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Portland, Oregon.
Sept 6, 1937.


My Dear Elsie -

    I just got back home from Lu's. I've been visiting there since Sat. nite.
    Well Vernon didn't get his gob at the Alaska Junk Co. last Tues. But he did get work on a large berry ranch. Mr. George Schaeffer, owner of ranch, furnishes Vernon and Dorothy with a house and furniture, milk and all the vegetables and fruits that they want, including prune plums, pears, apples, strawberries and raspberries. And on top of all that, he pays them $40.00 per mo. Oh! Yes, and he furnishes them with electric lights and fuel too. I moved all of Vernon's paraphenalia out there yesterday. He started work this morning.
    Say! Darling, how much money have you got? Have you got enough to pay your way out here? If you have, why not come now? Listen Dear, you can get a job out here on the very first day of your arrival here. But you don't have to start work as soon as you get here. Aunt Lu told me today that she would like to have you stay with them for a while before you start work. Lu is just a grand old lady of about 52 years of age. Vern and Lu have a wonderful home. Vern takes his whiskey about the way I can and Lu can take about the same amount that you can. And Lu does her share of the smoking.
    But if you have not got enough to pay your way out here, how much do you need? But remember, I don't want you to come out on a coach. Take a sleeper, so that you can ride in comfort. Dorothy came all the way in a coach, and believe me, she was most dead from lack of rest when she got here. And another thing you must remember, is that you got to eat on the way out. It's a long trip, about a 56 or 60 hr. ride.
    I kind of think I'll be writing you a surprise letter tomorrow as I am sort of figuring on buying a new 1937 car tomorrow. But I am not sure yet.
    The reason I did not write you before tonight, is because I worked overtime Fri. nite 'till 11 o'clock. My pay check last week came to $21.00 minus 21 cents for Social Sec. funds. I stayed at Lu's & Vern's Sat. nite and last nite.
    But Darling, if you have not got enough money to pay your expenses on the way out here please let me know right away how much you need. When I say you can get work right away, I mean house-work. I thought that you would probably be willing to do house work until we can get you a job in a restaurant. House keeping jobs are advertised in the Portland papers every single day. They pay $15 to $20 with board and room. But Aunt Lu says it's not necessary for you to take a ho. kpg. job. She said that you were perfectly welcome to stay with them until you could get a cafe job. And I am welcomed at Lu's at any and all times.
    Please rush me a letter right away by air-mail. I'll surely write you tomorrow night.

               Love From
                 Irvin

            9019 Reedway St.
            Portland, Oregon


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