"Once again I'm swearing off beer" - February 12, 1942
Miss Jean Johnson
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
L. Winsauer - Bks. 10 - School
Fitzsimons General Hospital
Denver, Colorado
Hi Darling —
There's a healthy black-jack game going on over my bed, and all the fellows say "howdy". I've been playing (was pretty lucky too) but can't keep my mind on the darn cards for thinking of you. Hon' these last two weeks at school are really going to drag — it is the home-stretch though and that's going to be a big help. Two more weeks of school, back to Louisiana, and then home to you — darling it's going to be swell! Cross your fingers for me for that furlough — I've written to our first sergeant back at Polk about one, but haven't heard from him yet, and am going to be walking on pins & needles 'till i do. Boy how I hope no news is good news.
Glad to hear you like the new job (I sorta envy those stamps) — say "hello" to Joyce Hinkle for me will you — I used to see her quite a lot when she ran around with M. Fiedler, but haven't bumped into her for a couple of years now. Did you know Margaret? Is she still in Sheboygan, or has she gone to Alaska? She was one swell gal and I'd like to see her once (K's Kinglish) before she leaves.
'Member you asked if I'd been in any fights lately? — Boy we got into a dilly last Saturday nite. Four of us went into Denver Sat., saw a show ("Two Faced Woman"), stopped in for a few beers, and got into an argument with a bunch of fellows from Lowry Field — The M.P.s finally stopped it, but it was really rugged while it lasted — we were doing O.K. too, but I've got a thumb that's going to be sore for a long time, and I ruined a perfectly good shirt. Once again I'm swearing off beer for life. Actually it wasn't our fault that the darn thing started (no kiddin) and the M.P.s took the Lowry boys in and let us go, but it makes me mad every time I get into a scrap — 'course that's always the next day —
(The boys in the black-jack game just broke it up and now everything's quiet here in the barracks).
Darling the letter before your last covered a lot of ground — everything from pjs to dirty jokes (of which I haven't heard any good ones lately — have you?). I have all your letters in my locker — (is that good or bad?). I always read them when I get them, again that night, and then half a million more times before I file them away for future reference. Do I like to eat before I go to bed? You aint just a foolin — no onions though. Do I wear pajamas? (for shame) In the army they're taboo — anyone that wears them is a sissy and we sleep in our shorts — but wait'll you see some of the fancy ones I've got at home. (I hope). I ruined my eyes reading in bed, and ruined a bedspread when I was at school 'cause I fell asleep with a cigarette in my hand (Boy did our landlady throw a fit) — but sweetheart when we get married I know damn well I'm not going to do much reading or smoking with such a delovely you beside me. Darling — I love you —
Do I sleep with a pillow? — Pretty dead things — pillows, nope, I never use 'em.
What color night gowns do I like? Darling you be in it and it can be purple with green spots for all of me. Course I say my prayers every night — "Lord, let me get home in a hurry. Amen" — That's about the way they run. Does that cover the questions? Oh no — about that picture — I'm going to have one taken one of these days and I'll surer than heck send you one as soon as I do. Darling I'll have to close for now and hit the hay — Loving you and missing you more than ever I'll say goodnight — See you in my dreams —
I love you,
Louis.