Mar. 24/1936
"Jane's" 12.20 P.M.
Dearest darling "Honey chile" :-
Rec'd two letters from you yesterday at Marge's. One that Aunt Jane had forwarded to me. I was so anxious to hear from you and so pleased to know you were alright. Thank you so much for the very generous check. Did you save some for yourself?
I got up and left with Anthony yesterday morning. Saw Paul Moulton the first thing and there went to Insurance Office with your policies. There is always so much red tape, and it seems so unnecessary, but there, I should'nt find fault. If people would be more explicit it would save time. Now I'll have to wait a wk or 10 days for those papers to come back, before the bank will sell A.T. & T. In the meantime am going to get my figures all ready for the accounting and do the things that have to be done here.
The dentist is all thru with me, and my mouth feels better every day. It does take time to get used to all the excess baggage.
I took Marge to see "Little Lord Fauntleroy" with Freddie Bartholemew. [sic] It was lovely. Don't miss it. Don't you go to any pictures now? You must have some recreation you know.
Marge was so nice to me. Really hated to see me go and said she would miss me a lot. Its [sic] nice to have people say that after you have stayed with them so long.
Well the waters have subsided, but there has been a lot of excitement here in Owego. Jane & Ez. stayed all night with Mrs Cusick as she was so nervous for two nights. The new Owego high school was so damaged ($10,000) that the building is unsafe & H.S. students will have to go part time to Central School. That is one good talking point for Paige St. No water, there in cellar. Jane has 8 inches in her's [sic] from the hill.
No, I am not disappointed in you one bit, darling. You will come into your own in due time. It's always a fight where ever you work if you want to get places, is'nt it? I always felt Miss Ryan was perhaps a bit envious of your ability. Well you will have "Chris" to fall back on, if you ever need any moral support, and I would never hesitate to use that influence. Do you ever write him now?
Of course I am always on your shoulder and shall stick on just as long as you will have me dearie. I tho't about you so much when Miss Tankard passed on for I know my little girl, and how those things affect her. I did so want to be with you. If I felt that the position was mine, or should be, would'nt let Miss Ryan get away with anything. Of course, you have'nt been there long, and perhaps you had better go slowly.
By the way, I never did get to Owego to play, due to flood. So lost $15.00 worth of work. Am I a jinx? I was so disgusted.
Yes, I think our furniture is O.K. Its [sic] on the 4th floor. No worry there.
Don't let Miss Ryan irk you. Be just as important as she is. You are. In fact you are just the smartest, kindest, bestest, person in this world, and just snap your fingers at old lady Ryan. What care we for her.
No, I eat everything, even peanuts. Ha! Ha! But they hurt my gums a bit. Jane has her teeth, but likes mine much better.
No, Anthony never got a raise. He never asks for any and is satisfied evidently.
Wish I could tell you definitely when I will be with you, but can't on acc't of estate. Will make it as snappy as I can, you can just bet, and I will keep you informed as to the progress I am making.
Uncle Will phoned Jane Sun. night, and wants me to be sure & come to Buffalo before I leave for N.Y. I don't want to go, because I have'nt any clothes and don't want to buy them here. Perhaps I will have to.
I love you billions and send you trillions of kisses. Don't worry darling. We will soon be to-gether.
Your darling
Muddikins
May send a package of excess baggage this wk. am getting so weary -
Jane sends love.
Image is larger than the scanner. Text under photo: "Airview of Endicott, from plane flying over Vestal, Friday, showing the Vestal-Endicott bridge over the Susquehanna River and a portion of Endicott, almost completely inundated. Twenty-four thousand employes [sic] of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company [and] International Business Machines Corporation were unable to report for work because of the floods. The factories were expected to open Monday. Airview by C. S. Robinson, of Ithaca." Inscription near the bridge: "New bridge over Vestal we cross, member?" (The bridge was built in 1935.)