August 9, 1927, Rockville Center, New York, to El Paso

(A cloud break got this before I could get inside.) You won't have to buy a cross word puzzle this week - just try to figure this out. 2 Cobane Terrace West Orange, N.J. [3 x's are written across this address] Dear Helen : “Everything is easy now ” if you look at it in the right light. I've been swinging an anchor half a day and shoveling what I get loose the other half. If thats ' rosy ' let me know. I'm doing it until something I like better turns up and then I'll show my faith in this company. Why for you save that woman if she's your neighbor? Why for you give me so many careers? Huh? Now its awfully sweet of you etc., etc. but carrot's (or whatever it is) don't turn into watches nowa days. I don't believe you're in your dotage atall. Because such people (you know yourself) quiver, tremble and reel at every step and you have only a creak in your back. So cheer up, old girl, you'll probably live to catch many a piece of chalk in the eye from these here wise-acre El Paso High School pupils. (Phew!) Really tho this will be the first time I will ever be able to say that I really think I understand a High School teacher. So this embryo must be getting somewhere even if it is only older. And there's not a great deal of satisfaction in that if you consider that even that is the work of another who has been fuding you most of the time since you can remember. However, we're here because we're here. Further more don't “old dear” me or I'll dent your shoe tips with your head the next time I see you. Now I ask you is that nice? Especially where your tree has half a ring more in it than mine. Now to tickle the sensitive spot some more, we aren't roasting a bit up here in fact I've shivered and caught cold with two blankets over me. Following your reading list I have proceeded to read lots of books that weren't on it. Right now, “The Last Days of Pompiie.” I always stayed clear of this but it really is pretty good – you know rather a charming book. I've had about my fill of the “Musica Comedies ” and I've had every kind of a seat from the best (I didn't pay for it ) to the bleachers in 7th Heaven which seem to belong to the next town. I heard a pretty good summary of “Saturday's Children” the other day. “Two hearts that beat as one “ incomes “ ”none” Not bad, eh! I'm giving you all this because I feel assured that “Demolay “ probably fixed you so that you'd grin and bear it. That is if they dance like many I know. (If you go to enough of them I may venture to ask for a dance some time.) Any way I know you wouldn't retreat even tho you lost your skirt – or is it so hot that you would. Now the rain seems to be getting the better of this so I'll stop. Thank the Good Lord or Pluoires for this. But I'm really not very good at the newsy sort of a letter and there aint no news any way and I can't horse along for any length. The answer I expect for this letter is “ Strike me pink, but I think you're trying to cajole me. ” Now see if you can surprise me and think of a different one. Despite all evidence to the contrary you're the same old Helen and I am still, Ted P.S. Send that picture before when I or it rot.