24 July 1941 – Queens, New York

Dearest Marion,

Well darling it being I won’t see you tonight.  I’ll tell you now that I love you.  I don’t think I’ll see you tomorrow night either because I have a date with Jimmy and George (Van Wicklen).

It[‘s] hard to think of something to write it’s so early in the morning. (6:45).  As Steil would put it “Dis is de foist time I ever arn out of words.” How’s this:

I like you more and more each day,

Even if you don’t go away

Because when your home we can play

Which will make very gay.

End

I know it’s lousey but you don’t have to tell me.

If you love me think of me, if you don’t well…

By the way, find your handkerchief enclosed. Well I have to stop scribbling now or else I’ll be late.  I didn’t say much, but it’s to[o] early to think.

Love,

Larry

P.S. If that half-pint sister of yours reads this tell her to soak her head in a bucket of water. LR

P.P.S. If you have a chance write a short not to me, seal it and give it to Artie or Jim or somebody. LR

[A bunch of X’s spelled out “MT” with a note that they were “kisses”]

8 July 1941 – Queens, New York

Dearest Marion,

I was very unhappy when I found out you hadn’t come home.  As yet I haven’t your note, as Ethel can’t find it.  But she told me what it said.  I’m sorry the note I left for you wasn’t what I wanted it to be, but I wasn’t in the mood.

George is going out to visit Terry a week from Sunday.  He’s going by train.  Jimmy got a new car, a forty-one Chevie.  Artie Molter got a thirty-seven Plymouth.

Outside of work, heat and rain there isn’t much doing. Ethel tells me you are lonely out there, but I don’t see why you should be with Frankenstein and Dracula; I mean Phil and Bert.  Bill Rodgers, Red and myself played at the Elks Club in Rockaway Point last Thursday.  What a hectic night, without George.

Well dear, I really missed you and I still do since you’ve been away.  If you think of me half as much as I think o fyou, you must be thinking of me pretty often.  By the way do you want to go to Indian Point on the boat ride Aug. 3? My place is having an outing and the fellows can bring the wives, girlfriends or kinds. If we want to go we will have a swell time.

How is Dotty and your Aunt and Uncle?  I hope they are well. I was talking to your father tonight and he said Lucky has fleas from teh two days he stayed with over teh weeknd. How did you like that weather.  We enjoyed it very much, so much in fact that we played four games of poker, two games of craps (dice), and lounged around for about six hours a day.

Do you remember what I told you about going to Connecticut?  Well, just in case I get expelled from school between Sept and Dec I won’t be old enough to take the job in Conn. so I’ll join the CCC for six months.  How do you like that.  Well honey with fond thoughts of you, our picnic, and stolls through “Cherry Lane” I think I’ll close. It’s about eleven o’clock and I should be in bed.

Sincere Love and Kisses,

Larry

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

P.S. I think of you always darling because I love you.

LJPRR

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P.P.S. Do I Worry?  I’ll See You Again.  Some of These Days.  LR

[At the very bottom of the page in small letters:]

I’m nuts, but don’t remind me.

Notes: George Fredericks and Jimmy Palumbo were two of Pop’s oldest and dearest friends.  Phil and Bert are unknowns.  Bill Rodgers and Red were bandmates.

CCC was the Civilian Conservation Corps, a public work relief program during the Great Depression.

P.S. was signed with his initials and his names spelled out vertically beneath them.

3 July 1941 – Queens, New York

Dearest Marion,

Although you have been gone but a few hours I miss you immensely.  Your charms, when you are near, have been very lucrative to my wants of happiness and joy.  Last night I remained awake for a few hours thinking of you.  Last night before eI went to bed I read a little verse which caught my attention, thus;

Your voice is like bells over roofs at dawn;

When a bird flies

And the sky changes to a fresher color,

Speak, Speak beloved,

Say little things

For my ears to catch

And run with them to my heart.

I think that was very nice and full of ideas.  But thus far all I have written is a lot of bologna.  The main reason for this note was to remind you that I, Lawrence John Peter Raymond Reilly, Esq., love you.  (I ain’t kiddin’ see.)  Every time I tell you that you always say I don’t think so; well this is one time you can’t answer back.  Well sweetheart although this isn’t what I had planned to write it seems the same purpose.  It’s getting late and I must retire, aboard the 7:25 express to Chambers St.  Enjoy yourself dear.  I’ll be thinking of you.

Love & Kisses,

Larry

P.S. Millions of kisses for you and one for Ethel and one for Dotty. LR

Notes: Ethel was Nan’s older sister and Dotty was Nan’s cousin, Dorothy Stamm, the daughter of Mae.  Mae was Gerald Thomas’s (Old Pop) sister.

The poem is Prime by Amy Lowell, written in 1922.