March 24, 1947

Wednesday

Dear Doc,

Now that we are among the "minus tonsils club" I hope you are feeling alright and have gotten over the serious operation.  Oh, what I wouldn't do to use my technique on you.  You'd have no ill effects whatsoever. I guarantee recovery.  But of course, any good nurse does, and I'm sure "Honey" will take good care of you.  I hope you are wearing your snuggles because you must caution against relapse.  They are really just what you needed.  Tell me, did they fit?  Oh, I hope they did - you didn't say both Jo and I are worried they may be too large.  Enlighten us please.

Lets see, I shall try answering some of your questions: Doctor Pyterek is still in San Antonio.  You know he is out of the Army.  (Thank God)  He is doing wonderfully well.  That is not hard to understand.  Has begun construction on the clinic he is going to open out in the Woodlawn section.  You know, the section near Thomas Jefferson High.  He is one fine person, my ideal in men.  It has been quite some time since I have sen him.  I really miss his fine wonderful talks we use to have along with the many good times.  An unfortunate thing happened to Pam recently.  She was burned someway or another but is doing fine now.  I really don't know the details as Eric was too upset to elaborate.  Skeeter is still the wild little boy he always was.  Remember the time we fed him beer?  My, were we brilliant.

As for John, I can't ever remember telling you about the incident of reading the paper in church.  I'd prefer forgetting it.  He is no longer in the family and everyone is better cause of it.  God bless him wherever he is, guess he must be married to some German lass.  His was a case of being too intelligent, can you understand that?  If you don't mind I won't go into it.  Best it be forgot.

Right now I could give a very vague report on human activity cycles.  I shall look into the subject and report to you Dr. Rounds.

You asked me what I do - Well my social life is nil except for a few dinner engagements - Attending lectures, church, reading that is about all.  Oh yes, Do you remember Dic Durham?  He was up a Bandera - the mad pilot, who strafed the ranch - well through much effort he finally got in contact with us and was down last week-end.  He is attending the U. of Minnesota.  Sends you his best as he remembered you.  The three of us went out for a fine time - Time passes so quickly one really has to ration one's time which I see is not done by you.  As long as you are kept busy that is the important thing.  One never has enough time to do everything. My what a dull life it would be.

I've been doing a great deal of reading - just finished "Wasteland" Jo Sinclair.  It is a fine book.  Think you would enjoy it.  Also "Peace of Mind" which seems will take forever to comprehend - It is one book everyone should read.  Stimulation.  One learns how important religion is for happy living. Bet you've read "The Last Puritan" by Santayan (the spelling may be incorrect excuse please)  So you see, I've been quite busy.

As for the summer, Don't think I'll be here longer than June 5th - Really have no plans after that except to roam around the country on bikes and feet - Leading a rugged life - 

Tell me, Doc, oh, never mind.  I was going to start an argument but I guess I won't disrupt this peaceful mood I am in.

The family is going to San Antonio for the "Fiesta" in April.  I am tempted to go along but I guess I won't.  I've had my fill of the town- Seeing the Doctor would be the only inducement.

I really don't know how you tolerate these letters but we all must suffer - 

Oh, good news, tomorrow Jo and I have decided to quiet a screaming family by having our portraits taken - Should be most amusing.  You have a surprise in store Mr. Rounds - We shall add you to our list - OK?

Best of luck with the operation!  Must close - time for church - Jo sends her love - 

My Best,

Anne

Write soon - your letters are not as much a bore as you think!

March 15, 1947

March 15

Dear Doc,

I'm answering your very nice letter with this short note also to tell you that very soon I shall write you a long, long letter, as I have a lot to tell you.

Enclose find the pair of snuggles you ordered so very long ago.  Jo and I have worked hard trying to figure out your size as you remember you neglected giving us such vital information. Anyway, I hope they fit and shall be waiting for the picture of yours truly in "said pants."

As you mentioned it would indeed be an honor making each member of the crew a pair.  They certainly need something like them to spur them on and on.  We would be more than delighted to oblige. Nuff said - Hope they fit!

Thank you for the very nice letter.  It was good hearing from you after such a long time.  Also the picture, you really don't think I will send it back, do you? Now really, Doc, you know me better than that.  I'll be good though, and send you one soon.  The nurses have taken some.  Please don't be shocked, after all, I don't want you suffering with a nervous breakdown.

Have you ever heard Strauss' Suite Der Rosenkavalier.  I'm sure you must have heard it.  I know you'd love it.  I do - not that that makes any difference.  It's mighty good.

You asked several questions.  What am I going to do this summer etc.  I shall go into detail later -

Frankly, it wouldn't take a great deal of pressure to get me to Boston, Mass. Later I am anxious to get these snuggles off to you for your debut. Good luck - of course I shall cheer you on - I'll be on the other side.  See you when you get there - Sounds odd but I hope you understand what I am trying to say.

Must go to dinner - 

My Best,

Anne

October 9, 1946

October 9

Dear Doc,

I hope I am capable of conveying to you what I want to say to you by means of a letter.  It probably will be most inefficient.  It seems so difficult to explain when it really need not be an explanation at all!  I believe, Doc, you have formed some very definite ideas and conclusions about me which are entirely wrong and unjustifiable.  This I surmised from your letter to Jo.  Whatever happened to us I do not know.  I guess we need not go into the subject further.  However, I would be interested in knowing what you meant by the "unsurmountable obstacle".  I didn't know we were faced by any obstacles.

Our times together have been the most completely pleasant times I have known.  Everything we did together was fun.  I have not known such continual pleasure since.  They are not easy to forget and truthfully I do not want to.  It isn't natural for one to want to forget the good and that which one enjoys or has enjoyed.  we have done many wonderful things together.  Many which I shall remember always as it is impossible to think of San Antonio and not think of you.

This, Doc, is not an appeal to your sentiments.  I want to tell you I am sorry.  I realize now that unmindfully, unwillingly, unknowingly I have hurt you.  Something I never want to consider myself guilty of - ever hurting anyone - as I know what it is to be hurt.  A most unpleasant experience.  People are so selfish, so self centered.  They really don't give a care about anyone except themselves. I have become very cynical.

I was very happy to hear you are having such a wonderful time in school.  Also that you were going.  Generally speaking, people waste so much time not ever making time out to appreciate the day.

You may be interested - in the past events of the past year.  Good heavens, does it seem possible?  It is really a year since S.A.?  It seems like just months ago.  Anyway, Jo and I had a most pleasant summer.  We counseled at one of the girls camps in Northern Wisconsin.  Was a great life.  Plenty of sleep, fresh air, good food, and no intoxicating beverages which is just what one needs after living in S.A. any length of time.  Agree?

Oh yes, I also had my tonsils removed.  Remember the day Jo had hers removed?  Anyway, mine gave me a rather bad time and it was quite some time before I recovered.  However, I must say I enjoyed breakfasts in bed- Jo is a wonderful nurse!  In fact I have employed her for a lifetime.  She is convinced now - (that is upon your suggestion) that I need her.  The latter part of your suggestion may be rather "far-fetched"  It is going to be quite some time before I settle down - if that is what one calls it and apparently it is.  That is all too easy, settling down I mean.

I hope you are not bored, Doc.  You are the one person I want to write long letter to.  Alright so I haven't proved myself - I haven't the slightest idea what your reaction will be upon receiving this.  I hope favorable.  I sincerely and honestly do not want you to feel bitter toward me.  I value what we have had and want very much for us to be friends.  Is that asking a great deal?  Doc, I'm not trying to rekindle an old flame - as the trite saying goes - I can understand how you feel and how you felt after I stopped writing.  How was I to know, Doc?

By the way, "There is something about a soldier"  I still have the music box -

We received a letter from Bill, however not a word about his approaching marriage.  He sent the "shot" he took that day in N.M. - yee gads, what a fright.  Also sent one of you and one of himself, very nice.  Just what we needed for our album - great addition.  Perhaps he will favor us with a wedding announcement.  I doubt it.

I must close - I shall bore you no longer.  Please try to understand what I so poorly have tried to say to you.

Recently I have read something I think you would enjoy - I conveys a great thought.  It is Willa Cather's - Two Friends - It is a short story - really worth anyone's time.

As ever,

Anne Roberts

Speaking of recent readings - I am now reading Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.  It is wonderful - I think you would enjoy it very much - With me it ranks next to Wolfe - For a book - I consider that quite a rating among the Robert's repertoire.

November 10, 1945

Brooks Field

Nov. 10, 1945

Dear Mother:

Here I am basking in Texas and it isn't all it is cracked up to be.  I got back last night at 7:00 PM with lots of time to spare.  The train ran on schedule all the way from St. Louis.  We got into S.L. 1:15 late but still had 4 hours to spend.

I came all the way with a 1st Lt. named Flaherty from Boston.  He was coming to Ft. Sam Houston to redistribution and rehabilitation.  He had been a victim of concussions over in the Islands.  We did a lot of talking and had a lot of fun together.  He had 104 points and was in for 6 mos or more because of his injury and I am about to get out.  Which brings up the all important subject.

It seems the army wants you to be either in or out.  They don't want anyone in for 6 mos. as I wish but must reenlist for 3 years in the regular Army.  So- that means I will be home for Christmas this year.  Bill Ayers is going home next week to separation and I have to sign up for separation Monday.  Of course I shan't wave my discharge for 3 yrs but will get out immediately.  So you can start looking for good looking civilian clothes and colleges.

It has been a bad day today.  It rained all morning.  I had to run around a little but I had lots of warm clothes and my rain coat was handy.  I have a date tonight with Anne which will be a lot of fun I am sure.

If you can't read this letter it is just because we have to write on the bed for lack of a table.  I can hardly read what I write so you must be having a lot of fun.  I guess you have had a lot of experience reading bad writing.

Everyone was glad to see me back, at least they seemed that way.  Bill and I had a lot to talk over and he kept me awake most of the night and I haven't slept all day.  I lost my pillow somewhere so I have nothing for my head.  The bed is awful hard after mine at home, army life is rather rough.

Now my only problem is, what to do when I get home.  I have little desire to work or to go to school right away.  I also hate to spend all my money and have no income so coming home will be as hard as going away.  I think I would like to get a good hard job which might do me a little good physically or get a job flying or something.  You can't have both but you can see how little I know about what I want to do.  So you had better start reading all those stories on how to treat your returning soldier because I will be out and on my way before you can guess.  Maybe this time I will really surprise you when I walk in.

I was kind of upset to leave last Wed. but I guess I didn't look too disappointed.  It is rather hard to leave after you have had so much fun.  I think I had more fun on this leave than on any before and seeing it is the last I am glad it was so.  I guess we split the time up about right and I spent the right time in the right places.

Well I must go eat and then run.  You know I can't be late.

With love

Austin

"Doc"