Thursday night

Dearest Mom:

            You know that I haven’t failed to write to you in purpose even though it looks as that way. I have just been sorta over crowded all this week, that’s all.

            I have been out to Betsy’s twice this week. I have been trying to teach her some electricity and some physics.

            She is really swell to me. I have nearly learned how to dance. I am going to a dance this coming Saturday. I am really getting on the “rhythm road.”

            I don’t know when I will be home, was planning to come this week-end but Corley is staying down here himself and pay day is not until Monday so I had better not try I yet.

            Corley was “sworn in” wed April 1st. he is not on leave and still working and drawing $36.00 per month from the government. It is just like a gift. He is now in the army and subject to 24 hour call. I still think that he will be leaving May 15th because they have a class graduating then. Betsy’s bro gets his wings then. The whole family is going to Albany to see him graduate.

            Roy Sloan, the new boy, and myself are stepping out together right often and he has met a good-looking blonde on the street next to Betsy.  We were out last night sorta improving relations. You know what I mean.

            She had some pictures made the other day. She showed me the proofs Monday night. She doesn’t like them but naturally I thought they were swell. I think she is going to have them made over. I will get one of the finals.

            We went skating the other night and I was taking off her skates and I have to tell her about you hitting that fellow on the head when he pinched your leg. She thought it was real funny. We get along swell together. Just like peaches and cream.

            The girl that Roy met told me that Betsey liked me. That made me feel much better. She goes out a lot with other boys, but they are just old school chums as she has told me. I think I am getting along fine with her. I have a good footing with her family, that helps a lot.

            I went to the dentist today, and he only found one cavity. That shows I have been taking food care of my teeth. He said I could gain weight by eating a banana and drinking a pint of milk after breakfast and lunch. I haven’t started it yet but I am going to try it. I have got to gain some weight some how.

            If you know Dorothy’s address please send it to me and I will pay her a little visit some evening when I am out that way. She only lives a couple of blocks from Betsy. I may take her with me to show her off and all that.

            Send me Uncle Bens address too. I would like to write him to see if he is still alive and well. Might want to drop in on him this summer, so I had better get in good with him now.

            I will get two weeks vacation in June which is not very far off you know. It will be my last chance to see him for sometime if I get into the army. I have got to make this summer really count if I can because it will probably be my last free one for a long time to come.

            I read a little verse the other day and I like it so I will let you in on it. So near is grandeur to our dust. So near is God to man. When duty whispers low, you must. The youth replies, I can. Don’t you think that is a pretty good way at having to go to war. I like to think of it that way anyhow.

            Tell Granny and Aunt Cora to write to me sometime. That is if they want too. I will write to them as soon as I can find time. Give my regards to the Lechters for me, never mind Frances, she doesn’t mater in the least anymore. I am satisfied down here.

            If you see Mo tell him to drop a line and let me know how he is coming along with the new try air corps examination. I haven’t heard from Gene Vaughn yet, don’t know why he hasn’t written. Guess he can’t tell where he is just yet. Hope he gets sent down here to Camp Wheeler. We could have a good time together. I can get around down here O.K. now. You know that I am just joking though.

            I have just about out of news so I had better close.

            I will mail you a money order Monday, which is pay day so you should get it Tuesday or about them.

            Give my love to Ben and daddy for me. Tell Daddy I will try to send him some cigar money soon and tell Ben I might can let him have a little stamp money. But remember I have to pay the dentist this time and my raise does not take effect ‘till April 1 so I won’t get it until April 21. You know we get paid on the 6th and 21st of each month but the time goes in from the 1st to the 15th and 16th to 31st.

Well good bye for now.

Your nearly old son.

Lost of love,

Roy