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Mon. Aug 31st 1942
Dear Darling,
I seem to forget that there is no west bound train on Monday mornings. I tried to mail you a letter last nite but - no train, same as a week ago when I made a special trip to the depot on Sunday nite. Well Darling, Bud paid me 5 Bucks for my work Saturday nite & Sunday. I worked there this afternoon too. I did a grease job, made a change of oil, serviced several cars for gas & oil, and replaced a broken fan belt on a Ford. But I did this more on my own time. The reason I was there is that I wanted to watch a guy they call Smoky vulcanize tires, because I have decided that I want to learn the trade. Smoky makes from 40 to 50 dollars a day doing this, but he only works a day or two and then he goes on a drunk and spends his money on no-good-for-nothing girls. Then he works another day or two and then he's gone again. But he does certainly know his work when it comes to vulcanizing. Bud wants me to take over that vulcanizing business. He says he will not sign a lease with Wesness & Olson unless Olson puts Smoky out of there. I told him that it was impossible for me, being that I have no money & am far in debt besides. But he insisted that I go and see Olson, and he says, "I think you'll find that you won't need a penny". So I did see Olson tonite. Here is what he told me. Smoky was drafted, but was deferred because of his important trade. But the government requires that he train someone to replace him when he is again called. But he is failing to do this as he does not want to tie himself down and miss the good times, or entertainments. "Therefore", Olson says, "it is going to be necessary for him to sell his equipment or at least lease it out for the Duration". "So", Olson says, "you ask Smoky if he will sell. If he will, then we will see that you get it. If not, then when the law catches up with him he shall of course be forced to sell or lease". Wesness & Olson will be the receivers. They in turn want me to use the equipment until I have earned the amount to either purchase or lease it from them. One needs only to vulcanize 3 tires to make a profit of $10 to $15. But even if you take all the time in the world, one can vulcanize 10 tires per day. Or if you want to make every minute count, one can turn out 15 to 20 tires daily.
Smoky is single. He showed me how to cut out the breaks, buff them and seal them. It really is very simple. I learned more today than I thought I could learn in a week. Of course Smoky is still unaware that I am interested in stepping in to his place.
Lillian, down at Will's & Margaret's apartment house, called me by phone at the warehouse this morning & said that she is going out to the coast next week & wanted to know if we would want to rent the house. The rooms & the apartment are full. Brings in $78.00. We can figure that the lights & water would cost us 10.00. Fuel 5.00. Margaret wants 40.00, but Lillian thinks she can get Margaret to make it 35.00. Anyway, we would have to figure $50.00 pay out, and then take chances on the rent of our own house besides. And we probably could only get 15.00 rent if we did get renters. What is your opinion, Darling. I told her that you & I would talk it over. She wants to know within 3 or 4 days. She is writing Margaret today to see if she would let us have it for 35.00.
Darling, I do hope that you have, or will have, a letter in the mail for me saying that I can bring you home this week.
It has been so wet & cloudy lately that the tomatoes are not ripening as rapidly as before. --- Donald absolutely refused to go home with me last nite. But he did kiss me Bye though. Dad says Kay stays in the house most of the time, with Mother.
Well it's ten o'clock. Been up since 2 this morning. And what a big day. Well good nite Darling till tomorrow nite. Love from Irvin
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