May 24, 1943
"You ought to see B when he gets dressed up in his gray work pants and leaves with his lunch pail. He went to work Thursday morning at the U.S. Electrical Motors plant in Milford, Conn. He has to drive about 9 miles but the board gave him a C card so he can get gas. He does stock-room work--sorts parts and keeps the assembly line supplied. The work is easy and he likes it fine. It is the most modern plant in the U.S. and they supply the army and navy with motors. He works 6 days a week from 7:30 - 3:55 with 30 minutes for lunch. The pay is .65 per hour everyday except Sat. and that is .97 per hour which amounts to $33.80 a week. He applied at Winchester but the only jobs open were on the night shift and we didn't like that. I got my bonus check for last months' work and it was $30. I was well pleased.
I went to the Dames last Wed. and I'm going to a baby shower for one of the Dames this Wednesday. Now that I'm not afraid to drive in the city they have put the ban on pleasure driving again so we always have to go on the bus now.
It's about bed-time so write soon."
Lots & lots of love,
B & Bonnie
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| The flag ceremony on the New Haven Green |
Dear Mother & Daddy,
"We've looked every day for a letter. We haven't had much mail this week except a letter from Grandma.
Since B has been working we got to bed early and get up early. I went to a party Wednesday night. One of the Dames had a stork shower for another one. It was a bridge party, but there are two of us that don't play so the other girl had her knitting and I had my crocheting. We had a wonderful time and she got lots of pretty things. I took a little comb and brush set.
The tea table was decorated so pretty. For a centerpiece she had a little china cradle full of lily-of-the-valley and on each side was a little pink shoe candle-holder. The napkins were pink and were folded so they looked like a little jacket. She had lovely china and silver and the silver tea service really looked pretty. For refreshments she served molded jello salad (fruit), hot rolls and butter, potato chips, cake and tea or coffee. I was so full when I got home I had a time going to sleep.
Graduation is to be Sunday, June 6. B likes his job real well and the work isn't a bit hard. He says the fellows are swell to work with. The ration board gave him a C card so he drives to work. We can't do any pleasure driving at all again, but we really don't need to.
I'm so thrilled. I bought some silverware today. I got 6 more knives, forks and teaspoons and now I have service for 12. The 1847 company has stopped making silver and is making war goods now so I was afraid if I waited too long I couldn't buy them at all. I plan to buy the salad forks later. There seem to be plenty of them and I gave $24.50 for the 18 pieces. I'm certainly proud of them. B bought him a pair of dress shoes today with stamp 17. The plant where he works is giving him a stamp and a $1 to buy safety toe shoes so he will probably get them later. I bought a seersucker dress about two weeks ago and still haven't had a chance to wear it. It stays too cold.
B and I both have a holiday Monday but we'll probably stay at home.
I hope you're both feeling fine. Take good care of yourselves."
Worlds of love,
B & Bonnie
June 4, 1943
Dear Mother & Daddy,
"We got your letter Monday and were certainly glad to get it. The potatoes arrived on Tuesday. We certainly appreciate them, but don't send anymore. We can buy a few along and it takes too much postage to send them. They really tasted good. One of the girls at the studio had given me enough for two meals and other than those we hadn't had any in several weeks. We have been using rice instead and we don't mind it at all. In fact we sort of like it only a meal isn't as nice.
Summer has really come. It is miserably hot now and so sticky. It cools off some overnight but not much.
Sully came to town today so he'll be here for graduation, Sunday. His girl-friend and two sisters are coming for the exercises and I'll go with them.
We went to church Sunday, but there won't be any more services in the chapel until July. Wednesday night I went to the Dames and had a good time. One of the girls from South Carolina told us all about her home state and it was very interesting.
I would like to see your house. Beulah wrote that it is certainly pretty. You made money on that dining room rug didn't you? Who bought it?
I've been looking for a Bemberg dress but there aren't very many. I did get me some white play shoes to wear to work. They didn't take a stamp but I had to give $3.45 for them.
I was quite surprised about Russell getting married and more surprised when I saw that Joe was at the wedding. How did he get a leave and is he still stationed in Trinidad doing office work? How is Jim Bryant getting along?
B likes his work fine. I get a week's vacation the last of this month. I'll get pay for three days.
I do hope your chest is better, Mother. Take things easy for a while and you'll soon feel better. Hope you're fine, Daddy. Take care of yourselves and write soon."
Worlds of love,
B & Bonnie
June 11, 1943
Dear Mother & Daddy,
"We're fine as can be and hope you are both feeling good. I do hope you are better by now, Mother. Don't try to do anything. Take the pain tablets and rest. Don't try to write letters to us. Daddy, you can write us cards until Mother feels better again. Just so we know how you're getting along. I think Amy had better find another place to stay. Have you ever asked her to leave? I think you should because one person can make a lot of extra work.You probably have received the commencement program by now. We mailed it Tuesday. I sent Buddy one but I thought that Beulah could look at yours. The program was last Sunday morning at 11:00. The services were lovely but would have been so much nicer if the graduates had worn caps and gowns. Sully's two sister and his girl were here and after the program we all went downtown for dinner. In the afternoon we went through the library and to the museum. We had a wonderful time and Sully's sisters are just as nice as he is. I bought a new dress to wear to graduation. It is a brown Bemberg sheer with big white flowers in it. I put a white ribbon on that big rust hat I had last winter and wore my rust shoes and purse and white gloves. I looked pretty nice. Ha! We are so very, very thankful that we got to come back here and that B could get his diploma and Master's degree.
The cheaper sewing machines have been sold. The ones that are left are all over $90. I think that is too much. I'm going to have a week's vacation the last of this month and I may do some sewing. Mrs. Hunt said I could bring her machine up here when I wanted to. It's an old treadle machine, but better than none.
It's about bedtime so I'd better stop and read my Bible. I wouldn't mind getting up at 6:00 if I didn't get sleepy at night.
Daddy, take good care of yourself and Mother and make her do what she is supposed to do."
Worlds of love,
B & Bonnie
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| Inside front cover of the commencement program |
NOTES from Ann:
B and his friend, Sully, received their Masters of Arts degrees on June 6, 1943, in a commencement ceremony devoid of some of the usual fanfare. As tradition would have it, the commencement address was given by the President of the University, however, the graduates did not wear caps and gowns. The opening hymn was Psalm LXV. It was noted in the program that this hymn was also sung at the opening of the first College building erected in New Haven in 1718. I'm sure that the graduates were grateful that only 4 stanzas of the original 14 were sung at their ceremony.
http://www.cgmusic.org/workshop/oldver_frame.htm
Read the interesting information below about the experience of the undergraduate Class of '43.
http://www.yalealumnimagazine.com/issues/02_12/old_yale.html
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