Letter 16

7 April 1945

In Bed

Hi Stinky Pinky –

Methinks I’m a trifle mixed up in letter numbers again – So if you get [two] #16’s, don’t let it bother you – anyhow, the last one I wrote was Friday, 4 May.

You should see your b*tches tonight! – both clean as a whistle – I gave pretty Penny a bath and she’s so pleased with herself, it’s funny. And I washed my hair and just got out of the tub – so you can see what I mean. Penny really takes nicely to baths – she only jumped out once and even that minor misdemeanor was before I turned the water on. I wash her in a big tub, down in the basement. She’s quite frisky and gay these days – jumps straight up in the air, kinda’ like a Terrier, and she bounds all over the place – so much energy I have never seen!!

What did I do this weekend? – well, Sat. a.m. I worked and then Ruth Rutherford and I hopped on the 1:30 bus for Peetstown – and went shopping. I only bought 2 things – stuff to make us a pretty white rug – the kind that feels wonderful on your bare feet – and 5 ½ yds. of Irish linen toweling for dish towels. Both are going to be very hotsy-totsy and you should be very proud of me and think I’m wonderful! Seriously tho – I’ve been collecting little odds and ends – new dish cloths, an oilcloth lining for the inside of the wash basket, etc. Incidental, Mother and Dad and Fred are giving us the Irish linen for a wedding present – they knew I wanted it – and naturally there was none to be had in Washington. They also gave us a table cloth.

To get back to Sat – Ruthe bought a few things and then we headed for the C + B for a drink or two and dinner (I’m saving the Hofbrau for us!) and then home.

Sunday – church – and an afternoon of bridge out here – very quiet weekend, see?

Today has been very turmoilish, what with the world waiting for Allied confirmation of the German surrender. I got piles of work done today – for we get as many ads in as possible, as the merchants will be closed on V-E day. We had an extra already to go [at] about noon – but, of course, it had to be scrapped when no conformation came from the Big Three. Something fishy in this deal – and methinks it might be Russia, for it’s known that Truman and Churchill were ready to speak at noon today. You should be around a newspaper office when something like this breaks – it’s lots of fun.

The story as I got it over AP and UP wires today is this: Kennedy, AP’s chief war correspondent, was present at the German surrender and sent a detailed story to Eisenhower’s main headquarters (K. was at Eisenhower’s advance base) and Eisenhower himself phoned to Paris to ask if the story had gotten thru the censors – which it did. Then, after it reached this country – and AP scooped the world – it was squelched – and one story is that Stalin couldn’t be reached in time for a proclamation today – so there you are. Tis funny, isn’t it, that Kennedy’s story would get thru to this country – and be sanctioned by Eisenhower? AP, incidentally, was suspended in Europe today, and the other services were, too – auto – naturally.

Neither AP or UP has offered any explanation on the suspension – as for as they’re concerned, the war in Germany was over today. Gads, you should have seen the Tele – it was terrific, as you can imagine.

So, tomorrow at 9 a.m. Churchill will issue his proclamation – as will Truman and, I suppose, Stalin, tho no mention has been made of the latter.

Golly, it’s a wonderful thing - to have the Germans down with, after such a long, dragged-out affair – for it means that things will be concentrated more on the Pacific.

I just hope, as you do, that the peace terms are good – tho I have my doubts –

But to return to the home front – and more particularly, the Brady home – the radio tube situation is looking up – we need 3 tubes, the 2 – 35Z5’s and a 50L6 – and I have managed to acquire, by devious means, one of each kind – and a promise of the other 35Z5. I took the radio in to Wayne Lightner and he’s checked it, etc – and all in needs now is the tube. So please cross your fingers!

And, I am acquiring, believe it or not, a Sunbeam Ironmaster ( iron, to you – the best one [on] the market and the one I’ve always wanted) for us – yes, you’re right – the S.A. Meyer Co – that account, my love, is my most valued, for it’s very profitable. They get several in a month and lil Emil has an A-1 plus priority for the next shipment. The iron retails at 9.95 – and I get a 20 % discount – or is it 30 % - I can’t remember – anyhow, I’m tickled pink. Three S. A., I have also gotten $1.20 leg make-up for 40¢ - a $1.00 radio tube for 61¢ - so you see, it really is a profitable account.

So you can see, I’m keeping pretty busy of late, building up the Brady ménage and how I love it!! We’re really gonna have something, darling, even if we do start out first by acquiring dish towels, irons, etc. Just wait and see –

I’m going to have lunch with Doe tomorrow – we have lots to talk over in regards to your letters. We’re a pair of dopes, I guess – but we’re sure looking forward to my birthday!

I’m enclosing the usual clippings. Betty Forsberg was married Sat. oft – is honeymooning in the South and will leave temporarily in Wash, D.C. He’s a double bars – been in 3 ½ yrs.

Wed a.m. I’m to take Nona out to Classer’s to stay overnight – she continues in a good mood, looks better every day – and so you see, my darling, life on the home front is exceedingly o.k. – Please take good care of [yourself] – come home soon and stay as wonderful as you are – I love you –

Yours

Emil