25 September 1943
(A letter from Orville & Eileen to Melvin)
Hi Corp;
Sat. morning and there is so much to do I don't know where to start. well, at least I can think I'm busy, can't I? By the looks of this dam contraption I really will be busy b/4 I get this thing in the mail. Everything seems to be under control on the home front, and I'm looking forward to a hard wintere should this Father draft blow me down stream and into your waiting arms. I can almost hear the bugle now when I read the newspaper and listen to the radio. Loty is planning on weeping dry tears already. But I'm cheerful-I still have confidence in my big tummy and my flat feet. Too bad you didn't have flat feet and a little round tummy that shook like a bowlfull of jelly. I never realized how luck I am until now. I don't think Eileen will have much approval for my typist accomplishments when she checks this little effort for correct construction. I must admit, though, that she isn't hard to please when I don't do my typing properly. May she will be willing to add something to this monstrosity b/4 the mailman gets here. I wrote a letter to your wife the other day, seeing as how I can't very well write to my wife. You know my (wife) is living with me and that complicates my letter writing to her somewhat. However your wife isn't so bad to write to, as she does write back once in a while. Anyhow we know that the kids haven't hung her up in a tree. The bull-pen next door quivers and shakes much the same as always. Art's voice still has the same hog-calling graciousness as usual, and his rowdy playmate sets the pace. Eileen, lucky girl, has a ring-side seat and keeps tab on the more hilarious plays. Some progress ? has been made, since they both speak - when they have to. The little steno you selected is the human one in there now. DeH. still has no applications from the Home yet, and the hill-top abode has sort of settled back for a long winter's nap. The App. u took withdrew under the present dir.s influence, which makes the work that much easier. DeH sits on his Fanny and Art does the outside work? after the usual fashion. Wes wrote a letter the other day, and prepared the way for an expected furlow sometime b/4 Xmas. He wrote from N.Y. and seemed quite sentimental as usual. We inferred that he was still single -poor boy. We will probably get the sordid details when he comes in for his furlough. Well, don't let the shines make a southerner out of you. Its bad enough being a white man without adding any color. Stand up and write us a letter once in a while, so we won't open an estate on you.
as ever,
O.K.
Dear Sir:
Please note the salutation! After looking over part of Orville's letter I decided this bit should be very business like, even tho its written in long hand. The typewrite does not seem to spell or hit the keys correctly. We are still working on the files and stat cards. We've ordered a new book for listing the cases numerically. Of course, we will start thro the complete mess again. I note in Orville's letter he compliments you on your pick of new steno. I agree with him but I still think she was picked for looks rather than ability. Better get this short note in the mail and get back to my pleasant (?) job of filing -
As ever, Eileen