September 30, 1940 Monday

Sunday

I'm sure in a "h" of a mood today - Feel like doing millions of things and yet there's nothing to do - And if anyone says "boo" to me I snap their head off - And I miss you like everything - This damned old Literature is getting me down and I hate it worse every minute - The next time I think I might learn something in that direction, please tell me I'm not the type - I am not literarly minded - and I wish old Morrissette'd go jump in the lake -

Registered Friday and Zane is on Sabbatical leave till January - So now, don't know whether I can take what I've signed up for not - I'm sure have'in a heck of a time -- For two cents I'd junk everything and go to New York or somepin' but I know I won't -

     Nothing at all has happened - Mac came back to the office Sat. without a deer - but Celorie is still sick - only we won't be quite so busy - Tomorrow is pay day and I hope I won't be broke as quickly as last time - Yet I probably will be cause I've sure got it budgeted close - Oh happy day when I don't owe any money - I've promised to treat H.G. to a dinner & show and I'll do the same for you -

     And - another thing my hair won't stand this damp weather - it just straggles all the time - as soon as it gets a little longer I'll do it up - but it's all falling out - maybe I won't have any by then -

     Have decided definitely to paint the top of my car - Could you kind of ask around what & how to do it and then you can tell me - It shouldn't take too long to do it -

     Thought I might read today if nothing else and the damn library was closed -

     Please don't pay too much attention to what I'm saying cause I have to let off steam some way - Would go to the Side if I didn't feel so strange - among all the strangers - Just found I broke a fingernail - the longest one -

     Do you know "Rest Haven" - that house where a lot of the fellows stayed last year - catty corner from the hospital - well someone lives there now with a little baby and it looks awful funny to see all the diapers hanging on the front porch. - Noticed it today when I went up to the library -

     Did you get your car washed and polished?  - Did you miss me like I missed and am missing you - Do you know I keep thinking about how much fun it is going to be next summer? -Best you watch out for those fish-bowls - they hold a lot of beer -

     Guess what - I've cooled down a little, only still wish I had something a little exciting or interesting to do -

                                                              All my love & kisses

                                                                          Dotty

                                                                              Monday

Hello, dear -

      Have just finished reading your sweet little letter of Sunday - you don't scare me a bit - wish I had been there to see what kind of a mood you were in, only it would probably have been different then - I hope -

     The day went pretty fast - for a Monday - the Medical students are beginning to arrive and there is a bit more activity about the place - tomorrow is registration -

     Just figured out that in about 118 1/2 hours I will be seeing you again - isn't it thrilling - I can hardly wait  - darn it, you are just too sweet, and it is tough being away from you for two whole weeks - and how I am looking forward to next summer, when we won't have this 120 miles to worry about - and tomorrow is another month - they are slipping by - in 10 more days we have another anniversary to celebrate - we'll do it when you come up to Portland -

     Am stepping out tonite - have been invited to the Nu Sigma Nu rushing party at the University club - in case you don't know,  NΣΝ is a Medical student social fraternity and among its members are Dick Hill, Henry Ash, Arne Lindgren, Dave Morris, Leonard Jacobsen, Jack Newman, and a few of the other boys whom you may or may not know - altogether, there are 3 fraternities up here and they each get enough pledges - anyway, I was invited three separate times by three different members and am going with Hill so it ought to be fun - from all past reports, the evenings festivities will consist of beer drinking with dutch lunch, and some miscellaneous entertainment - I guess there is usually lots of beer and here it is only Monday nite, too - but I will try to only drink my usual two (as usual)

     Just happened to think that in your spare time when you don't want to read or study and after you have written me, you might continue the noble experiment you started with the cookies two months ago - I honestly think you are a wonderful cook, and you know the cookies would be appreciated - so why don't you see what you can do for me, my love - and I am too serious -

     Gotta rush down to the morgue now and see Hill -

                                                     Love and kisses,

                                                             Bill

 

September 29, 1940 Sunday

                                                                                  Sunday

Hello, sweet -
     Did you have fun over the weekend - or did you study and stuff -  By the way, just what is your schedule in regard to the extension and the class work - I don't want you taking too many hours - so let me know -
     I feel so proud - finally got around to washing and waxing my car - and does it look smooth and shiny now - wow - you can use it for a mirror - hope it doesn't wear off by the weekend -
     Gosh, I hope this week goes fast - I just want to see you so much - some day I'm going to add up all the minutes I think of you during the day, and there won't be many left in the 24 hours - why, I even dreamed about you last nite - it was really sweet too -
     Von and I played 9 holes of golf at Glendover yesterday afternoon and 18 at Broadmoor this morning - not having been imbibing too much this weekend, I played fairly well and my score for the 27 holes was just 10 over par, which I thought was very O.K. - last nite we took in the local movie down at the Orpheum - no dates, either - had lots of fun and not even one beer -
     Dotty, dear - I have decided what to get you for Xmas - all I have to do now is keep you from guessing what it is between now and then, which will undoubtedly be a tough job, if I know you - and it is really wonderful, too, being both beautiful and practical - but I won't tell you any more - I hope -
     I would appreciate it muchly if you could arrange to call or see Battleson this week sometime and fix it up for me to stay with him Saturday nite - I don't want to stay at the D.U. house and Kneeland's is full - so see what you can do, will you, dear -
     I have been reading the Emerald every day - we get it up at the office - it is kind of fun, but I don't know anybody anymore I guess -
     Guess the mailman forgot yesterday to deliver the letter which I hope you wrote Friday evening - I am looking forward to getting at least one tomorrow -
                                            All my love,
                                                  Bill

September 27, 1940 Friday

                                                                              Thursday

Hi -
     I forgive you for not writing cause I guess you didn't get my letter either and after that awful thing I tried to write down at the Del Ray - Helen & I stopped to have a coc but too many people came and went -
     Jimminy we worked till 7:30 again tonite - We really have been having fun - tho - writing all our letters and whatnot by ourselves - Guess I'll go into the lumber business myself - could probably do it O.K. if had the capital -
      Yes - oh I told you this, but Tuesday, after the coc, couldn't go to sleep till way, awful, late - Say - do you know what the theorum is about a right triangle - something like the hypotenuse is equal to the square of the sides - only that isn't right and I'm trying to find the correct statement - I can't remember it -
     Nothing happens - just work, work, - We did buy a box of apples - and I'm about to burst or to turn into an apple - and apples are fattening - Woe is I -
     Paul is here again and has his job back at Miller's - Hope he behaves himself -
     My mind's a blank, dear, and I'm sorry, but I hope you still love me -
                                                       Love & more love
                                                                  Dotty

Friday

Hello, sweet -

     This is really a sad day - it has been raining steadily ever since 4 o'clock yesterday and the outlook is rather dismal - I wish we had a few more months of summer - they are much better fun -

     Well, guess I will have to not see you this weekend - makes me very unhappy - however, I will be down next weekend if you come up the following Friday - by the way, I assume you don't have a ticket for the Oregon - Washington game, do you - also you wouldn't mind going general admission, would you, on account of I just can't afford to get two reserved seat tickets -

     It was very sweet of you to arrange it so I got two letters today - guess that makes you one up on me for the week - I hope you don't have to work late too many nites - I don't want you to be doing this working and studying too strenuously - or I'll start worrying - you are really an ambitious little girl, aren't you -

     Notice that snow is falling at Timberline - guess the skiing season will be starting up here in a month or so - guess winter is arriving -

     Was supposed to play some badminton tonite, but I don't feel like it, and besides I don't see any future in the game anyhow - best I stick to golf - which reminds me, I think maybe might play some with Mr. Couch tomorrow, providing the rain lets up a little while - at least, if I can't have you on a weekend, I can have a little golf, I hope-

     Von almost talked me into getting a date last nite, but I didn't weaken - aren't you proud?  - Anyway, he got a date with Betty (the nurse) and the three of us went over to the Fishbowl in Vancouver and drank a couple of bowls of beer - good clean fun - and 2 of those beauties really are my limit - wow - wish you had been there to tell me when to stop -

     Tonite am going to listen to the football game between Oregon and the Marines from the mud-flats at Hayward Field - there is a possibility that I might see the Portland - Willamette game at the Stadium tomorrow if the golf doesn't pan out -

     I just hope you miss me as much this weekend as I miss you - and please don't study too hard -

                                                         Lots of love and kisses, 

                                                                    Bill

P.S. tell Paul hello -

September 26, 1940 Thursday

                                                            Wednesday

Hello, sweetest

     Here, I thot it was only about 8 and it turns out to be 10:00 - so I may not mail this tonight - We worked till 7:30 - Celorie is awful sick and Mac is out hunting - therefore things are in a general mess -
     I'm quite sure I won't be in Portland this weekend.  Much as I would like to there are too many against's - I will save my money for the Washington game which isn't far away. - Learned how to make french knots - so now can finish my embroidering - Got my registration material this morning and am going to take 6 hours from Zane - Lettering and advanced Art Appreciation - Not much work to do there - Have also started working on my Math and it is not going to be very hard - But gee - I sure sometimes wonder what is the use of it all - Darn wish I could have fun like the other girls - I am going to miss you a lot this weekend - If I come down Friday the 11th - are you coming up next week-end?  - I hope-
     Isn't this violent colored paper - but I thot you might like the variety - And - do you what - I'm gaining weight - gonna start cutting down a little tomorrow -
     It sure seems funny to have all the kids in school again - In fact I haven't quite gotten used to it - I just keep doing the same things I did all summer -
     I'm sure crazy - drank one teeny itsy bitsy little coc last night - and could I go to sleep - no!! - stayed awake till almost 2 - damit - But "damit" has been running O.K. - no break-downs yet - Which somebody would wax and polish it - not that it would do much good - but I know I won't get the ambition -
     Hope you didn't have to work too hard & late the other night, cause it's no fun -
     P.S. I wish you were here all the time -
                                                     Lots of love & kisses
                             
                                                               Dotty -

I love you even if this letter doesn't (didn't) arrive on schedule -

                                                                          Thursday

Hello, dear -

     I am getting worried - no letter from you today and yesterday just a little note - and then you say you are not coming up this weekend - so I am quite unhappy - it would be just wonderful if you would change your mind and come up this Saturday - but if you are broke, I guess you are broke - anyway if you can't come up this weekend, you had best plan on coming up the following Saturday - I am going to have a hard time waiting these two weeks -
     By the way, please forgive me for not writing last nite - took one-half hour for dinner last nite at 5:30, and never got through at the office until ten minutes to eleven -  really a long day - although Mr. Couch had a longer one: he got there at 6 yesterday morning and worked straight through - but it is lots of fun to be busy and the work is really interesting.  Today I drew a chart of the Medical School campus and marked out the different parking areas - We are going to mimeograph this and hand it out to all the students and employees - Also had to design a form for registration of automobiles - lots of fun -
     Boy, did it rain about 4 to 5 this afternoon - really a cloudburst and it was almost pitch black outside - I sure ruined the press in my suit getting to my car from the building -
     Just checked up and find that I've been in Eugene seven (7) times since the first of July, and you have been up here just once (1) - listen, my love, you could make it two (2) this weekend and also make me very happy - but don't let me talk you into doing something you don't want to do -
     You and Helengray must have had fun - what else did you do beside drink beer -- pardon me - cokes --- wish I had been there - had lots of fun the last time I took you two out -
     Von called up today and wanted to know whether we should take the nurses out tonite - but I don't think we will - although it's an idea - I guess there just wouldn't be any thrill for me - and I don't have any money to waste on strange women - so there - we will probably end up going to a cheap show -
     Just thought of one more argument to get you up here this weekend - if you would apply the $1.25 you owe me on a railroad ticket, I would forget you ever owed it, and we would all be happy -
     Oh yes one more argument - I think we would have lots of fun.
                                                                 Lots of love,
                                                                       Bill

September 24, 1940 Tuesday

                                                                       Tuesday 9/24 -
Dearest -
     Here we are at the Del Ray - Helen & I, drinking coc's -  and I still don't know for sure whether I am coming to Portld - but I hardly think so - Helen says she can come on the train - then too I am penniless & clothless - so I don't think so - I will miss seeing you -
     Best sign off - just met a good looking man - One of Jimmy's friends - and this isn't going to be much of a letter - too many noises and people around - so excuse please -
I'm gonna give up -
    Goodbye dear
                 Lots of love
                    Dotty

                                                                        Tuesday

Dear Dotty -
     Gosh, it is only Tuesday yet - guess I am thinking the same as you do about how long it's been since we've seen each other -  Guess it makes a little difference too if I leave Sunday nite instead of Monday morning - hope you are completely recovered from the weekend by now -
     Have you decided yet whether you are coming up this weekend -  I would be awfuly happy if you could arrange it - and I think we can have lots of fun, even if it is before payday - don't know why, but feel that this is going to be an unusually long two weeks if I don't see you Saturday -
     Nothing exciting has happened at all - except that Mr. Couch has asked me to work for awhile tomorrow nite - don't think it will be for long -
     By the way, dear, do you know there are only 76 more shopping days until Xmas - tsk, tsk - and I just can't think of what you should get me, or vice versa -
     Have an invitation to play badminton down at the "Y" Friday nite - maybe thot I might like the game - although the stroke is quite different from tennis -
     I am going to wash and wax and polish my car this weekend if you don't come up - it's an all day job, so best you come up and then I can postpone it -
     I am going down and see the doc tomorrow and have my eyes checked - they are supposed to be improving but I can't notice much difference - besides I hope they don't improve too fast as I am depending upon them to keep me out of the army for awhile, I hope -
                                                        Love and kisses,
                                                                    Bill

                                                                               

September 23, 1940 Monday

                                                                     Monday

Hello, sweet -
     How was happy Monday - I hope you felt better today than you did yesterday - best you forgive me for keeping you out so late Saturday and also for letting you drink more than one glass of beer - I'll try not to be such a bad boy in the future -  anyway I hope you enjoyed the weekend as much as I did - it sure went fast -
     We had lots of fun coming up last nite - even though we did feel a little sleepy and tired - also stopped in Salem for a milk shake - Jack won't be through this territory again for six months -
     I certainly did a lot of good sleeping last nite, but I still hated to get up this morning - I still don't feel too sharp and I also picked up somewhat of a headache today - the office was pretty hot and I was doing some detailed work -
     Had dinner tonite at the Doernbecher Hospital with Mr. Couch and several of the doctors - rather interesting listening to their conversation about their cases -
     In most of my spare moments today I was wondering whether or not you had decided what you were going to do this weekend - I am still going to do a lot of worrying if you take your car, but if you had the shimmy fixed it should be okay providing you don't go too fast - by the way, you might check with Hartley, altho it seems to me he came up this last weekend -
     There's something else - the Oregon-Washington game up here is the 12th, which is only two weekends after this one, and I wondered if you were coming up then - boy, this is sure a problem - it might even be better if we skipped this weekend - then I could come down the 5th and you could come up the 12th - also about this weekend - it is not yet the first of the month and from now until then I am going to be quite broke - so you figure out something and let me know - darn it.  I wish you weren't 120 miles away or maybe we should solve the problem by getting married - if we wait till next summer, I will probably have several gray hairs from worrying about trying to see you every weekend between now and then - never thought love would be like this - it's wonderful - but you are still too far away -
                                                                Love,
                                                                     Bill

                                                                 Monday -
Hello Sweet -
     Seems like ages since yesterday and you were here -  Sorry I was so droopy but I promise to be a live wire if and when I come to Portland this weekend -  Best warn the natives -
     Guess I'm just a big sissy - only worked 4 hours today - but feel better now -
     Sure didn't do nothin' today -  I am going to walk down to mail this letter and to take that silly old book back to the library -  Perhaps the fresh air will do me good -  Now we're listening to the "Lone Ranger"  Hwhee!-
     Guess I'll work on my embroidery tonight cause I can't get the books I have to read - 
     So dear best I be on my merry way
                                                                  Lots of love
                                                                      Dotty

September 19, 1940 Thursday

                                                                            Thursday

Hello, dear -
     All day I've been telling myself it's only day after tomorrow before I see you again - and tomorrow it will only be tomorrow - oh happy day - I guess I really miss you an awful lot -
     It makes me very happy that your Uncle Dow and Aunt Hettie seem to like me - I think they are swell -  by the way what did you tell her when she said what she said --  I'll ask you that one again Saturday -
     I am glad that you're not planning on doing any rushing, on account of I'd like to see you as much as possible this weekend -  I was thinking about eating at the house Saturday nite, but I would much rather eat with you -  This business of rushing doesn't appeal to me at all, and I have such little time in Eugene this time also - Von is going back Sunday nite, so if we want to go to a movie it better be Saturday -
     Don't worry about getting Von a date - I think he can probably manage all right this weekend -
     You don't sound as though you're getting a heck of a lot of studying this week - and this is good studying weather too - except did you see the big beautiful moon lately - I'll show it to you Saturday I hope if it isn't raining -
     Have an invitation to play some Handball and badminton down at the "Y" tomorrow evening after work - think I may join this fall and play a lot of handball and basketball and get in shape or something -
     Well, I guess this is all until Saturday afternoon - if everything goes according to schedule.  I will call you between 3:30 and 4 PM -
                                                           With love,
                                                                  Bill

September 18, 1940 Wednesday

                                                                             Wednesday -
Hello - sweet -
     The days are not going quite so slow - We worked till 7:00 tonight - Bob has gone on his vacation so we will probably be working hard all week -
     The party was quite a success and Ruth Mae D.J. got quite a few nice things - (Don't know where my mind is but it's sure wandering).  Ruth May fixed up the cutest umbrella under which to put the presents - doilies and little pink ribbons on it -  We did play a little bridge and I didn't win -
     It was nice of you to pay Paul for the tube - I didn't realize that he had to have it right away or I would have given it to him sooner.  But now, can you wait till the 31st? -  I hope -  I have just a few sheckles till then-
     Will Von want a date and for me to get it - Or couldn't he call up someone he knows when he gets here?-  There are a lot of kids here now -  Or if he tells me who he would like to go with - anyway let me know -
     Aunt Hetty & Uncle Dow certainly like you - She mentioned just yesterday she hoped I would marry you!-
     I simply must study tonight -  If I just had a little more umph -  Do you think I will ever get it finished?-
     Lorraine called up today and wanted to know could I come for dinner Sat & Sun, etc. to help with rushing.  I told her I didn't think so -  Do you think it would be terrible if I didn't go?-  I suppose I should be loyal to the cause - but I don't care - and besides I don't feel like rushing -
     It's getting colder and there's a nip in the air -  It snowed in the high hills -
     Please write soon and hurry down Sat. 
                                             More & more love
                                                               Dotty

                                                                        Wednesday
Hello - sweet,
     Looks as though we both missed a letter - guess your shower took up as much of your time as the D.V. banquet did mine -  by the way, how was it - and did you win the bridge prize, I hope-
     I started to write you last nite and then Von came over and we went to the banquet, which wasn't over until about 9:50 - too late then - afterwards Von and I and a salesman who works for Linde Air by the name of Jack McDonald went to the Actor's Club and had a couple of whiskey sours - this place is really a hot spot and much more classy than the Stork Club and the like - We almost got raided and everything - they were certainly pushing the slot machines into the cubby holes -
     Just read your letter of last Monday again and it sounded as though you didn't feel so hot Monday - but after all what can you expect of a Monday -
     I am looking forward to having a lot of fun in Eugene this weekend; hope the rest of this week goes by in a hurry - according to present plans we ought to get there about the usual time - 4 o'clock - Saturday -  I think I will probably eat dinner Sat. nite at the fraternity just to see what the situation is - but I intend to spend the rest of the weekend with you if you don't mind except maybe for a little golf Sunday AM early if it isn't raining too hard.
     By the way, Von would like very much to know if Dotty Lou Hanan is around Eugene this week - if she is, you might mention that he is coming down this weekend and would like very much to take her out - let me know if she is there and maybe I can have Von call her up or something before Saturday -
     Looked up the town of Wheeler on the map and it seems to be about 40 miles up from Tillamook, a few miles in from the Ocean on the Salmonberry River, I think -
     Have been working pretty hard about half the time this week, and sitting around the other half - Have been having a hell of a time trying to see Mr. Couch for more than 5 minutes but it's practically impossible - Tomorrow he is going down to Roseburg to make a 1-hour speech before th annual convention of the Oregon Nurses Assoc -  and tomorrow is golf day too -
     Hope I get a long sweet letter from you tomorrow - I kinda missed not hearing from you today -
                                                           Love and kisses,
                                                                   Bill

September 16, 1940 Monday

                                                                             Monday

Hello Sweetness-
     Another dreary Monday gone by, and today I seemed miles away from everyone.  Have you ever felt like that?-  Kinda walking around in a separate world -  and now I've started to try to write another blankety, blank lesson - wish I could chuck it all in the waste-basket without any qualms -
     Did you get to Portland all right and with no serious mishap? -  I think I will have to play golf more often - I suffered no ill effects at all - not even stiff -
     One by one the kids are coming back to school and one tiny part of me kinda misses the old excitement  -
Hope I grow up and away from it soon -
     Tomorrow is the shower and I'll be glad when it's done -  Guess I'm getting to be kinda like a hermit cause I don't mind being alone any more at all -  I bot my math book and it looks like a killer diller but I think I'll like it better than the other courses -
     Got a letter from Aunt Edna today and she is getting along fine - Is staying with a very nice family there, which is nice for her.
     Why don't you luck up Wheeler and see just where it is for me? -
     I'm awful glad you're coming down this weekend.
                                                                 Love & kisses
                                                                          Dotty

                                                                                 Monday

Hello, dear -
     This has been quite a day -  To begin with, I got practically no sleep last nite - guess I was thinking too many thoughts or something - finally got to sleep almost 12:30, but Tony came in about 2 and made quite a bit of noise - then all the trains started to roar through the room and by then it was 4 o'clock AM so I just dozed around until the alarm went off - It was really dark for a while too and we ran into a couple of cloudbursts between Junction City and Albany, but boomed right along and hit Portland about 7:30 as per schedule -
     Karl came up this morning and I ended up eating lunch with him and Mc Girr downtown -
     Oh yes I also worked pretty hard today too and had quite a good talk with Mr. Couch who gave me some more good advice, which I need -
     Along in the afternoon the weather really got warm so I called up Von and arranged a golf game for 5:00 - boy, can I take it - and I was really hot - had a 30 at Lloyd's , one over par, and I missed two short putts too -
     Then I went visiting at the MacCaskills and had a little chat with Marge and Paul - and paid Marge $5.00 and Paul $7.25 which makes you owe me $1.25 which I will try to collect this weekend or are you broke - anyway Paul said that the man had asked him about the bill a couple of times so I decided it would be better to pay up now -
     Listen dear, I'm not boring you yet - I hope I hope - stick around a few lines farther and I'll tell you how much I love you - as though you didn't know already - but already it is beginning to seem like a long time since I saw you and I could swear that it was only yesterday -
     Von hasn't said anything to me about it yet but I don't think he has a date for Saturday nite and he will undoubtedly want one, so we would appreciate your kind of looking around and maybe I can tell you something definite in my next letter or so -
     How are all the arrangements and stuff coming for your party -  If you win the prize this time I don't believe it - tell DJ for me that I hope she'll be very happy -
     As soon as I mail this, I am going to bed - just found out I am sleepy and tired -
                                                      All my love -
                                                                      Bill

September 12, 1940 Thursday

                                                    Thursday - P.M. -
                                                    (two days till Sat.)

Hi - puddin!-
     The beers are on me Saturday night - I got my raise $10.00 worth - so it paid to ask - I'd hate to go thru it again tho - I thot it was all over yesterday, but he called me in again -  Then -  I wanted to prance up and down and yell - but couldn't cause no one's (Melba & Bob) are supposed to know - I'm sure glad -
     And I'm glad you decided to come up for sure - Your letters sounded like me -  Now you were and now you weren't -  Mom says you can eat here -
     Boy - sure thot I was going die last night - even had it figured out how they could sell my car to pay my debts - Still don't know what was the matter but I sure had the awfullest pain - and I actually looked green - I was ice cold and sweating - but it's better today and I guess I'll live - Thot it was appendicitus (?) but don't think so -
     It won't be long till school starts and I don't know what to take 3 hours of - I know I can take printing - Everything else I want and can take comes winter term - Decided not to write any of my own reports but to follow M.J.'s - much simpler that way and I won't worry too much and will get it done faster -
     Some good music on the radio - for a change - I think Mom has almost decided to get a new radio - maybe - but she has mentioned it several times lately.  I won't be sorry if she does. -
     Looking forward to seeing you Saturday -
                                                                           Lots of love -
                                                                                       Dotty -

                                                                        Thursday

Hello, dear -
     Didn't know for a while whether I'd be able to write tonite on account of I have been over at the Couch's -  Worked 1/2 hour this afternoon and then Mr. Couch and I went out to Glendover and played 18 holes - We really had fun and had a pretty good talk also - he gave me some very good advice - and from the way he talked, I got the impression that I am going to be around there permanently, I hope -
     Afterwards I had dinner with them and it was very good - the time went awfully fast -
     Tomorrow is Friday the 13th - I'm glad I'm coming down to Eugene Saturday instead of tomorrow - Gosh, I wish the hours until Saturday afternoon would hurry up and get over with - I can hardly wait to see you -
      Bought a smooth tan windproof and waterproof jacket today - will be swell for golf and skiing -
      Hope you get your raise OK - Tell Celorie I will be plenty mad at him if he doesn't come through - after all you are an unusually capable girl -
     Went down to the morgue again last nite and played some ping-pong with Dick - I won 6 out of 10 games -
     When I get down to Eugene remind me to see the Skeie Jewelry Co and get a new band for my watch - this one is shot too -
      Well dear guess this will be my last letter this week - don't you think I've done pretty well for a while -
                                                                         Love,
                                                                                   Bill

September 11, 1940 Wednesday

                                                                                                Wed -

Hello, my love -
     Have finally got it figured out - I am coming down to Eugene for sure this weekend, so disregard any intimations to the contrary in my letter of yesterday last - 
     The two letters I received today were awfully sweet - just like you  - and I am certainly counting the hours till Saturday also -
     Think I have a passenger also - one of the gals in the business office -  Also I am desirous of seeing Karl about a little business -  Mr. Couch has asked me to figure out a job-order system for the physical plant dept. up here so I want to do a little checking with Karl to see that I get the proper forms -  He has been working on this stuff in the payroll dept - I think -
     So I will see you Saturday - as soon as I can - and you can tell Tony that I'll be down too -
     Am listening to Kay Kyser and he is really crazy tonite -  as usual - but they are playing some good music too -
     The weather was swell today and I hope it continues tomorrow so that I don't have to work in the afternoon - I think Mr. Couch will be lots of fun playing golf with - and maybe it will become a habit for him to take me along - I hope -
     I am feeling pretty good cause I heard in a roundabout way today that Mr. Couch and others are of the opinion that I am doing a pretty good job up there so far - which is something -
     I am glad that you feel the same way about Mr. Byrne's offer - when you start thinking about it, it really is a perfect spot - and Mr. Byrne is serious too - in case you wondered - I am going to try to see him this weekend if he is home - guess I better take you along too -
     I, too, am shedding a tear or two over the passing of summer - and a wonderful summer it was too don't you think - anyway I hope we can go skiing when winter comes around - and I think we will - only it's going to be tough with you being there and me here -
     Well, dear, by the time you get this it'll be day after tomorrow when I see you again -
                                                                              Love,
                                                                                   Bill

                                                                                  Wednesday -
  Sweetness -
     Did you get my letters all right today?  I don't know what to do about coming up - I kinda hate to bother Hartley again - and I don't seem to know anyone else - and I hate to have you come down all alone - oh what to do - I'll make up for it though in a month, if you do have to come down -
 I'll be coming up to Portland a lot more this winter and I'm sure it'll be easier to find rides and riders either way.
     I finally did it, asked Celorie for a raise and I was so nervous afterwards I shook all over - First time I've ever asked for that - and now I don't know whether I'll get it or not - but I think so - I got the nerve to do it when it dawned on me that I wasn't making as much as I did 6 years ago - counting the actual hours - then I was kinda mad - so it worked out all right - cross your fingers for me -
     The alum meeting, as I suspected was a bore last night - glad I'll have the excuse of studying after this - Still haven't written up "Human Bondage" - darn - I'm going to make me do it tonight tho -
     Please don't mind too much having to come up here - We won't do much and won't spend any money - P.S. If I get the raise I'll treat you to a beer or somepin - I've already fixed a golf match for you - Saw Tony last night and said I thot you might be coming up - He said he was pretty hot and could probably beat you - I said I didn't know -
     This week is most certainly going slow - Today is only Wednesday - and how I wish it were Sat.  We've been working hard lately - late every night - But hope it won't be so Saturday cause I've got a million and one things to do. -
     Give my love to the stiffs - Ugh - what company -
                        Lots of love & kisses
                                    Dotty

September 10, 1940 Tuesday

                                                                           Monday

Bill, dear -
     It's happened again and I feel dreadfully sorry - but - you won't get this letter till Tuesday - am I foregiven - I was so happy to get your letters today - they're awfu always so sweet - just like you -  Do you know - it hardly seems possible that today was our 9th anniversary does it?  We will have to celebrate this next weekend -
     Whee - I've finished reading the book and now I can't get up umph enough to write about it - Darn - I'll never get through that way - and I do want to write on a few that Mary Jane didn't - to ease my conscience a little bit -
     I'm glad that you still like and can still play tennis - who knows - maybe someday we will play together - you know - it seems so funny thinking of you up there in Portland and me down here - I think most any minute y

ou'll come popping in and off we'll go someplace -
     Today was very busy - we worked till 6:30 - and do you know that it was almost dark then?  -  Winter is here - And it has been raining, raining, raining -
     Darn it - like I've said before - why aren't you here - I can talk so much better than I can write - I think old Mor - novels have kinda got me down  -  No wonder he's crazy if he reads them a lot - and whatnot -
     It was sweet of you not to have a date Sat. -  And I bet Von thot you were crazy - I had dinner at Aunt Hetty's then came home and read and sewed. - Nice & quiet like -
     Oh H - why can't I get ambitious - Old "Human Bondage" keeps staring me in the face as I write this - You see the questions are right underneath -
     I can hardly wait for this weekend -
                                                                    With lots of love
                                                                             Dotty

                                                                                  Tuesday -
 Hello Sweet -
     Another day gone by which makes one less till Saturday -  Yep - just looked at my budget and it will be a lot better for you to come up here -
     Am having my coat fixed to fit me and it is certainly going to look a lot better .  Now I won't be able to gain - thank goodness -
     You know - I think I like Mr. Byrne - did you tell him that we would be very happy to take him up on his invitation come next June or July or August - If he is really serious about our going there I think it is a marvellous idea -
     It is going to be very nice having you here for the next wo weekends - I think it is very considerate of Von to come up for rushing - Do you know that it isn't long till skiing season is here again? - Hope we have a longer season than last year and that I get to be more adept - Best we remind Hartley to let me know when he is going to Portland - Then we can go to Mt. Hood - and Timberline - Oh happy day -
     Tonight is the alum meeting - Darn, wish I didn't have to go - "Damit" is working fine and the top doesn't bump around too much, but it does need painting - or something done to it-
     So - must go and take my "bawth" so I'll smell nice for the girls -
    
                                                         Love & kisses

                                                                 Dotty

                                                                      Tuesday

Hello, sweet -
     Was disappointed no end at not finding a letter from you today - you shouldn't do that to me as you know darn well that reading your sweet little epistles constitute the big moments of my life between weekends - but I will forgive you if it doesn't happen too often -
     Listen - dear - do you suppose you could possibly come up to Portland this weekend instead of me going down there - The passenger crop seems to be damn scarce this week for some reason - Also since the 1st of July I have been down there 6 times and you have only been up here once, which is all right too on account of Eugene is more fun - but I still think you owe me and Portland a visit pretty soon - and I am coming down to Eugene the following weekend for sure anyway - However, unless you can get a ride with Hartley or somebody I don't want you to be unbalancing the budget to make the trip and if no ride is forthcoming please let me know and I will be very happy to come down Saturday PM as I mentioned yesterday - but I thought I'd tell you the situation anyway -
     I am getting broke again fast - received the bill for my eye treatments and they are costing me $12 per mo - which is going to cut down on my savings for a while yet anyway - Also, had my suit altered and Joe the Tailer relieved me of $4 in the process, which gives me an incentive to keep staying slim in the future -
     Well, I will quit boring you with the sordid details of life and tell you about my trip to the morgue last nite - Dick showed Von and I me through the place and it was quite interesting - He opened up the icebox and showed us a stiff too - and he was really stiff, on account of he was frozen solid - Afterwards we played ping-pong and drank cokes and then Hill got the bright idea of going up and seeing his nurse, so we went too, and ended up drinking beer and stuff - pretty bad for a Monday nite -
     Today Mr. Couch suggested that we go out and play golf next Thursday afternoon, which is very nice of him - He thinks I am working too hard - little does he know -
     Saw where Barbara Davis got married - it seems like all the Alpha Chis and everybody else are doing it - sometimes I think next summer is too far away - but I will see you personally about this between now and then so be prepared - I am happy that you are having a lot of fun thinking about the situation and getting the hope-chest filled and stuff - maybe you'll catch up with Helengray pretty soon -
     By the way if you decide you are not coming up, would appreciate it if you would see Tony and arrange a golf game for me Sunday morning - also tell Karl I will be down - and ask him how he is coming along with his love life -
                                                                  Love and kisses,
                                                                           Bill

September 9, 1940 Monday

                                                                                   Monday

Hello dear -
     Have just finished reading your 2 letters and they are really sweet - and don't you ever say another word about how good my letters are because they can't even begin to compare with yours - so there -
     Sounds as though your weekend was about as dull as mine - Gosh darn it, I don't like this not seeing you at least every weekend - it's tough - but I guess the budget must be considered - anyway, I thought about you practically every spare moment I had - which was a lot -
     If you are sure you can't come up this next weekend then I will most certainly be down - 3 weeks would be too too much - so I had best start looking for a passenger or two - I think it will work out pretty good if I drive down this weekend anyway, on account of the following weekend I am going to ride down with Von, who is going down for part of rush week - He is also I believe laboring under the mistaken impression that I am going down to help do some rushing but little does he know that the only rushing I will do concerns you - do you mind -
     Oh yes I must tell you about my conversation with Mr. Byrne last nite - He is up here for Board meeting and I thought I'd call him up and say hello on account of it's been quite a while - Anyway after we had exchanged the usual pleasantries and he had found out how the job was coming he asks me how I was coming along on that proposition he had mentioned a while ago - so I says I am still interested - and he says fine - the cottage is really nice and he wants to show me some pictures of the place - anyway it seems he would be only too happy to let us use his beach cottage for at least a couple of weeks next summer if we want to - very nice of him and it's something to consider, don't you think -
     The rainy season really descended on Portland today  - thunder and lightning - and cloudbursts - the Medical School WPA landscaping project almost washed away and there is really a sea of mud between the Children's Hospital and the Medical School bldg - I sure looked good running around in my sport coat dodging the raindrops - By the way, how is Dammit doing with the top down or is it up now, I hope-
     Tonite Von and Moser and I are going down to the morgue and see Dick Hill - we will play ping - pong and maybe finish off the rest of the rum remaining from our party of a couple of weeks ago - Dick says he knows how to mix up hot rum - and - butters so maybe I'll have one - maybe -
     We got a letter from the secretary of the Portland DU's today telling about the annual rushing party which is going to be held next Tuesday nite at the Portland TurnVerein - it's really going to be fun - food, ping-pong, pool, bowling, swimming, and even an orchesgtra with our dinner -
     Well, sweet, time's a wasting and I'm out of words except to say
                                                                With all my love,
                                                                             Bill

September 8, 1940 Sunday

Hi-
     This has certainly been a beastly day - but I feel better now - Have been reading all day and you know how dopey that makes one - But the print is small and the book long - "Of Human Bondage" - so had to get as much read in the daytime as possible.  Mom and I are going for a short walk in a minute -
     Just for your information - I missed you today and I don't want to spend too many like them.  And my mind is a blank - oh happy day -
     Got a real nice letter from Marge and I guess she and married life are getting fine - she seems very, very happy -
     Bill, dear, would you mind awfully if you came up here this weekend instead of my coming to Portland.  Much as I would like to come, my better judgement just won't let me yet - While I'm in the mood I better stick to my budget and it's still awfully closely figured.
     How have you been getting along?  I told Uncle Dow about your getting the pie and milk and he got a bang out of it - says it sounds pretty nice to him - I think I'd kinda like to work in an office like that -
     D.J. just came in - and - darn I'm going to the alum meeting Tuesday night - I don't want to - but I couldn't say "no" again.  She is getting married a month from today.  I think several of us are going to give her a shower and have it here at my place.  That will be a little something to do -
     I'm sorry I'm such a bore in this letter but somehow- I can't seem to come out of the daze - maybe the fresh air will wake me up, I hope -
     I see the golf club, you left for me, every day, and who knows, maybe I will get a book one of these days and read up on it - Goodness knows I would like to -
     P.S. - looking forward a lot to next weekend and hope you think of me a little in the meantime -
                                                                      Love -
                                                                        Dotty

                                                                         Sunday

Hello, sweet -
     Happy 9th of September to you - wish I were there so we could have our 9th anniversary together, but I guess we will have to wait until next weekend to celebrate - have you decided yet whether you are coming up, or should I try to come down -
     I am really stiff today - went out and played tennis yesterday and I guess I wasn't quite in shape after a 16 months' lay off -  However, I did play very good tennis and didn't have much trouble administering a sound beating to Von, who has been playing occasionally - I kind of wish now that I'd played occasionally, and I think that next spring and summer I will - it's really a swell game and I don't cuss half so much as I do in golf - (under my breath, of course)
     Went to the Paramount last night and saw Ronald Colman and Ginger Rogers - wasn't bad but I really got sleepy - and by the way I didn't have a date either -
     Didn't get a letter from you yesterday, which was a little disappointing, but it was probably the fault of the mails and not you, I hope -
     I heard of another secretarial job up here, but it only paid $80 a month - One of these days I'm going to hear of a good one and then I'm really going to try to talk you into coming up - do you mind?
     Well, sweet - g'bye for now - hope this week goes fast - also that I get a lot of letters -
                                                           Love and kisses,
                                                                        Bill