Hallein, Austria
1 October 45
Dearest Gretchen —
Happy day honey, I finally hit the jackpot
in letters today. I received five from you,
the 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th, also one from
Hanks, Ada and mother. I’m not kidding
when I say those boosted my morale 100%.
You can imagine how depressed one can
get when every day is rainy and gloomy,
nothing to do for excitement and then to top
it off, no mail. It is still raining here
tonite which makes nine consecutive days
and nights. While I think of it honey, I want
to tell you I received the last $15.00 making a
total of $30.00. Incidentally I could have sold
them tonite for 5 to 1 or $150.00 but didn’t do it
as would still like to buy a watch as I stated
before. If it works out that I can’t go to
Switzerland, I can always get rid of them at
a profit.
Ada wrote that she had quit her job
with J & R and taken one as Senior Clerk in
the State Assistance Office. Hanks also
wrote about her leaving but as he stated
no doubt some of the boys would be
coming back for jobs and apparently she
used that as one of her reasons for leaving.
She mentioned that the job wore her out
too much and that at her new one she will be
sitting most of the time.
Hanks said to hurry home soon and
that the Lincoln store was waiting for me.
He also remarked that perhaps we could
meet in Chicago and stay with them
while there however I think that would be
impossible with my going to Leavenworth.
I sent him some of the Dachau pictures
and he mentioned taking them to luncheon
club and showing them to some of the
fellows. Said some of them didn’t eat
much after viewing them.
I was really busy again today with
my three jobs and even yet they are trying
to switch me to Bn Hq’s. I worked like hell
in Supply trying to get all equipment checked
in for the boys leaving Wednesday. There will
be forteen leaving then and Insull will
be one of them, the lucky guy. I worked in
the C.P. tonite and will have to work there
again in the morning. We are really in a
mess at present for lack of clerks and don’t
seem to be getting any in our new group
coming in.
Last night we went into Salzburg and
saw one of the best pictures I have seen
over here. It was “Music For Millions” with
Jimmy Durante and June Allyson and little
Margaret O’Brien and it was really marvelous.
If you havn’t seen it be sure to
do so. I think it is quite a recent picture
but don’t remember that you wrote of seeing it.
You mentioned in your letter of the
20th of receiving five letters. My mail must
be coming through much better again.
I was surprised to hear of Jake wanting
Otto to return to work so soon but suppose
as you say they are still so short that
they wanted him as soon as possible.
I should think they would know he
would want some time to get things
lined up before going to work.
Honey you asked what I used for a
bag on my trip, I used my barracks
bag. Please don’t bother to send anything
else as it is only more stuff to carry.
I would like to have had my dress shoes
earlier but not now. We will soon have
deep snow and I wouldn’t be able to
wear them anyway. We are even getting
four buckle overshoes to wear this
winter.
Well darling it is after 11:00 so I
must close and go to bed. Bye for
now —
With all my love honey
Clarence.