Monday noon

[Apr 26, 1943]

Dear Mavis,

Received your letter this morning and am glad you all made it safe. As for me I was tired and sleepy. After I left you I went out to the Fort after Hiram. At the gate there was a line of girls. I suppose about twenty waiting in line to get a pass. One of the guards told me the best way was to call him so I did. In about twenty minutes here he came with a big grin on his face. They had told him about us being at the camp and there was nothing he could do but wait. He saw the car when we were parked and had started to it when we drove off. When we got to the Hotel there was a little tear shedding. Jerry was asleep. I stayed about ten minutes and left. Went to the bus station at eight o'clock and there was not a bus until 10 o'clock so I had a two hour wait.

We arrived in (Birmingham?) at 12:30. I asked about the next bus going west and it was 7AM. I got a cab and went over to the depot and the next train was 1PM the next afternoon, so I had to walk back to the bus station and wait. We left at 7AM for Memphis on a very crowded bus, and from Tupelo I let a girl with a baby about Johnnie's age have my seat. He was a little boy and I think he would have passed for Johnnie's twin. He would smile at you if you would talk to him. She had him dressed about like you had Johnnie dressed.

All the way to Memphis I was worried about the train schedule for the train gets into Cleveland around 8 o'clock and the bus was due in Memphis at 4:30, so you see there couldn't be very much difference in the time.

When I got off the bus it was 4:35 and I looked around for a cab and found one. I told him to step on it for I was trying to catch the train. He put me off at the L&N depot, not knowing. I gave him a 50 cent piece and would not wait for the change. I ran into the office and ask about a train going to Cleveland. Said it had just pulled out. You can imagine how I felt. I turned around and asked him when the next train would run. He said I was at the wrong depot. I ran out and got another cab to the Grand Central Station where I should have gone in the first place. The train was ready to pull out, so I got on without my ticket. Ruthel was on it. We arrived in Cleveland around 8 o'clock. Alexander, William and Dad were there to meet us so you see I was plenty tired myself.

I think I would have cried a little if I would have let myself. Johnnie's little bed being empty and his little stroller there where we left it. It is very lonesome here without you all.

Went to Sunday School yesterday afternoon but as usual had to leave to carry Ruthel back to catch the train. Brother Guinn preached.

We received a letter and Easter card from Little Wash Saturday. I got the parts for the pump this morning. It works alright now.

I have about run out of anything to write so will close this nonsense. Hope you won first prize at the baby show Friday night. If you didn't something was wrong with the judges.

Kiss my little Johnnie for me, for I can hardly keep the tears from flowing.

Love,

Ruel