I'm continuing my series of scanning, transcribing, and annotating my grandfather's love letters to my grandmother leading up to their marriage in June 1940. The letters are chronologically organized and preserved, using the methods I discuss in detail in my book, Creating Family Archives: A Step-by-Step Guide for Saving Your Memories for Future Generations
In his fourth letter, Grandpa seems to be all business. He's getting used to working in the factory and is looking forward to taking on new projects and learning new skills. He seems a bit distracted by the amount of work that's ahead of him. I think it's his way of saying that he's working very hard and earning as much money as he can. It seems odd that the check would be sent home to his father, but perhaps that was because Grandpa had just gotten settled into his boarding house.
Here's a great picture I found of him, looking very proud of himself!
An undated picture of my Grandpa (probably in the 1930s in Paterson, NJ) with his car.
The last paragraph about my grandma seems a bit like an afterthought. A letter about work isn't very romantic, so you need to squeeze in a few nice sentiments. Grandpa's excited to return home that weekend!
Scranton Penna
Jan. 17, 1940
Dear Ann,
We expect to leave here for home on Friday, however I do not think we will be home until late at night. You can expect me at about 10 AM Saturday morning. If it so happens that it snows to [sic] much I may come home on the train, if I can loan enough money. I just received word from Lena that my father has a check for me for my pay.
At the rate things are going it will take at least another two weeks before I catch up with all the work I have to do. When I do catch up I may have a little breathing spell but not for long as I was told I would have plenty of work and I can see it myself too. However, the more work I have to do the better I can work especially if it is something new from which I can learn something. Our old boss (Mr. Steiner) was up here for two days and left Otto with plenty of work to do. He doesn't mind it at all either because some of it is new work to him and he likes it. While he was here he dropped a few hints as to what he wants Otto and I to do in the near future with certain old stock etc. This job which will have to be supervised by either Otto or myself will take weeks if not months to do properly.
Now to get back to my first thought, my love for you. Words describing my love for you should come easy to me but I guess I am a man of action more than a man of words so you must bear with me until Saturday.
With all my love
I remain very
truly yours
Ray
.***
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