A Convention of "The Boys"

Pencil sketch of a bird
by Art Price.

Tuesday, February 7, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

Well we had a busy day at Roulston’s today.  I didn’t get there till 9 A.M.  My boss Rod went to lunch from 1 to 2 and then from 3:30 to 5:30 he went with Bruno to the clinic to get the stitches taken out.  They had to wait for the doctor, I guess.  The store looked like a convention from 5:30 to 6.  Bruno, Joe, “Singer,” Farmer (minus appendix), Jack Raynor and I were beside the box, and Rod stood around and talked, mostly kidding Bruno.  Do you remember Jack Raynor?  You met him late one night but you might not remember him.  He was formerly one of the boys (married now).

I didn’t do much of anything this evening.  I read a little, but am having trouble keeping my eyes open.  I guess I’ll go to bed early.  I hope you won’t be lonesome riding the subways alone.  I know you won’t go out at night alone though.

Is Shirl feeling better?  Remember me to her.  If she decides to go home next weekend, don’t be “embarrassed” to tell me.

Don’t forget to write me now.  I miss you very much.  I love you, darling.  Be good and take care of yourself.

Love

Art

(Tomorrow – more homework for Partida.)

© 2011 Lee Price

The Pretzel Spill

Monday, February 6, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

I’m so tired.  In fact after supper, I lay down on the bed.  Shirl told me not to go to sleep and I laughed at her for being silly.  Next thing I knew it was 8:00 – an unexpected nap!

Ink blots on a letter.

Shirl and I are eating pretzels as we work now.  I just filled this pen and, as usual, got ink all over it.  Not having a blotter, Shirl told me to wipe the pen on the couch.  Of course, I refused, saying, “No, I’m going to be neat about this.”  With that, I grabbed the nearest paper bag and wiped the pen on that.  It would have been fine but that was the bag the pretzels were in and they all fell out on the floor.  I guess Shirl had the last laugh this time.

Now Shirl and I are sitting here discussing the coming weekend.  Unexpected complications have arisen.  It seems we have Monday off because of Lincoln’s Birthday.  We can’t decide what to do with our three-day weekend.  I’ll try to give you more information tomorrow.  Don’t get up any hopes though.  It looks as if we may remain here.  Do you have Monday off?

Shirl just picked up the pretzels.

We’ve changed our minds again.  I think.  Now we’re going home again.

Yes, my dear, Shirl has definitely made up her mind, so I’ll be seeing you.  You’ll probably think I’m non-dependable, rattle-brained, and never believe me again.  But I’m coming home – love me any way?  I do you.

I just reread this letter and have come to the conclusion I should have gone to bed after “Dear Art.”  I hope they’re not all as bad as this.

Be good now and good night.

All my love,

June

(Tomorrow – a convention of "the boys.")

© 2011 Lee Price

The Weekend Agreement

June Anderson, circa 1950.

While the June and Art letters only obliquely refer to the situation, it gradually emerges that June and her roommate Shirley Stahl have an agreement regarding weekends.  Neither wants to be alone in the city apartment during a weekend.  If June decides to go home to see Art (or for any other reason), Shirl must go home, too.  And if Shirl stays in the city, June must stay.

It’s unclear if their main concern is safety or loneliness.  The letters raise both issues.  Also, various letters suggest that there is pressure from June’s parents, Shirl’s parents, and Art to keep to the agreement and not spend time alone in the city apartment.

The weekend negotiations often simmer in the background of the letters.  During this weekend, 61 years ago, Shirl announced that she had to go home for a weekend doctor’s appointment and this decision forced June to change her plans.  As June wrote on February 1, “I really don’t have much choice but to come home.”

While June obviously likes the idea of seeing Art as often as possible, there is frustration for her as well as she struggles to get back into the rhythm of work at her last semester at Traphagen School of Fashion.

(On Monday, leaky pens and pretzel spills.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Call Southampton 951



Landscape with fence,
oil painting by Art Price.



Thursday, February 2, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dearest June,

People are still talking about Bruno.  His sister says that he didn’t regain consciousness till 8:00 in the morning.  Apparently, it was even more serious than we thought at first.

I had a busy day in the store today with only two of us working.  Joe is filling in for Bruno and may continue working through the weekend.  It looks like I won’t get any more time off this week.

My folks went to a supper at the Hampton Bays church with our minister and his family.  I stayed home tonight and ate my supper alone.

I miss you very much.  Remember me to everybody.  Don’t be too lonesome when you have to ride the subway alone and always be careful.  You know I love you.  Good night, sweetheart,

Love,

Art

P.S.  I forgot to tell you – if you should be coming home this weekend, I’m going to a men’s supper at the church Friday night at 6:30.  If you call up and don’t get an answer, you can try my mother at Southampton 951.

Lots of love,

Art

(On Saturday, roommates and weekends.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Bruno With Stitches

Wednesday, February 1, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dear June,

I received your Monday letter today.  It’s almost as good as having you here, but not quite.

Bruno Marcincuk.

Well, I saw Bruno today.  He looks pretty bad.  Face swollen, bandages above and below one eye with the lids all swollen and black and blue.  He’s really a sight.  He’s got seven stitches below his eye, five above it, and a few more on his head.  Otherwise he says he’s fine.  Joe is filling in for Bruno at the store now.

With Joe working, I get my half day off tomorrow.  But I have to go to the dentist again so won’t be able to sleep late.

I’m glad to hear you took it easy Monday and got some sleep.  Your Life teacher must have thought
you looked pretty bad.  You look awfully good to me though, sweetheart.

“Farmer” is in the hospital with appendicitis.  You know all about that type of problem!

I guess I won’t be going out with the boys this weekend.  Bruno’s out of circulation, Joe’s working, Farmer’s in the hospital, and Frank Hoffman’s in New York City.

I went to my art class tonight.  Partida’s new assistant is still teaching.  I seem to learn more from him than I do from Partida.  I didn’t come home from there till 10:30.  (I just did some counting.  Eight more evenings ahead of me before I see you again.  I hope I’ll last that long!)

I love you.  Take care of yourself.

Love

Art

(Tomorrow – More reports on Bruno.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Shirl's Dream

Quick sketches by June Anderson.

Wednesday, February 1, 1950

46 West 83rd Street, Apt. 7B

New York City, NY

Dear Art,

You won’t get sick of seeing me if I come home this Friday, will you?  I’m certainly not giving you any time to save money between our dates.  Anyway, the main reason why I’m coming home is that Shirl needs to go home to see a doctor – so I really don’t have much choice but to come home.

I was real proud of myself today – I showed will power.  Shirl stayed in bed all day, but I went to school – why, I even stayed after for Quick Sketch!  Now I’m staying up late doing homework, getting something done but doing it lackadaisically.

Shirl dreamed about us last night.  Maybe I shouldn’t tell you what she dreamed.

How is everything around town now?  Calmed down some?  Bruno still recovering?

Be careful now.  I don’t want anything to happen to the man I love.

All my love,

June

(This afternoon – Art visits Bruno.)

© 2011 Lee Price

Everyone's Talking About Bruno's Accident

Tuesday, January 31, 1950

20 Cooper Street

Southampton, NY

Dearest June:

Art Price.

I’ve spent all yesterday and today telling people about Bruno’s car accident.  Everybody’s heard something and they figure I’ll know all about it.

Yesterday, Bruno called the store in the morning to say he wouldn’t be in.  Then in the afternoon he called again after he went to the doctor.  Now he doesn’t think he’ll be to work for a week to ten days.  He’s got six stitches under one eye and four over it.  He’s feeling pretty bad, stiff and sore all over, I guess.

Of course, we’re short on help at Roulston's without Bruno.  Besides that, Rod (my boss) is sick with a cold.  He was working today but didn’t feel good.  And on top of that, I went to the dentist and had a tooth pulled so I could hardly talk all morning.  You can see the store was in pretty bad shape!  Rod may ask Joe Cerullo to fill in for Bruno.

That’s enough about Bruno and work.  You know I love you very much and think about you all the day.  Two whole weeks without you.  I hope I’ll last that long.

Lots of love,

Art

(Tomorrow – Shirl dreams about Art.)

© 2011 Lee Price