’t ever let me hear or catch anyone else wearing them. OH Margaret I’ll be so glad when we get a home of our own where we won’t have to worry about someone stealing (perhaps Etta) our clothes or wearing them when we’re away. I never did like Peg wearing some of your clothes off to Springfield even though I do think a lot of her. You earned your belongings Darling so why cant she? Oh just wait cause Boy when I get home EVERYTHING will be different, right Pheety? We’ll have a place all our own just like you said. Even if it’s only a little apartment at first. I know I’ll have a job cause I got a lovely letter from Mr. Voelker my trainmaster the other day. He writes me often even though he is such a busy man.

Oh Pheety I know I’m always writing things in letters I shouldn’t but you know how worked up I get when you mention your mother having to care for the kids and Etta this and Etta that. I know you wont be angry with me cause you feel just like I do about the whole set up. I don’t see how you could even stand to sleep with Etta, do you Darling. Gosh I hope not. It’s terrible to feel about someone like I do her but I just can’t help it. Your such a Darling little angel Pheety, you’re too lovely and innocent to have to associate with her company cause she’s been around, you can bet your boots on that. And the way she talks around the table is downright vulgar.

I hope you’re still feeling fine my love and are gaining more weight. Only please be careful and don’t fall again. You ended your letter so sweet Darling. I always love to hear you say no one can ever take my place. Oh it’s so wonderful to have one love me so much. You’re just full of thrills Darling and I love you with all my heart. No one can ever take your place either Margaret and you know it. You know what I still think of you from my last letter of Jan. 15^th and wasn’t that a masterpiece. I think that’s the best letter I’ve ever written to you Pheety.

I’m feeling fine and am O.K. as our work had showed up quite a lot since I wrote you last. Don’t worry, we’ll be busy again soon.

Don’t forget my little Hayseed that I dream of you day in and day out, you’re on my mind constantly so how could I ever think of any one else. I love you Pheety more than you’ll ever know. Please write more often and here’s all my love and kisses to just you. All my love, Your Dumplin