Dear Mother and Dad,
It is now nine O'Clock. Just got up from a two hour nap. Nelson woke me this afternoon and I couldn't go back to sleep so I got up and worked on my course. I haven't heard any results yet, as to how I have been doing, but I just keep sending in my lessons. Have you heard anything? Hm, time will tell, maybe I am too anxious. Am glad that storm didn't reach Salt Lake. The trees there couldn't stand many more storms. The weather here is still peaceful and balmy with the usual warm sunny days and cool evenings. Say what is this all about your getting a tie with the big chain of banks in Seattle? I hope you do. When I learn the business you two can retire and I will run it. You can spend a few years at Whistle-n-Jacks and play around the country in general--that is, if the war will permit me to. Today it looks as though it might. I hope so, anyway. I don't know yet whether I will be able to to come home Thanksgiving. I don't want to ask or it might hurt my personal record, and I wouldn't mind that, but I am hoping for a work heads job. They are the ones that walk around the jugs where they keep the wings and see that construction is going along all right. A thousand more men have been hired at plant no. 2 since the first of September and someone has to show them what to do. They are classifying everyone this week to find out who knows the most about his job--I was one of the first classified and my work head says I have a good chance to become one if they don't shift someone in from another plant. He said I know enough about my job--am hoping. Better get back to the subject. if can possible make it, I won't know until the last minute, but if I can I will be there for that turkey dinner. I went out to the laundry after dinner with Big Bill and got some shirts. The little Japs that clean them had a real problem on their hands. Somehow they had mixed up about five hundred shirts, and shorts, and stockings, and so forth. Mine didn't get in the entanglement but Big Bill's did, and he can't get them for a week--the time it will take three little Japanese boys to sort them. I wish you could have seen the look on the owners face, made me roar that good old Larsen Laughter. Bill was mad but my laughter cheered him up. He hasn't got a clean shirt to put on and can't borrow one because of his brawn. No one is large enough to lend him anything. He says if no one criticises his wearing dirty shirts for the next week he is going to make a habit of it because he could use the money for his car. Oh, I almost forgot. There is a fellow who works with me, now, that looks and is built about like me. He is from Los Angeles. My work head says the only way he knows how to identify us is to look for one that is working---that is Lars---, amazing eh---and one that is clowning---that would be him. He would sooner clown than work. I hope they don't get our personal records mixed, that's all I hope. Well, I had better quite before I end up writing a 'whacky' letter. There is no astounding news, and say, have you seen Vandy yet? Keep me posted on everything you do and see--and write often. Love Tom
PS
Still am using the same typewriter. Guess I will buy it. This letter reads as though I am still asleep.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Letter 20, October 1, 1941
Dear Mother and Dad,
I haven't written that letter to Louise yet but everything else in Sunday's letter stacks up. I read my lesson again and when I finished it was time to go to work. I even took it with me to read it on the street car. Thus far, my course has covered what the book calls the fundamentals of advertising. It consists mainly of memorizing the elements and stages of advertising and advertising campaigns. It is a little different than the McAdams system but from what I know of the McAdams system they are alike in some respects. I will know better when we get into the actual study of an advertisement.
I have got to have this machine adjusted. The touch is a little heavy--especially on the r.
Last night I was called into the group leaders office and quizzed on everything I should know. It took about an hour. The answers I gave will determine the classification I will get when they put in the new jigs (jigs are the forms or dyes that the wings are made in).
The clown, fellow I was telling you about, was made my partner the other night. He and I were on the fastest crew in--and most efficient--the plant, and now we plan to be the fastest pair in the plant.
He brought a car to work last night and this morning when we got off he asked me if I wanted to ride home with him. So homeward bound I came in a car. It was an old 1930 Buick. I don't know how long this will keep up but he said if he decided to take it everyday he would give me a ride.
Now it is Tuesday!
It didn't take me that long to write Monday's letter. While I was writing your letter I got an idea for the theme that I have to hand in with this lesson-fifth lesson, so I wrote it. It is a description of L.A. I wrote it as Rabelais would, only without the profanity. That is I tried. I want to change it a little but when I finish it I will send it home and let you read it.
Last night at the plant I made my first butch. The material wasn't rejected so it really wasn't a butch but It was my first mistake. I reamed out a half dozen #40 holes #30. I immediately told my lead man, he looked over what I had done and said well it's about time, now everyone in my group has made a butch. "Really thought Larsen," he said "that was uncalled for. You must not have been thinking." I told him I must not have been, and if I ever pulled another bonehead mistake like that I would take a Saturday off. He laughed and said he would remember it. That little resolution gives me a good excuse never to make another one anyway--the one thing I didn't intend to do and don't intend to do it again. Such mistakes don't affect your personal record because they are easily fixed. One of the fellows said, "well, don't worry Larsen, McDonald here has had four skins rejected." I have heard about that and such things as that are absolutely uncalled for.
Well, anyway, I left the plant and as I was getting into Wally's car --Scott--my lead man walked by and said, "now God-Damn it, Larsen, get some sleep tonight, I have got to have someone around here I can depend on." Hope he meant that. It might be indicative of what I am hoping for. Still hoping (?).
By the way I mentioned Wally's car. I am still riding but he says he is going to sell it. I like the street car now, anyway, because I know practically everyone on the line.
This morning when I got on the street car a very good looking girl spoke to me. She had on a college sweater---USC--and had an arm full of books. I spoke and walked back and sat down with the boys. They all made an issue of it--boys will be boys--and ribbed me thoroughly. She kept turning around and smiling--I kept smiling and blushing--and when we reached Broadway--the main street of L.A.--she got off. She smiled when she left and said something but I couldn't hear it for the "smart remarks" the fellows were making. I kept thinking about it all the way home and when I got off the car it suddenly donned on me that I used to know her in High School and my freshman year at the U. Her first name is Virginia and her last, I think, Marshall. Now I am kicking myself for not talking to her.
I just finished dinner and telling the boys some tall tales about Salt Lake. I happened to mention skiing and they asked me if I skied. I said do I ski? Why once I was standing up at the top of the big take off at Ecker Hill cleaning the snow drifts off the run-way with a scoop shovel, and I slipped, lit on the scoop, went spinning down the runway, off the end of the jump, two hundred and fifty feet. That one broke up the bull session after dinner and now I think I had better quite and do a little reading. Write Soon. Love, Tom
I haven't written that letter to Louise yet but everything else in Sunday's letter stacks up. I read my lesson again and when I finished it was time to go to work. I even took it with me to read it on the street car. Thus far, my course has covered what the book calls the fundamentals of advertising. It consists mainly of memorizing the elements and stages of advertising and advertising campaigns. It is a little different than the McAdams system but from what I know of the McAdams system they are alike in some respects. I will know better when we get into the actual study of an advertisement.
I have got to have this machine adjusted. The touch is a little heavy--especially on the r.
Last night I was called into the group leaders office and quizzed on everything I should know. It took about an hour. The answers I gave will determine the classification I will get when they put in the new jigs (jigs are the forms or dyes that the wings are made in).
The clown, fellow I was telling you about, was made my partner the other night. He and I were on the fastest crew in--and most efficient--the plant, and now we plan to be the fastest pair in the plant.
He brought a car to work last night and this morning when we got off he asked me if I wanted to ride home with him. So homeward bound I came in a car. It was an old 1930 Buick. I don't know how long this will keep up but he said if he decided to take it everyday he would give me a ride.
Now it is Tuesday!
It didn't take me that long to write Monday's letter. While I was writing your letter I got an idea for the theme that I have to hand in with this lesson-fifth lesson, so I wrote it. It is a description of L.A. I wrote it as Rabelais would, only without the profanity. That is I tried. I want to change it a little but when I finish it I will send it home and let you read it.
Last night at the plant I made my first butch. The material wasn't rejected so it really wasn't a butch but It was my first mistake. I reamed out a half dozen #40 holes #30. I immediately told my lead man, he looked over what I had done and said well it's about time, now everyone in my group has made a butch. "Really thought Larsen," he said "that was uncalled for. You must not have been thinking." I told him I must not have been, and if I ever pulled another bonehead mistake like that I would take a Saturday off. He laughed and said he would remember it. That little resolution gives me a good excuse never to make another one anyway--the one thing I didn't intend to do and don't intend to do it again. Such mistakes don't affect your personal record because they are easily fixed. One of the fellows said, "well, don't worry Larsen, McDonald here has had four skins rejected." I have heard about that and such things as that are absolutely uncalled for.
Well, anyway, I left the plant and as I was getting into Wally's car --Scott--my lead man walked by and said, "now God-Damn it, Larsen, get some sleep tonight, I have got to have someone around here I can depend on." Hope he meant that. It might be indicative of what I am hoping for. Still hoping (?).
By the way I mentioned Wally's car. I am still riding but he says he is going to sell it. I like the street car now, anyway, because I know practically everyone on the line.
This morning when I got on the street car a very good looking girl spoke to me. She had on a college sweater---USC--and had an arm full of books. I spoke and walked back and sat down with the boys. They all made an issue of it--boys will be boys--and ribbed me thoroughly. She kept turning around and smiling--I kept smiling and blushing--and when we reached Broadway--the main street of L.A.--she got off. She smiled when she left and said something but I couldn't hear it for the "smart remarks" the fellows were making. I kept thinking about it all the way home and when I got off the car it suddenly donned on me that I used to know her in High School and my freshman year at the U. Her first name is Virginia and her last, I think, Marshall. Now I am kicking myself for not talking to her.
I just finished dinner and telling the boys some tall tales about Salt Lake. I happened to mention skiing and they asked me if I skied. I said do I ski? Why once I was standing up at the top of the big take off at Ecker Hill cleaning the snow drifts off the run-way with a scoop shovel, and I slipped, lit on the scoop, went spinning down the runway, off the end of the jump, two hundred and fifty feet. That one broke up the bull session after dinner and now I think I had better quite and do a little reading. Write Soon. Love, Tom
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Letter 19, September 26, 1941
First Letter Typed on new Typewriter
Dear Mother and Dad,
Got up today, studied my course, ate dinner, wrote Vandy a letter, took a nap, and as soon as I finish this letter I am going to resume my studies. Not much happens around here. I am pretty well acquainted with the boys here in the house now, and consequently they are nice fellows. Two of them--twins--are from Idaho, two are from Wisconsin, one is from Northern California, and, well, they are the ones I do most of my paling around with. One of the twins is in my room now listening to Nelson's radio.
He is quite an intelligent, sophisticated fellow. He seems to have a general understanding about everything. What I don't know about this being on my own, he teaches me. He is the is one I told you about that has been called to the army but due to his lungs and nostrils he has a slight breathing difficulty, so they aren't going to accept him. At least he doesn't think they will. He will know definitely in about ten days. His trouble developed from pneumonia. He was even operated on for it and they had to remove a section of one of his lungs. From now on I will refer to him as Bill. His twin brother's name is Mark. They are not identical twins in appearance but mentally they seem to be, except Mark is more backward than Bill.
The fellows from Wisconsin are happy-go-lucky good time Charlie's. They would give you the shirts off their backs. I will refer to them as Harold and Chris. The fellow from California is friendly, and good natured, and big. I will refer to him as Big Bill. They are all working in the defence industry.
Hey mother, where are my letters? Louis has written two since I last heard from you. Are you busy with the fruit or are you putting any up this year? Vandy tells me she just finished peeling, what it seems like to her, a million pears. Some weekend when you have nothing to do, you ought to phone her and ask her to go someplace. I am sure she would go. I wrote and told her you were going to call on her some weekend and she said she wished you would.
I am very much in favor of accepting your more solid advise Louis. I have got a motto from it that is very sound I think. I am going to play the field and never get involved. You speak of alliances with the wrong people as being millstones around your neck: I know now where I could make a mistake by tying in with at least one person I know--and that is Bridwell. He is interested in advertising and wants me to get you to help him. And, maybe someday he thinks maybe he could get you to give him a job. I told him he didn't need to try because you probably know as well as I do that he is about the same type as Paul. I don't think it would hurt to help him, if he takes advertising seriously but I don't think he ever will. I had several arguments with him while he was here but didn't want to have anything to do with. We got along very well while he was here but just watching him and listening to him convinced me of one thing, and that is he is not the type of person I would like to be around. I am quite sure he didn't go home because of me, because I always treated him friendly. He is just a person who's character is weak in almost every respect and that think alone turned me against him, although i never told him so. Maybe I am wrong to feel this way but I can't help it. It is natural for me to feel this way as well.
I might be wrong to talk this way to anyone--even my parents--but I think he believes I like him enough to go into business with him someday. He talks about it and I just listen and tell him nothing. He takes everything for granted. Maybe I am wrong in telling you not to give him a job, but I don't think he will work and If he does start working for you, due to our friendship I think he will expect to work with and share with me for life, when I come into the agency. That would be a millstone around my neck because in the first place we don't think in any respect alike. I hope you will understand what I mean, and excuse me for talking like this.
There is not much news and this is something I have wanted to tell you ever since Bridwell went home. I am not asking you to keep him out of our agency business to keep him from getting ahead for I am sure if he wants to get ahead he con do it on his own. Damn it, this is hard to say. I hope you don't get the wrong impression. Then again he might lose interest before he gets the general idea from this course and asks you for a job. speaking of no news I had better quite. Keep an eye on the little woman for me, once you break the ice and take her with you on one of your Sunday jaunts. I have got to go to work in about two hours so if I want to study this course I had better get started.
I am sorry to hear that you have a cold Louis. I hope it is better by the time this letter comes. And Mother, I wish I could help you wash those dishes every night. I intend to someday but I have got a lot of things now that I want to accomplish before I come home. I want to invest in myself for a few years and see if I can't make a real man out of myself, and I think this is the only way. Anyway I will see you over the vacations. Either I will come home or you two can come and see me. Love, Tom
P.S. How do you like the type-writer? I am either going to buy this one or another one which I think would be a little easier to type on. This one is to small.
I forgot to mail this letter last night in all of my rambunctious efforts to get to work. Will write tomorrow. Love again, Tom
Dear Mother and Dad,
Got up today, studied my course, ate dinner, wrote Vandy a letter, took a nap, and as soon as I finish this letter I am going to resume my studies. Not much happens around here. I am pretty well acquainted with the boys here in the house now, and consequently they are nice fellows. Two of them--twins--are from Idaho, two are from Wisconsin, one is from Northern California, and, well, they are the ones I do most of my paling around with. One of the twins is in my room now listening to Nelson's radio.
He is quite an intelligent, sophisticated fellow. He seems to have a general understanding about everything. What I don't know about this being on my own, he teaches me. He is the is one I told you about that has been called to the army but due to his lungs and nostrils he has a slight breathing difficulty, so they aren't going to accept him. At least he doesn't think they will. He will know definitely in about ten days. His trouble developed from pneumonia. He was even operated on for it and they had to remove a section of one of his lungs. From now on I will refer to him as Bill. His twin brother's name is Mark. They are not identical twins in appearance but mentally they seem to be, except Mark is more backward than Bill.
The fellows from Wisconsin are happy-go-lucky good time Charlie's. They would give you the shirts off their backs. I will refer to them as Harold and Chris. The fellow from California is friendly, and good natured, and big. I will refer to him as Big Bill. They are all working in the defence industry.
Hey mother, where are my letters? Louis has written two since I last heard from you. Are you busy with the fruit or are you putting any up this year? Vandy tells me she just finished peeling, what it seems like to her, a million pears. Some weekend when you have nothing to do, you ought to phone her and ask her to go someplace. I am sure she would go. I wrote and told her you were going to call on her some weekend and she said she wished you would.
I am very much in favor of accepting your more solid advise Louis. I have got a motto from it that is very sound I think. I am going to play the field and never get involved. You speak of alliances with the wrong people as being millstones around your neck: I know now where I could make a mistake by tying in with at least one person I know--and that is Bridwell. He is interested in advertising and wants me to get you to help him. And, maybe someday he thinks maybe he could get you to give him a job. I told him he didn't need to try because you probably know as well as I do that he is about the same type as Paul. I don't think it would hurt to help him, if he takes advertising seriously but I don't think he ever will. I had several arguments with him while he was here but didn't want to have anything to do with. We got along very well while he was here but just watching him and listening to him convinced me of one thing, and that is he is not the type of person I would like to be around. I am quite sure he didn't go home because of me, because I always treated him friendly. He is just a person who's character is weak in almost every respect and that think alone turned me against him, although i never told him so. Maybe I am wrong to feel this way but I can't help it. It is natural for me to feel this way as well.
I might be wrong to talk this way to anyone--even my parents--but I think he believes I like him enough to go into business with him someday. He talks about it and I just listen and tell him nothing. He takes everything for granted. Maybe I am wrong in telling you not to give him a job, but I don't think he will work and If he does start working for you, due to our friendship I think he will expect to work with and share with me for life, when I come into the agency. That would be a millstone around my neck because in the first place we don't think in any respect alike. I hope you will understand what I mean, and excuse me for talking like this.
There is not much news and this is something I have wanted to tell you ever since Bridwell went home. I am not asking you to keep him out of our agency business to keep him from getting ahead for I am sure if he wants to get ahead he con do it on his own. Damn it, this is hard to say. I hope you don't get the wrong impression. Then again he might lose interest before he gets the general idea from this course and asks you for a job. speaking of no news I had better quite. Keep an eye on the little woman for me, once you break the ice and take her with you on one of your Sunday jaunts. I have got to go to work in about two hours so if I want to study this course I had better get started.
I am sorry to hear that you have a cold Louis. I hope it is better by the time this letter comes. And Mother, I wish I could help you wash those dishes every night. I intend to someday but I have got a lot of things now that I want to accomplish before I come home. I want to invest in myself for a few years and see if I can't make a real man out of myself, and I think this is the only way. Anyway I will see you over the vacations. Either I will come home or you two can come and see me. Love, Tom
P.S. How do you like the type-writer? I am either going to buy this one or another one which I think would be a little easier to type on. This one is to small.
I forgot to mail this letter last night in all of my rambunctious efforts to get to work. Will write tomorrow. Love again, Tom
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Letter 18, September 23, 1941
Dear Mother & Dad
Just finished studying for awhile.
I got a regular sized pay check for a change this morning. Tomorrow morning when I get off work I am going to snoop around town and see if I can't pick myself up a typewriter.
Lovesick & homesick--Bridwell--is quiting his job tonight and going home Sunday. I think he is making a mistake too. I am glad you stopped me when you did. I can see now more & more each day, that I have got to stick this thing out. I will not only develop some character but I will get off on the right track in life by getting this fickleness out of my system.
Moench, I understand, is coming back down here sometime next week. If he does come and feels like it, Whity and I are going to get him to go to the football game on the 27th. This is a large conference and it should be an exciting game.
Write soon, and start planning for a trip---a trip to California over the holidays. Love, Tom
Just finished studying for awhile.
I got a regular sized pay check for a change this morning. Tomorrow morning when I get off work I am going to snoop around town and see if I can't pick myself up a typewriter.
Lovesick & homesick--Bridwell--is quiting his job tonight and going home Sunday. I think he is making a mistake too. I am glad you stopped me when you did. I can see now more & more each day, that I have got to stick this thing out. I will not only develop some character but I will get off on the right track in life by getting this fickleness out of my system.
Moench, I understand, is coming back down here sometime next week. If he does come and feels like it, Whity and I are going to get him to go to the football game on the 27th. This is a large conference and it should be an exciting game.
Write soon, and start planning for a trip---a trip to California over the holidays. Love, Tom
Letter 17, Septermber 20, 1941
Dear Mother & Dad
Between my working and my course I am keeping quite busy, and believe it or not I love it. Keeps me mind from wondering to far.
Last Sunday the union closed the bill with Lockheed, which has been in effect since July 1, by giving the employees a ten cent blanket raise starting at sixty cents. All that is retroactive, dating from July 1, will be paid up. My check for that time will amount to forty five dollars aside from my usual check. That means that in about three weeks, the time it will take to tabulate all of it, I will get a check for eighty five dollars. With that I will have money to burn, but I am not going to burn it, I am going to salt it--if you get what I mean, and use it for my future interests.
One of the fellows here in the house is going to be drafted in a few weeks. He is trying to get a deferment but I doubt if he will bet it and so does he. He is worried sick. I am glad I am witnessing this. I know now what I can expect if I step out of the defense industry. He is down at the local draft board now trying to get some sort of deferment.
Last Saturday I went over to Hollywood and stayed with Whitey. We plan to get together every weekend. We went to a show and then walked from there to his apartment, or rather his parents apartment, three miles away. We had quite a talk. I have never seen Jack quite so serious about his school. I have never seen any of my friends show as much interest about something as he did. I am not going to say he will make it this time but from all indications, if he ever does it will be now. At least I hope he does. He has even been making a scrape book about dentistry and it shows that a considerable amount of time and work have been spent.
I sent my first lesson in last night and am now thinking I had better get started on another.
Write and let me know what you are doing and I will do the same in my spare moments. If I have none, I will make some--------Love, tom
Between my working and my course I am keeping quite busy, and believe it or not I love it. Keeps me mind from wondering to far.
Last Sunday the union closed the bill with Lockheed, which has been in effect since July 1, by giving the employees a ten cent blanket raise starting at sixty cents. All that is retroactive, dating from July 1, will be paid up. My check for that time will amount to forty five dollars aside from my usual check. That means that in about three weeks, the time it will take to tabulate all of it, I will get a check for eighty five dollars. With that I will have money to burn, but I am not going to burn it, I am going to salt it--if you get what I mean, and use it for my future interests.
One of the fellows here in the house is going to be drafted in a few weeks. He is trying to get a deferment but I doubt if he will bet it and so does he. He is worried sick. I am glad I am witnessing this. I know now what I can expect if I step out of the defense industry. He is down at the local draft board now trying to get some sort of deferment.
Last Saturday I went over to Hollywood and stayed with Whitey. We plan to get together every weekend. We went to a show and then walked from there to his apartment, or rather his parents apartment, three miles away. We had quite a talk. I have never seen Jack quite so serious about his school. I have never seen any of my friends show as much interest about something as he did. I am not going to say he will make it this time but from all indications, if he ever does it will be now. At least I hope he does. He has even been making a scrape book about dentistry and it shows that a considerable amount of time and work have been spent.
I sent my first lesson in last night and am now thinking I had better get started on another.
Write and let me know what you are doing and I will do the same in my spare moments. If I have none, I will make some--------Love, tom
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