July 15, 1940

                                                                                1722 SW 14th

                                                                                    Monday

Dearest Dotty -----

     Got home this afternoon just as your letter came and it was very welcome - I wasn't sure whether I'd get one on account of you said you were going to the show and everything - However, I never thought of you writing a special delivery - you're just too clever -

     So you missed me at the movies - guess it's been quite a while since either of us went to the show without the other one of us being present - I know when I went with Von last week it didn't seem quite natural -

     Got back to Portland last night OK but really had one narrow escape - some guy nearly took me out of the play on the super-highway between here and Oregon City - it was all his fault but I was really in a tight spot for awhile - tell you the details later -

     Guess I was sleepier than I thought yesterday - my eyes were awfully tired when I got to Portland and it's a good thing I didn't leave Eugene any later than I did - guess Wester isn't a very good man to sleep with.

     Whatever gave you the idea I was mad at you or something yesterday - you know darn well I wouldn't ever think of doing such a thing - it may have been that I was too tired or sleepy to say much, but I certainly didn't want to take it out on you - so please forget it - will you - my love -

     I am looking forward very much to seeing you in Portland this weekend and I hope you are feeling better by then -  I want you to make out a list of things you want to do and I'll do the same - Then when we get together we can compare notes and really swing out -  Remember I'll be at your disposal all weekend to take you anywhere you want to go and also to kiss you good bye when you leave -

     Tony just dropped in from Eugene on his way to Hood River -  He is going to stay with me tonite - After I finish this letter we are going to go out and see what the town has to offer -  Wish you were here, but I'll be a good boy anyway - maybe -

     The apartment is rather nice, but I have a hunch I won't be staying here for more than a month - Met a fraternity brother of mine today - Bob Moser, whose home is in Eugene and who in now working for an architect here in Portland.  He lives up the street a ways at some clip-joint where they toss out board and room for $25 per mo. and he says it is not bad and he is also looking for a roommate - so I have just about decided to take him up on it - I was never cut out to cook my own meals anyway --

     Remember I am waiting for your letter practically at once -

                                                               All my love,

                                                                               Bill

July 15, 1940 Special Delivery from Dotty

                                                                                        July 15, 1940

Bill, dear,

     Hope you are home when this letter should arrive.  After you left yesterday, I slept harder than a rock till Bev came and woke me up.  We went to the show, and it was really cute.  But darnit I missed you.  I don't like this idea of saying goodbye every Sunday.

     Did you get home all right?  And please gargle or something so you won't have a sore throat this coming weekend cause I think mine's going to be a lot better and I can hardly wait for Saturday to come.  If we were busy working the time might go faster but we're not and it just drags by. --

     I think that tonight I am going to be a very busy & industrious girl.  I have to clean out all my drawers and sort and clean my clothes and start mending, darning, etc.  Maybe that will keep me busy for a while.  Then I have just got to start studying.  Why don't you scold me a little or sumpin so I will get to work.

     They certainly are digging a huge pond out here. This one old truck moves back & forth pushing dirt hither & yon -  I hope there aren't too many mosquitoes born & bred  & too many other miscellaneous bugs. -

     Say - you weren't mad at me or anything for anything I'd done or said.  Or were you really just tired.  Anyway we'll both rest up during this week so we can swing out Saturday & Sunday.

     "Awaiting hearing from you" --- and I do love you -

                                                                       Dotty

July 13, 1940

Dearest -
     Karl & I purchased your birthday present today and is it pretty -
He is here now and we have it all wrapped up -
     Marge called up tonight and we have to hurry right up to her place.  Doris is staying home from the beach so she can try on my dress.  Marge may be at the train, too!
I am leaving here at 12:25 so should get in Portland at 3:45 - if the train is not late - from there to Marge's and from there ---------------
     I am a well woman, In fact I don't think you will recognize me - and have I been eating - perhaps I'll be a little tub pretty soon - only I am going to cut down -
                         See you Sat. ---
                              Lots of love
                                 & kisses
                                  Dotty

July 11, 1940 second letter

Hello dear: -

     Three guesses where I am - Yes in the library - I met Karl coming up and read your letter to him - he also brought me here - and now I don't feel like studying -

     My eyes are a little bit better but now my throat is sore as the devil.  I am going to have to have my tonsils out in six months.  What he is doing for me now will only cost $2.00 a month cause I took out a Pacific Hospital Ass'n ticket, and in six months they will take out my tonsils costing me nothing.  I figure I will pay less in the long run by the 2.00 a month method.  Happy fun games. I am getting fed up being sick all the time.

     The stiff's hanging up to dry sound thrilling - Glad I wasn't there tho to see them - uff - And your work sounds like pretty long hours - Sounds as bad as old Dean Morse's office - guess the Medical School budget should be increased some more -

     Wow - all these old sour pussy school teacher's sitting around are getting me down - Don't know whether I like it so much or not - But do or die - Guess I'll die - and what's the use -

     Your hint is accepted about the meals and you are very welcome to share our meagre refreshments -

     The green dragon has still a little gas leak but I am through with the all night - Sat. after work I will take it to my friends the O.K. - I have had a dicken's of a time turning that little gadget in front on and off -

     Sounds like Portland is interesting - Darn - wish I were there - I'm awful unhappy now and it's only the first week - Hurrah for Bob Moody - now you can probably come down more often -

     All these funny looking people are still getting me down - I am going to give up in a minute and go home - but I have nothing to do there - Oh Hell -

     I still can hardly wait till we go to the Beach - Guess I am not in too happy a mood at present -

     Von's car sounds like a pretty nice one - And I am glad to hear your little job is doing so well - It's a pretty good thing too, cause then it's all the better to go back and forth in.

     I wish I could write like you do - I read yours over and over & enjoy it every time -  When you see any more of the kids tell them "hello" for me -

     Do you know that I haven't gone swimming this year!?  But there just isn't any decent place to go - P.S. My chair squeaks - I am leaving to look at the pretty pictures in a magazine-

              

                                                             Love till Saturday

                                                                     Dotty

X X X etc -

July 11, 1940

Hi - -

               Looking forward to seeing you Saturday.

                                      Love,

                        

                                          Dotty