Dear Thom,
I am not in the best of spirits at this precise moment. Circumstances are not exactly par.
My easy chair which I had placed in storage last May arrived today in wretched shape.
Three of the legs were separated from the chair proper. I nailed two back on, but I cannot
locate the third. I suppose I'll have to make a new one out of something.
Outside of that particular problem there are several other nasty situations looming up. For
instance my room is piled with equipment and broken furniture which came back from
storage and I have no place to put them since the cabinets I ordered have not yet arrived.
Also, I did not get the classes I wanted and my schedule is all fouled up.
Nevertheless, although things look dark, I will continue to fight back at the forces that seek
to oppress me. At least I have a single. Things could be worse.
On the lighter side I will now give you my P report. There is little to report as she is given to
a taciturn nature when thrown back on her own defenses. That is to say, because she did not feel as confident of herself at the dance, where she knew no one, as she did at the beach
(evidently her natural habitat) she clam(m)?ed up and let me carry the conversation which I
am sorry to say dragged embarrassingly at the beginning. However, after I saw that she
would not, or perhaps could not, start a sentence on her own, I grabbed the ball and ran with
it for the rest of the night. She is either a very good listener or a very good actress, perhaps
both. I think I touched on every subject from Atomic Destruction of the world to the morals
and ethics of consuming alcoholic beverages. She would comment on each point which I
bought up but it was a rare moment when she brought up a new point (she never changed
the subject.)
Here are some of my findings, such as they are:
Pro:
Most types of music, including Rock & Roll
Reading good books, including Science Fiction
Bowling
N.D.
Catholic Church
Walking
Peaceful co-existence
Hot Turkey Sandwiches
Electric-blue wearing apparel
Coffee
Cons:
Popular Jazz
Smoking cigs
Drinking liquor (says she's too young)
Girls who refuse to go out with boys who do not possess automobiles
Becoming a Nun
People who insist that CVS is the asshole of the public school system, even if it is
This report while it is not conclusive should prove interesting reading for anyone who
enjoys reading between the lines, conjecturing, etc. I definitely intend to do more
research on the case. To achieve this end I intend to invite her down to N.D. in
November for a dance. Whether she will come or not, I don't know.
As to her feeling toward me, I'd say they ranged all the way from indifferent to non-
committal, but that is merely my opinion. And I've been wrong before.
I will let you know if any further incidents in this case develop.
That's all for now.
Bob-o
P.S. radio reception is very good but the roof is very steep. Ascent looks impossible
without 10 men and a guide, but I have not given up. Roof is definitely flat-----------saw
aerial photo.
Will write when the summit is reached.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Sept. 15, 1957
Dear bob,
Had a very nice trip up here and was very thrilled to be able to fly again.
I arrived in Albany early in the morning and had three hours to kill, so I just walked
around the city and watched it wake up.
It was the second time I had been in Albany, and I like the city more and more each
time I see it.
i started out from the New York Central station, which is east of the main downtown
section, and headed west, past the state capital building ( the striking building with
the huge staircase in "Beau James") and soon I was in a residential section reminiscent
of some of the side streets in New York. Noticeably lacking, however, was the sense of
great anticipation which fills the streets of New York in the early morning hours. It was
almost as if this metropolis to the north were casting a knowing, maternal smile down
the Hudson to her favorite child, whom she will reprimand when the occasion arises.
West of the residential section was a huge park much like Jackson Park. Only the hills
were much steeper, the ravines more prone to contain a dry stream. The only edifices
which violated the park were on a peninsula a block long. there were only four of them,
each of prodigious size, the garage and servants' quarters would have more than
sufficed for all the Machuras in these United States.
The view across the Hudson, which is just east of the city, was very nice; lofty green
hills contained what I supposed to be the nearest outpost of suburbia.
The one shortcoming of the town which really bothers me is the names which are
attached to the streets in the downtown area. As best as I could ascertain, the center of
town is the intersection of Main and Pearl Streets. Other main arteries of the city were
named Beaver, Eagle, Hawk, Elm, Oak, Pine, and other sundry flora and fauna. Hudson
Avenue, a side street flanked by warehouses, was the only street I came across whose
name bore any historical significance. Evidently, the Audubon Society was very
influential in early Albany!
Having polished off Albany, I went on to Hanover, and the next morning I left on the
freshman trip. I had a great time and even blazed a few trails.
Right now, I'm getting ready for fraternity rushing to start tomorrow evening. I just hope
that if I do get into a fraternity I can scare up enough money for everything.
Classes start Wednesday, so it won't be very long before my letters, of necessity, will
become much more succinct, much to your relief, I'm sure.
Write as soon as you can (don't forget to enclose your new address) and tell me about
your date.
With that bait
met through fate.
How's her weight?
Does she rate?
Cogitate?
Osculate?
Being very modest, I do not want to close this letter with my own surprisingly
spontaneous poem, so I submit as the thought for this month a line by W.H. Auden:
"Thousands have lived without love, not one without water."
Tom
Had a very nice trip up here and was very thrilled to be able to fly again.
I arrived in Albany early in the morning and had three hours to kill, so I just walked
around the city and watched it wake up.
It was the second time I had been in Albany, and I like the city more and more each
time I see it.
i started out from the New York Central station, which is east of the main downtown
section, and headed west, past the state capital building ( the striking building with
the huge staircase in "Beau James") and soon I was in a residential section reminiscent
of some of the side streets in New York. Noticeably lacking, however, was the sense of
great anticipation which fills the streets of New York in the early morning hours. It was
almost as if this metropolis to the north were casting a knowing, maternal smile down
the Hudson to her favorite child, whom she will reprimand when the occasion arises.
West of the residential section was a huge park much like Jackson Park. Only the hills
were much steeper, the ravines more prone to contain a dry stream. The only edifices
which violated the park were on a peninsula a block long. there were only four of them,
each of prodigious size, the garage and servants' quarters would have more than
sufficed for all the Machuras in these United States.
The view across the Hudson, which is just east of the city, was very nice; lofty green
hills contained what I supposed to be the nearest outpost of suburbia.
The one shortcoming of the town which really bothers me is the names which are
attached to the streets in the downtown area. As best as I could ascertain, the center of
town is the intersection of Main and Pearl Streets. Other main arteries of the city were
named Beaver, Eagle, Hawk, Elm, Oak, Pine, and other sundry flora and fauna. Hudson
Avenue, a side street flanked by warehouses, was the only street I came across whose
name bore any historical significance. Evidently, the Audubon Society was very
influential in early Albany!
Having polished off Albany, I went on to Hanover, and the next morning I left on the
freshman trip. I had a great time and even blazed a few trails.
Right now, I'm getting ready for fraternity rushing to start tomorrow evening. I just hope
that if I do get into a fraternity I can scare up enough money for everything.
Classes start Wednesday, so it won't be very long before my letters, of necessity, will
become much more succinct, much to your relief, I'm sure.
Write as soon as you can (don't forget to enclose your new address) and tell me about
your date.
With that bait
met through fate.
How's her weight?
Does she rate?
Cogitate?
Osculate?
Being very modest, I do not want to close this letter with my own surprisingly
spontaneous poem, so I submit as the thought for this month a line by W.H. Auden:
"Thousands have lived without love, not one without water."
Tom
May 22, 1957
Dear thom,
I was very impressed, as were my numerous compatriots, with "The Dirtmouth". It
was read and reread by countless thousands until it finally fell apart. I have preserved
the remains.
G got a kick out of seeing C's picture, naturally he, being a true G, thought it was actually
her picture.
I will be home on May 29. I will see you as soon as I can. Since it's so near the end, you
don't have to answer this unless you have some important message to relay.
Bob
KN to KN5. Be sure to move the right knight. It's the one in the third rank.
I was very impressed, as were my numerous compatriots, with "The Dirtmouth". It
was read and reread by countless thousands until it finally fell apart. I have preserved
the remains.
G got a kick out of seeing C's picture, naturally he, being a true G, thought it was actually
her picture.
I will be home on May 29. I will see you as soon as I can. Since it's so near the end, you
don't have to answer this unless you have some important message to relay.
Bob
KN to KN5. Be sure to move the right knight. It's the one in the third rank.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
May 19, 1957
Addressed: "Not Game University"
Dear Blob,
I'm so sorry about my dilatoriness, but you know how mad the girls get if I don't write a weekly
letter, and since I only have a limited amount of time for letter-writing, your letters always
wind up on the bottom of the pile, and they come to my attention only when I dust, which is
infrequently.
The reason for all the secrecy attached to our Dirtmouth project was that if the upper-
classmen learned of it beforehand, they could and probably would have suppressed
the tabloid. As it was, however, they found out after the stories had been set, and there
was little they could do.
We had a ball down at the press. We actually tied up three or four of the directorate,
but we gave them some beer and kept them happy.
This summer I'll explain just how we managed to pull the stunt, for it's a complicated affair.
Since finals are approaching rapidly, I took a trip to New York last weekend to try to break
the boredom so that I would be able to concentrate better when I got back.
I went to a ball game at the Polo Grounds and later saw "The Diary of Anne Frank".
Of course, I also spent a lot of time strolling up and down the avenues.
I should be home on the 5th. I'm planning to get a ride home and should make it in
about twenty hours.
Tom
QB to KB4
Dear Blob,
I'm so sorry about my dilatoriness, but you know how mad the girls get if I don't write a weekly
letter, and since I only have a limited amount of time for letter-writing, your letters always
wind up on the bottom of the pile, and they come to my attention only when I dust, which is
infrequently.
The reason for all the secrecy attached to our Dirtmouth project was that if the upper-
classmen learned of it beforehand, they could and probably would have suppressed
the tabloid. As it was, however, they found out after the stories had been set, and there
was little they could do.
We had a ball down at the press. We actually tied up three or four of the directorate,
but we gave them some beer and kept them happy.
This summer I'll explain just how we managed to pull the stunt, for it's a complicated affair.
Since finals are approaching rapidly, I took a trip to New York last weekend to try to break
the boredom so that I would be able to concentrate better when I got back.
I went to a ball game at the Polo Grounds and later saw "The Diary of Anne Frank".
Of course, I also spent a lot of time strolling up and down the avenues.
I should be home on the 5th. I'm planning to get a ride home and should make it in
about twenty hours.
Tom
QB to KB4
May 13, 1957
Addressed: "No Fame University"
Dear Bob,
Enclosed you will find a copy of the special Freshman issue of the Dartmouth.
Unfortunately I was unable to get the picture of M into the paper, but it wasn't a good
picture anyway.
My article is on the front page, and you can tell which one it is, for there's a well known
name in it.
I don't know why I put that particular name in, I must be sentimental. There certainly
was no connection between her and the picture.
Tom
Dear Bob,
Enclosed you will find a copy of the special Freshman issue of the Dartmouth.
Unfortunately I was unable to get the picture of M into the paper, but it wasn't a good
picture anyway.
My article is on the front page, and you can tell which one it is, for there's a well known
name in it.
I don't know why I put that particular name in, I must be sentimental. There certainly
was no connection between her and the picture.
Tom
Sunday, July 1, 2012
May 10, 1957
Dear Thom,
It is good to hear from you finally. It is not like you to be so dilatory. Is college life having
an adverse affect on you staunch character?
The weather since april 28th, the day I came back here, has been very favorable. I
believe that the annual monsoon season is over. That's what they call April down here.
My hall seems to be located at a drainage or collecting hollow. At times our only sidewalk,
which we needed to connect us with the outside world, was completely under water. Excused
cuts were being allowed for leaky rowboats, etc.
I hope you get your newspaper out, but why all the secrecy? It seem that (1) the upper-
classmen should be pleased that you are putting out a newspaper all by yourselves and
are saving them all that trouble and (2) if they are completely against it, I don't see how
you can get it out no matter how much secrecy is employed.
I will be home at least by May 29. G and I are very much in favor of descending upon the
"Egg" on Monday night and raiding the hatchery, as it were.
I thought your poem about Margie was excellent. i feel you have truly captured the spirit
of the event. I have yet to read it to G, but I'm sure he will laugh heartily.
That's about all for now. I must be off to breakfast.
Bob
P.S. I will work for Bennett's again next summer for sure. I don't know where H is going
to work, the mill, I guess.
King Rook Pawn to King Rook 3
It is good to hear from you finally. It is not like you to be so dilatory. Is college life having
an adverse affect on you staunch character?
The weather since april 28th, the day I came back here, has been very favorable. I
believe that the annual monsoon season is over. That's what they call April down here.
My hall seems to be located at a drainage or collecting hollow. At times our only sidewalk,
which we needed to connect us with the outside world, was completely under water. Excused
cuts were being allowed for leaky rowboats, etc.
I hope you get your newspaper out, but why all the secrecy? It seem that (1) the upper-
classmen should be pleased that you are putting out a newspaper all by yourselves and
are saving them all that trouble and (2) if they are completely against it, I don't see how
you can get it out no matter how much secrecy is employed.
I will be home at least by May 29. G and I are very much in favor of descending upon the
"Egg" on Monday night and raiding the hatchery, as it were.
I thought your poem about Margie was excellent. i feel you have truly captured the spirit
of the event. I have yet to read it to G, but I'm sure he will laugh heartily.
That's about all for now. I must be off to breakfast.
Bob
P.S. I will work for Bennett's again next summer for sure. I don't know where H is going
to work, the mill, I guess.
King Rook Pawn to King Rook 3
May 5, 1957
Dear Bob,
I'm sorry about not sending you my crushing chess moves sooner, but due to the weather
conditions, the snow train is able to get through only once a month. Now that summer is
coming, however, I'm sure the mail will go through, and I'll be able to be more prompt
in my replies.
You may think I'm kidding, but we actually did have snow last week. It snowed very lightly
all morning and the snow melted as soon as it reached the ground. For two weeks before
that, though, the weather had been just beautiful. The temperature was around 80 degrees
every day and almost everybody was outside on the lawn smiling. Today is another wonderful
day with the temperatures near 70 degrees and nary a cloud in the sky.
The big news now - - next to the fact that there are only four weeks of school left - is that
the 60s on The Dartmouth, America's Oldest College Newspaper, are planning to seize
the venerable publication Wednesday night and put out an edition on our own. I have a
story for that notable issue, and I may be able to get a picture of M, "My feed are cold John",
on the front page. If our plot comes off, I'll send you a copy of The Dirtmouth, America's
Boldest College Newsletter. the freshmen at Princeton tried the same thing a few months
ago, but the upperclassmen directorate members stopped the paper while it was still on
the press. We think, however, that we have everything taken care of, and I think we'll get it off.
I'm very favorable to your suggestion about going abroad during the summer of '58. I
discussed the idea with a friend of mine from Washington who knows quite a bit about
the machinations of our federal government, and he said he'd try to find out what he can
about it. I'll write you as soon as I find out something definite.
Next weekend is Green Key weekend, and since the campus will be crawling with beautiful
girls, I plan to spend the weekend in New York. I really love that city, and I'd like to see a lot
more of it. I'll probably take in a show and a concert and spend the rest of the time walking
around.
I think you'll like a single room a lot. I'm keeping mine even though it'll cost $70 more next
year. Our tuition has also gone up - - $190! Champaign here I come!
I still have to do my German this afternoon, so I'll close with this forecast.
Next year's A.Q. Varieties
Will certainly be cool;
The whole extravaganza
Will take place in Carmel's pool.
Margie's solo act
The critics will call frantic,
As she'n an ice cube'll demonstrate
The fate of the Titanic.
Tom
Qn Kt to Qn Kn4
I
I'm sorry about not sending you my crushing chess moves sooner, but due to the weather
conditions, the snow train is able to get through only once a month. Now that summer is
coming, however, I'm sure the mail will go through, and I'll be able to be more prompt
in my replies.
You may think I'm kidding, but we actually did have snow last week. It snowed very lightly
all morning and the snow melted as soon as it reached the ground. For two weeks before
that, though, the weather had been just beautiful. The temperature was around 80 degrees
every day and almost everybody was outside on the lawn smiling. Today is another wonderful
day with the temperatures near 70 degrees and nary a cloud in the sky.
The big news now - - next to the fact that there are only four weeks of school left - is that
the 60s on The Dartmouth, America's Oldest College Newspaper, are planning to seize
the venerable publication Wednesday night and put out an edition on our own. I have a
story for that notable issue, and I may be able to get a picture of M, "My feed are cold John",
on the front page. If our plot comes off, I'll send you a copy of The Dirtmouth, America's
Boldest College Newsletter. the freshmen at Princeton tried the same thing a few months
ago, but the upperclassmen directorate members stopped the paper while it was still on
the press. We think, however, that we have everything taken care of, and I think we'll get it off.
I'm very favorable to your suggestion about going abroad during the summer of '58. I
discussed the idea with a friend of mine from Washington who knows quite a bit about
the machinations of our federal government, and he said he'd try to find out what he can
about it. I'll write you as soon as I find out something definite.
Next weekend is Green Key weekend, and since the campus will be crawling with beautiful
girls, I plan to spend the weekend in New York. I really love that city, and I'd like to see a lot
more of it. I'll probably take in a show and a concert and spend the rest of the time walking
around.
I think you'll like a single room a lot. I'm keeping mine even though it'll cost $70 more next
year. Our tuition has also gone up - - $190! Champaign here I come!
I still have to do my German this afternoon, so I'll close with this forecast.
Next year's A.Q. Varieties
Will certainly be cool;
The whole extravaganza
Will take place in Carmel's pool.
Margie's solo act
The critics will call frantic,
As she'n an ice cube'll demonstrate
The fate of the Titanic.
Tom
Qn Kt to Qn Kn4
I
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