Saturday Oct 7, 1944

Dear Mom-

Thank you very much your money will help me a lot. I probably would have borrowed from Betty, which I don't like to do. This traveling around the middle west is an expensive proposition and then we go dancing every weekend and we have to eat the two days we have free so money disappears rapidly. This week our girls are meeting us in Chicago, so expenses will be higher than ever since they will probably want to see Chi's famed night spots. Also I paid exhorbitant [sic] agency prices for Oklahoma seats you know that the box office is sold our two months in advance. I feel uncomfortable living so much beyond my means, but I think it's worthwhile. It will be good to have one last fling. Boca Raton Field is definitely not a place to have flings.

I'm sending you a couple of Yanks perhaps they'll be amusing. Especially Sad Sack he practically created a riot.

School is almost over one more week. Then on to more school after five weeks corporal's stripes and a furlough. A specialized school follows next. B-29, night-fighter any number of things. Perhaps flying that is the only reason I haven't done more to get myself into some more active duty.

Give my love to everyone, Mamma Dear.

All my love,

Linus

[This letter is on the same letterhead as the letter above, but the beginning of the letter is missing.]

...last Sunday it's just like an overgrown California beach resort.

So the children are growing, eh? I guess it's not very surprising. It seems to me that parents must have a lot of pride in watching their offspring developing.

I've been doing a lot of reading recently. I liked Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms very much. Unusually strong and virile. In fact I'm being repelled my [sic] female novelists now every once in a while that happens. By the way have you read Islandia yet? Perhaps I could give it to you for your birthday or Christmas. But you must tell me if you have time to read it, or if it's important enough to make time.

All my love, madre mia. I'll write again soon.

Linus

[This letter is on the same letterhead as the letter above, but the beginning of the letter is missing.]

...many there are and also a picture of me at the tender age of four or five or so (girls want he funniest things!) copied to give to my friend Betty. If you could have suitable ones reproduced without bother I would appreciate it if you would but I can do it if you'll just mail them I have remarkable few snaps as a happy civilian and even less as a soldier.

I have heard nothing more about gunnery I'm probably out of luck. Also I hear that a furlough from Boca may not come until I've finished specialized training sometime in 1945. Even if it does come after the primary radar I won't make Christmas it will be late November or early December. This furlough business is beginning to sound awfully mythical.

Give my love to everyone Pete, Linda, Crellie, and Dad.

All my love,

Linus