February 25, 1947

Forest Park Avenue         Valparaiso, Indiana

Friday

Dear Austin,

Yes, I know it really is about time I answered your letter.  Forgive me, I hadn't realized a week has gone by.  Someone has to set an example for the two of us and it may as well be me, that is in letter writing - just in case you were wondering.

I am spending a week with my sister, who incidentally is going to have a baby in March, while Carl is in Cincinnati.  So, this is a fine opportunity for some letter writing - You shall be my victim.  I hope you have no objections.  You may voice them - if so.

By the way, are you enjoying the snow?  I'm getting somewhat a sadistic pleasure out of learning of the blizzard in the East.  "Being a lover of beauty" - I shall say no more.  You may take phatar to your hearts delight that is after you've shoveled and dug yourself out.  Well, here is wishing you great funN!!  I love it.  Gosh, I enjoy the lonely winter nights we have been having.  It has been perfectly wonderful. (Which I don't consider on iota trite)  Have you done any skiing?  I hope you have.  It is one of my favorite sports, however being in San Antonio didn't help - My skiing that is.  Silly I should mention San Antonio - I'll never regret the time spent there.  I'd have never met you.

Speaking of regretting - that is - Sorry I was interrupted and I can't for the life of me think what I was going to say, later perhaps.

Thanks for the picture of Bill.  I have instructed Jo to send it back to you however if she is too engrossed in her knitting I shall when I get back.  Frankly, I wish you hadn't.  Is it possible for a person to change so much in year?  Need I ask?  Tell me, what has happened to Bill?  Why so laxed? Now this is trite.  He looks rough.  It can't be married life!  He just doesn't care.  Really this may sound cruel but Bill is in a rut.  But I shan't go on.  I have fine memories, and fine pictures of Bill in my mind and I guess I won't foul  reality and his present state - My advice to him is the Du Barry Success Course pronto!!  I wonder if I have changed as much as he- suppose so, but people really don't change.  I keep telling myself - when I know perfectly well - Tell me, do I sound confused?  Sometimes I wonder.

This is Saturday afternoon and we are listening to Carmen.  It is a find thing.  Rise Stevens, Carmen is the only opera I have developed a taste for.  I became too sad and melancholic with Wagner who I consider the best.  I'll listen to the prelude and orchestrations but not the vocal.  One must develop taste for opera as fun scotch, astern and married life - I don't know what brought that later on but anyway Carmen is very good.

Michael, my nephew keeps interrupting me but I really don't mind.  He is a lot of fun - you really would  love him.  He calls me Annie.  this morning we were out playing in the snow - oh what fun - it is good to unlax for a change - By unless I mean relax to the extent.

It is Saturday evening and I am full of Martinis - which is a most pleasant state - My sister insists on playing the perfect hostess, which she is, by my having cocktails before dinner - I think it would be wonderful fun having a home - and of course husband. This is the first time in a long time I have thought seriously of marriage.  I always do though when I visit the Stevens' family.  Theirs is so perfect.  Must be the Martini or perhaps I'm growing old.  How rare!  I have said enough already- I shall say no more.

My, Doc, what a treat you must be in a tuxedo.  Lucky, lucky girl.  Tell me more, that is beside being late to all engagements, No don't, if you don't care to.

I'm glad you are living at home.  Fraternity house life was never very inducive to duty in my estimation - But, I'm really not an authority on fraternity house life - Ahem!

I wish I could remember your last letter - Did you ask me anything.  Guess not, I would have remembered.

For your sake, I shall give Jo a bit of peace while she is knitting your _______  "What you might call'ems!"  I do hope they are finished before you make your debut.

This is Monday and I must get this off to you!  I'm having a fine time and regret Friday is so near.  That is when I am leaving - returning to Milwaukee - You may write me there - soon please!

My best -
Anne

February 3, 1947

Sunday

Dear Doc, 

Really, Mr. Rounds, I can't understand why I am so liberal with my correspondence to you. But, of course, you too wondered the same thing.  It interests me, Doc, you said, I know why I write you but I can't figure out why you write me.  Now is it so complicated?  Frankly, Doc, I've given it great thought, serious thought.  But tell me, why did you ask?  Can't you be satisfied with a good thing while you have it without wondering whence it came, and how long it will be?  I can and I do.  Cynic speaking.

Why do you call me cynic?  Of course, you are not the first, I think most people misunderstand me.  I don't mean to be cynical.  It is just my personality.  Enough about that but getting back to the original subject of the day.  Just why do you write me?  Doc, feel free to speak your mind.  You have the floor, Mr. Rounds, so take it from there.

Oh yes, thank for the photo.  "Honey" is a darling.  No further comment.  I shall oblige by consulting my agent before passing any out.  After all, one must take all precaution against publicity in the "line" of work, thought "  " would arouse some comments.

I shan't expect prompt response as you warned. But tell me, Doc, have you ever been prompt?  Ahem!

Today I am most fortunate I have a Sunday off.  Therefore, I don't have to drag myself out of bed at five to get to church, which was done anyway, as Jo would give me no peace so I have until 1:30 to kill.  Which I shall do on you.  I don't know what happened!!!!

Friday

Dear Doc, So I continue four days later with years of experience and fun the last days.

First, I must tell you about Miss Tillbey, better known as Laura, one of the nurses.  Doc, you would love her.  She is one of the finest people I have ever met.  She is one of the "big" people of the world.  She's done all the wonderful things in life - In fact, she is perfect.  She is much older, just in years, tho, she is as young in spirit as we.  She can walk along and throw rocks at trees, and also sit with Mrs. Astor and still be her own wonderful self.  She always does the right thing.  I wish you could meet her.  Have you ever been with a person with whom you felt at the highest level you could reach. By highest level, I mean mentally - the height, well that's the way I feel with Laura, and it is a pretty wonderful, satisfying feeling.  Rarely found, I would say, as it has happened few times to me.  It never would be possible to describe Laura, She's too deep - but believe me when I say she is wonderful - Well on, with the day.

I am sure you must have read about the terrific blizzard we have been having.  Guess Milwaukee has had it all -   Wednesday evening feeling brave and full of adventure Jo, Laura and I decided we wanted a steak - an elegant steak - So in the blizzard we made our way into Milwaukee on which was the last trolly of the evening.  Gosh, what a storm - Oh, but we had fun - We got downtown, it was snowing, raining, blowing and everything else but our spirits were high.  We went to the Schroeder Hotel had martinis and a perfectly beautiful dinner, thinking nothing of the weather, or how we were going to get back.  Well, we went out, Jo taking several falls ripping the knees out of her nylons.  She tried to tell us she wasn't praying to "Al La" but we knew differently - go on Anne - So we struggled to Wells where we were to catch our car.  The darn trollies were stalled - six of them - lined up as though they would be there forever - and they still are standing in the same spot - It is forty-eight hours now, anyway.  We were told the cars wouldn't be leaving until eight the next morning.  So, we trudged on back to the hotel.  Fortunately, Laura knows the manager so we got a room - probably the last one - It was like New Year's Eve - People were everywhere - Guess we all resorted ourselves to the facts and we were stuck, Really stuck, but fun.  I shall never forget it.  Anyway we spent a happy night and come the morn were at the trolley station at eight, snow banks ten feet high - NO exaggeration either - We plunks ourselves in one of the cars waiting for action.  The people were wonderful - never in my life have I ever seen people all at the same "level" level, so to speak, I loath the expression - anyway we all were in the same fix.  Some had been sitting in the car since eight the night before.  So you can imagine, I trust and hope you are using your imagination as I'm doing a bad job of this.  We all had fun - everyone inviting each other for coffee - Coffee is still coming out of my ears - Came eleven o'clock and still no progress.  Progress, tell no effort was made so we consulted each other and the three of us decided to walk - walk, I said son, home which is seven miles.  You understand there were no cabs, buses, no transportation of any kind (I'm not a poor country girl either, you've heard the old saying) So we walked home, all there was, was a little path tramped through the Main Street - so we struggled but finally got home, among laughter, falls, etc -   Everyone was desperately worried and were quite surprised to see the three snow women return - Admiral Byrd has nothing on us - I'm planning on going along on his next expedition.  We got home and had hot bathes, bacon and eggs and plenty of rest, which we needed.  It was a wonderful experience and Laura was a perfect person to be with.  I'd do it tonight again - 

The situation was quite bad.  Guess you must have read all about it.  Must have been the worst storm in 25 years - worst storm in Milwaukee was the latest report.  The roads still are not cleared and there is little transportation.  We probably still would be sitting in the Wells car if we hadn't started out walking.

Lets see we shall get off the subject of the storm - 

It was good getting your letter - Was a nice letter, Doc, yes indeed we must extend credit where it is due.  Have you ever thought how rarely that is done?  People are so afraid to pass out good words for one another.  Even in our work, Nurses, are so afraid to say good things about another.  They look with envy when patients are generous, more generous toward some nurses - But I won't go into that - Live and let live - Give out goodness continuously and you'll find only goodness can be taken in.

I realize you are busy Doc, much as I like getting your letters don't neglect your studies - I understand - 

My best,

Anne

Enclose a photo of Colonial Hall

Doc, This is Colonial Hall in the summer time.  Beautiful, isn't it?  The other buildings are as lovely.  Wish you could see it.  There is no reason why you can't - Anne

Best I can do right now in regards to photos.