Dearest Sweetheart,

I’m sorry that I haven’t gotten a letter off to you, but I guess I have been kind of tired out as well as a little lazy. Don’t think that I didn’t want to write to you. I did, but I just couldn’t get down and do it. Please try and understand me.

I saw Dorothy Tuesday and she was very glad to see me. I hate to say it, but she has gone to hell completely. She drinks like a fish and does many other things that aren’t mentionable. I tried to talk to her but I see that she wants that kind of a life so let her live it. She’ll regret it some day.

How has my darling wife been? I hope fine. I was glad to hear that you had nice weather because then you won’t have so many colds. I hope you aren’t working too hard dear.

I have been feeling really swell. I haven’t had any colds since I’ve been out here and that is a lot. The climate is a little damp and we have lots of rain, but I believe I can stand it. It is a million times better than Farragut.

About you coming out. I’m not hurrying you, dear. You know I always try to think straight. I know there are quite a few things to be taken care of first dear. But one thing I don’t want you to do is ride out with some salesman or something like that. If you haven’t enough money, you can always come out on the bus. It isn’t such a bad trip that way as they stop every hour. We’ll figure out some way for you to get here. Only please don’t ride out here with someone. Believe me, I trust you but I just don’t like the idea.

Another thing, try and talk Mrs. Lehner into not coming out here. She would only get upset when she sees Dorothy. I can’t put it into words how rotten she’s gotten but it is the lowest. Do your best to keep Mrs. Lehner home.

Darling, I love you so very much and I hope you do too. Please don’t do anything that might harm our love. It means so much to me and you too. It’s our whole life. I married you because I want to make you happy. I’ll always try to do my best. All I ask is that you try and be a good wife. I know you can and are trying. I’m not very hard to please.

I hope people, certain ones, have stopped giving you hell. Don’t let them get you down. I’m standing firm with you, darling. Just watch and see. We’ll show them all that we can and will make a go of our marriage.

How is your Mother feeling? I hope better. I hope you have gone to the kids and knocked some sense into their heads. They must understand, as I don’t want your mother to be made the goat just because we love each other and got married. Tell me if you think it would help if I wrote to Ed and Darlene. I want to do my best to fix things up.

Dearest, I have started to read the Bible and I hope that I can become a good father to our children. You know that I want to try my hardest to make a good home for my family. I know you’ll be a good Mother and wife. In my lonely hours I find consolment in the Bible, as well as learning things. I’ll have to know. I hope you agree on what I’m dong.

How are your girl friends? I mean Millie, Iris, and the rest. Say hello to them for me. Also say hello to the Lehners and Addie and everyone else. But fist of all say hello to my very sweet wife. I love her very, very much.

Well! I guess I better close as my eyes are getting tired. Bye, bye and be good darling. I love you with my heart and soul.

All the love in the whole wide world from your sailor husband,

Joe

P.S. XXXXXXXXXX I hope I can collect them soon.