Darling Pug: August 23, 1940

I just got your letter so can mail this to SF instead of home

August 23, 1940

Darling,

I know this letter will arrive before you get home but I miss you so much that I can’t help but write because it helps in a small measure to end the longing. I never realized it would be like this or I don’t think I would have let you leave. Honest Pug my whole life seems to revolve around you and to not be able to see you at night is just unbearable.

Your first letter was so marvelous I read it four times. That week was the closest to heaven I have ever gotten and I will always remember it. Even after you have thrown me over for the blond. (Funny I’m not really worried, maybe I should be but I love you too much for that.)

Darling your trust in me means too much to me that I will keep it always and will never do anything to shake it in any way. Our ideals and ideas are so much alike that I know we shall always be happy together, even after we have celebrated our Golden Anniversary. (Ye gods can’t you just see me that old) no hair and all bent over a cane, and you will probably be out spry as a fish playing with all the youngsters around 40.

I don’t know how I am going to spend these months without you, and once I get to the Coast I think I’ll just stay in your arms and to heck with the fraternity.

The Supreme Council held its first meeting today and I had to sit in on it. Al had to make his report and whenever anybody disagreed he would start to sulk. The way he has got those guys fooled just makes me boil. I sat there and sweated trying to keep myself from hopping up and blowing off about him. The way he holds their hands when he shakes them is too too divine. Someday Pug I’m afraid I’ll let loose. I almost did yesterday. We were at the All-Star banquet and Don and I were by the door when Harry Smith came in. I introduced Don but didn’t call Al over. Well he started to sulk because I didn’t introduce him and after the luncheon he raced down to the car and just sat waiting. All the way back to Evanston he didn’t say one word. I was just waiting for him to say something and if he had I was prepared to let him have it, about how silly it was for a man of his age to act like a child.

I’ve got to get out on the road quick or it’s going to be too bad for someone around there or here. I’ve put up with one thing already but if he continues to sulk I’m going to tell him he had better go back to Kansas and sulk with the cows.

I’m pretty busy now and Sunday I will be very busy with my panels, etc.

Saw Swirles the other night and the first thing he said was congratulations. Smith is also working over time. Frank also asked about Chuck and I told him. He said good, that he never did like Johnston. So Pug I guess we won’t have to worry about it getting around but I did ask him to say nothing of the pin, not for a while anyway. That is if you don’t change your mind and send it back. Please don’t.

Guess what – I love you, that’s just in case I never told you. This letter will sure be a “Blitz” to your ego, but you had better get used to it.

Got a letter from Flood today and he seems to be very pleased about the whole thing. His letter is rather pitiful in spots, however, because he has no inkling of what’s ahead of him. At least she left Seattle without marrying the guy so maybe Flood has a chance anyway. I’ll quote some of his letter but when you see him, don’t tell him I did, because when he hears from B.J., he won’t want anybody to know how he felt. Quote “sounds like you’ve found one to get along with much in the same manner that I get along with B.J. – (another paragraph) Don’t worry about Chuck, time takes care of everything. I’ve seen it work wonders in my case. Take it in stride as they come – time will do the rest. (Still another paragraph) Rite now I’m only interested in one thing – getting in a position to get married.” Sort of sad, isn’t it? Darn it but I hope B.J. changes her mind, but maybe its better for Flood if she doesn’t.

I wrote your Mother and I hope I worded it right. Of course, I didn’t leave out much in how I felt about you, but I just couldn’t help it.

During meeting today I didn’t hear anything said because all I could think about was you. I can’t wait for you and mom to get together and phone Smitty up, he’ll be expecting a call from you.

I didn’t think any gal could do this to me but I guess I just couldn’t resist your pug nose. It goes to good with mine just as does everything else about you. I love you always. I’ll write again Sunday – please write everyday because your letters are the only things that make my day bearable. As always, all my love is yours,

Big Pug

Merry Christmas from the Hastings!

Just a note to say Merry Christmas to all from the Hastings. Enjoy some photos from our holiday celebration - a lovely time was had by all.

And, with the excellent news from Randy and Kate, we can't wait until next year for Baby 'Blueberry' Hastings first Christmas!

Darling Pug: August 20, 1940

Received - Salina, Kansas

Darling Pug:

I don't suppose I will have to tell you how I feel because if you love me like I love you, you will know what it is like. My real self has just stopped existing and my heart is with my pug nose dream someplace in Kansas. If I had of known it would have been this bad the first night I would have made you stay until Friday. Darling I'm just living in your memory and all I can think of is the cute little things you would do that would make my heart skip and lift me high in the skies. If I can feel like this when I'm so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open, what will it be like when I'm conscious again?

I just got through writing Mom and Dad a ten page letter this size paper. I have explained my love for you and I want them to get in touch with you as soon as possible. I can't wait for them to meet you. I told them about Chuck and how I didn't take you out when I first wanted to because of him. I told them about your trip and about the pin. I said you wouldn't wear it until you thought it was right (guess what I'm playing - M of Y). Also told them I had written Barb. The rest is up to you "Frecks" but I'm not worried.

Also wrote Kress and explained the deal. Told him you would be up and give him the ten bucks. Say, I forgot to give you more money, didn't I? It really was unintentional, I thought I could use the excitement as an excuse. I only have a ten so will you get it changed and send me the rest back right away. Have to have Zombie money you know. Found a girl that can drink 5 of them and it sort of keeps me low on funds. It's worth it though - wow!

Got a letter from Reynolds Smith and he wants to hear from you when you get home - go out with him some night. I'll tell him to take you out in the near future. I have to look after my "Pug". But don't let him drive fast, he's not any too good, and you had better not let him buy you a Zombie because although I trust him I remember that glint in your eye in the B.C. (don't mean it.)

Tobiee phoned him up and wanted to know all about you and me. That Tragerman guy must be working over time.  You won't have to worry about it getting around before you can put on the pin. Probably when you get off the train a perfect stranger will run up and say "have you heard about Alman and Hastings? Yes, it's true, she went back there and he's told off Bartlett, and now were just waiting for Chuck to get off the boat. It's just like something you read about." Oh well, cheer up butch, the worst is yet to come.

Smitty's phone is Wy2788.

I've got toothpicks holding my eyes open now. It's 20 minutes to 10. It took met two hours to write my letter home. How are the bags - whoops pardon me, I mean the relatives. It must be nice and restful after getting away from that Hastings guy. Don't see how you could take these late hours every night. It's hard to keep up with him because he can get along on three hours sleep a night and look just as fresh as a daisy the next day (a plenty dead daisy dear.)

Well I suppose I should close this so I can get it in the box by ten. But darling my song really is "I'll never smile again" because although I might smile around here for the boys and Al, it won't be the smile of happiness and contentment because I will really only smile that way again when I see you, and then I will feel like beaming all over.

Remember I love you always and I will have a nice long letter waiting for you at home. If there i any other place I can reach you before you get there send it to me.

Always yours,

1/2 Pug, Inc.

P.S. Al just gave me two, so I don't send ten.

P.S. P.S. I love you