Letter #14

October 30, 1942

Friday Afternoon

Carlton my dearest,

When I got home from the Beauty Shop last night, I found the lovely anniversary gift waiting for me. I eagerly undid the package, you may be sure. Darling, I just love the handkerchiefs. They are so cute, and so very different. I like both boxes, and can’t decide which ones I like the best. Thanks just loads for them, dear. I proudly showed them to the family, and Grandma said, “Carlton is surely a wonderful and devoted husband.” (Of course, I knew it without her telling me. In fact, I’ve known if for a little over 6 years!) But to get back to the grand gift. Everyone admired it a lot, and I think the handkerchiefs are grand. Those that have my name on them---the writing looked something like the way you write my name, I thought. All the handkerchiefs are so pretty, and I do thank you for them. I was so glad to get the package for two reasons. First, I was anxious to see what it contained; and secondly, it was quite some time ago that you said you sent it airmail, and I was afraid it might have been lost. It was probably held up at the customs. The duty wasn’t much, only $1.48.

Captain Cole phoned me today, and said he had the Major’s leaves for me for you. I told you in my last letter that he was going to get them for me, as there weren’t any in town. One of his lieutenants got them yesterday when he was at Fort Ontario. However, he could only get one set, as that was all they had left. I went over and got them after lunch this noon. And they were certainly cheap---50 cents for the two. I had a nice chat with Captain Cole. He seems very nice. He was in the World War I, and he thinks he will be going abroad again. His wife is in Kansas City, which is their home.

I have heard some scandal, darling, and I am so anxious for it to all come out in the paper, as it may do some day. I was told it in strictest confidence, but I will give you all the details when I can. It concerns two young men that we know that operate a garage here. It seems that they have been given the wrong classification by a member of their draft board, for a reason. I presume that either one or the other of them, or maybe both, will be in the army in 3 or 4 months. Everyone connected with the draft board knows about it, I understand.

Last night, after work, my dad, Aunt Sadie, and Sylvia cam here and picked me up in the car, and the 4 of us went to a “harvest supper” held at the little church at Hawleyton. There was a big crowd there, including a lot of people from Binghamton. It (the supper) is an annual affair. We had a lot of delicious food, including lots of vegetables. Next year, maybe you and I can attend it together. I know you would enjoy it. After we returned from Hawleyton, the folks dropped me at the Beauty Shop, and they went to the Capitol.

We weren’t so busy this morning, but things are picking up this afternoon. Mrs. McLaughlin is making out calls, and I keep getting interrupted. There is plenty of work to do, and I should stop and do it. It is time to get started on the monthly report, and how I dread it. It will be worse things month, as we are starting a new system of cards and filing, and I am afraid some of the cases and cards may have been mislaid, and my figures probably won’t balance. Anyway, one thing is better here. We are getting more volunteers to help us in this department. We have a typist for a half a day every day of the week except Saturday. It isn’t the same girl every day, but it is someone who can take shorthand and then write the letters for us, so that leaves me more time for the other work. And do I need it! We have more cases each month, and are simply snowed under a good share of the time. This month has been the busiest yet.

Must stop now and get to work on that old report. I’ll finish this letter this evening. If the report gets interrupted as much as this letter has, I won’t get it finished before the time to start my next month’s report. The report is supposed to be finished by the 6^th of the following month, and so far, this one has been in about on time.

10-30-42

Friday Evening

This evening about 4:30, Western Union called and read me your cable. I stopped and picked it up after work. Tonight, I am going over town and mail this letter and send you a cable. Although in this cable and the one I received Tuesday you said to send mail to A.P.O 302, I know that must designate some company or detachment, so I am sending your mail to Hq. II Corps, as was shown in the corner of the letter I received on Wednesday. It is wonderful to get cables and letters from you, my dearest, and I do appreciate them so much.

Yesterday, Grace Fuller fell on Chenango Street, and they sent the ambulance for her, and wanted to take her to the hospital. She insisted that she be taken home. As you know, Miss Fuller at Red Cross is Grace Fuller’s niece. She was down to see her Aunt this morning. She didn’t even know of the accident until she read of it in the paper, as Grace did not want her to know. Possibly Grace has a broken hip, but she won’t have the doctor. But Marion Fuller said that she was going to call the doctor tonight whether Grace liked it or not. Of course, Grace is not accountable for her actions, and you know how awful she always looks. And you know how she always used to go to church. I haven’t seen her in church in ages, not since I’ve been back, I don’t think.

Tomorrow, dear, I will get the knife for you, and will send it and the leaves to you right away. I wish I could go along too, and pin on your leaves. I’ve never seen how you look with them, but I can just imagine. I can sort of tell a little by the pictures you sent---the one in your field jacket, and the one with McDowells. But I would like to see you in person. Oh, how I would love to!

I mailed your Xmas package from me to you yesterday. I hope it reaches you all right, and in time.

Tonight, after I mail this and send the cable, I am going to the Bingham Hotel, formerly the Bennett, you know, and meet my father. He is at a dinner there, and expects to get out about 9 o’clock. Then we are going up to the Barnyard Frolic to watch for awhile. You remember, the Lion’s Club puts on the Frolic every year, and they have square dances, and have a contest to see which team is best. Well, my dad had to buy a ticket this year, as all the service clubs are helping out the Lions. So he and I are going up for a little while and look on. I guess there are more spectators than participants.

Grandma is all over her cold now. She is up and dressed all day. This afternoon she went for a short ride.

I kept thinking that it was just 6 months since I had seen you, and hoping that in another 6 months we will be together here again. I wouldn’t care what part of this country you were stationed in, if we could only be together, dear. I didn’t know it was possible to miss anyone as I miss you. But receiving those lovely handkerchiefs helped some, darling, and each letter I receive from you and each cable I get give me encouragement, for when I know you are all right and safe, I feel good myself.

So even if we were apart this past anniversary, we were together by cable, as well as possible. And thanks again for the gorgeous flowers, the loveliest I have ever seen, next to the bouquet I had for our wedding. And also for those very pretty and lovely handkerchiefs.

As you know, I have now received the package containing the Xmas handkerchiefs for our fathers and Grandpa Klock, and for your mother, and my birthday handkerchiefs. I wrote you before how perfectly exquisite I think they are. They are all so lovely, and those with the initials are beautiful. I’m crazy about them. And all that you have enclosed in the letters are here now, also.

I hope you get all my letters all right. When you move around so much, I presume it is sort of difficult to keep track of you and have it all forwarded to the right place. But I suppose you will get it all eventually. I hope so, anyway.

I feel so unworthy of you, darling, when I think of all that you are doing, and then see what I am doing. But someone has to do what I am doing. However, it seems like nothing compared to what you and some others are doing.

Please take care of yourself, sweetheart, and be careful of whatever you do.

I love you, my precious. And I’m impatiently awaiting the time we will be back together safely once more. All my love and kisses to you, my sweetheart---the best and sweetest and most thoughtful husband in the world.

Your loving and devoted wife,

Jeanette.