ATC waiting for the job to begin...Dorothy at Chautauqua

APO space 13135

c/o  postmaster

New York,  N.Y.

July 12, 1944

Dear Dorothy,

Last night when I came back from town I was getting ready for bed, in the dark as usual, I found your letter on my bed. Not having any lights in the barracks I waded through the mud over to the day room and read it there.

I believe I wrote a V – mail to you last week telling you that I’m in India etc. etc. At the present I happen to be about 400 miles west and a little south from where Bev stayed the last five years. I have my fears that I may be kept here, and I really don’t want that. I would really like to go up to where Badly has his house or even over where Willis stayed. Most of the bunch that I came over with has been assigned already but for me has to wait until last.

I haven’t heard a thing from mother or dad as yet. I sure wish they would hurry up and write. I got a letter from Peter that he sent me in the States.  It followed me around to every camp I have been to, and then out here again. At the time he was down in Bangalore training to be an officer. He feels pretty tough I guess and likes his training. He says Harvey has his commission and as second Lieut. ( don’t forget to pronounce the F in Lieut.) Tori and Dinoo in Foreman Christian College. Rayburn is in college in Simla and Betty Jean and Ginny Rose are at Isabella Thoburn. Ernie nearly passed out and has to have injections every day to keep him going that is all I guess. This all happened about three months ago. The other evening I had supper at the home of Capt. and Mrs. Matthews you remember Mrs. M is Stanley Jones daughter

You asked some questions that could stand answering so I’ll try I’m in the  A. T. C. In the Air Transport Command if you ask me it is the best outfit there is.

I was sent over here with no training from the Army except basic so I will or am supposed to do anything that is given me. But I believe that I will be used as an interpreter of some sort.

You’ll have to keep addressing your letters to me by the APO that you have until I send you a different one.

You ought to see me now. I think I look simply stunning!! A lovely G. I. haircut. I hate to look in the mirror for fear that I’ll scare myself

This had better be all for now I guess it hasn’t been too boring.

Always, Bill

Jewett House

Chautauqua

July 17, 1944

Dear Bill,

I hope you can stand the dizzy tilt.  Writing along the lines gets so boring I decided to do something different.

You still haven’t relieved my now almost overwhelming curiosity as to the locality of A.P.O. 13135.  The suspense is making me thin and pale – well, practically.

I wish you could see this joint.  I think you’d like it too.  There’s just everything – plays, operas, lectures, concerts, swimming, good movies, even a couple of little forest affairs that make a stab at being as lovely as Mussoorie.  I’ve just been over watching the orchestra practice and seeing the exertions of the trombone section turned my thoughts lightly to you. (Excuse the misquotation!)  We were sitting right behind the timpani section so, as you can imagine, the rest of the music was merely an accompaniment to the drums and the triangle.  A very different way to hear it but you do get to watch the conductor – if anyone wants to watch the conductor!

Quite a few Woodstockites are up here.  The know family in full strength.  Anna Allsion and Les for a couple of days.  Bev, Lois Lyon, Bishop Pickett and yours truly.  It’s quite tough, really.

I’m having fun in my classes – for a change.  For my English Lit course I have a dear old guy who is a combination of Mrs. Bowers and Mr. David – if they are at all compatible.  But he knows his stuff (Mrs. B) in spite of his doddering (Mr. D.) Get it?  In Dramatics my teacher is a very handsome, 40, the type who calls everyone darling and spends a large part of the time cross legged on his desk.  Fascinating!!!! By the way, just call me Bernhardt.  Ah-hem.

My curiosity is getting the better of me.  I know you and you aren’t very likely to be unattached as any time.  Who is your great love, now?  If it isn’t any of my business just say so but I’m still curious.  That sound very rude, come to think of it.  Let’s speak of other things.

I’m apt to burst into song any minute now.  The opera for tonight is practicing madly just across the street and I can’t help but hear them.

Hey, when you  get around to telling we what continent you are on, please add appropriate comments on how it feels to fly around the world in 60 hours of whatever it is.  I don’t suppose you look at it that way but you are lucky to be travelling around.  It gets to be such a habit.  I think I’d even endure an E.I.R. third class compartment just to be on the go.

This is rapidly descending into blah as my letters are apt to when I exhaust the news.  I’m working darn hard for all these classes and stuff but not much else happens – at least noting that makes news.

Don’t work too hard.  I’ll refrain from the obvious about what I want you to do with pencil and paper. ‘Bye now!

As ever,

Dorothy

P.S. I’ve picked up “Cookie.”  It’s better than “D.V.” at least.