The moustache that I wore in the skit satirizing Dr. Fuller this evening had bibbed a comment that was the hit of the evening. I’ll tell you about it.
Leo St. John
1554 A Day Ave.
San Mateo
It’s past midnight
I’ll not say how much.
May 1 (till midnight)
My dearest darling:
I just returned – a half hour ago – from the dinner at Los Altos Hills Country Club for Lawrence J. Fuller retiring – and much beloved – superintendent of the Las Lomitas School District – a very warm and friendly party of which I’ll tell you more later. Your new friends, Ann and A.C. Roselle and Bess Frank asked about you and wished to be remembered to you. Ann and A.C. think – and they’re right – that you are a darling girl – and they are as happy as my sister, Joyce, and my niece, Sandra, that you include me in your affections. They think it wonderful that I have been able to find so sweet and charming a young lady to fill the spot in my heart that so needs to be so filled. [illegible] dear, your family, like mine – through your mother, you sister Connie and all your brothers, has been enlarged by the addition of very warm-hearted and genuine people.
And since coming home tonight, I have looked long into your face as I see it in the pictures I have of you, and once again I am moved to say that no lovelier creature was ever born on this earth than you. It is not only your loveliness of face that I see but the beauty of the spirit that shines out of your eyes and lights you with a continuing radiance that must be very rare, for I have seen it on no other countenance! I must say these things to you for they keep continually welling up inside me providing me with the joy of life that make my life worthwhile.
I brought back a beautiful lot of rocks for you and a walnut bowl to hold them – the choicest collection I have that Neva and I had picked out to keep – but I can think of no one whom I’d rather give them [page 2] to – permanently – than you. Then I have a lot more that are less select from which you many want to select some additional ones to help bring out the beauty of the prize lot. I was so pleased when you asked me if I had more and to learn that you had been enjoying the handful that I gave you last Christmas. Now I can see them whenever I am at your apartment and feel just as much ownership in them as if I had held them back – no- more because I’ll see them often and I’ll be glad that you have them in your care.
Also I brought back all the books in the Life Series or countries that I have – there are 22 in all. So someday soon you’ll have to come over for an evening and leisurely explore them with me – and then come back as often as you wish. Also I found the book on String Figures & how to make them that I’d been looking for, and as I thought I’d hidden it in plain sight in the book case in Menlo Park. It will interest Leon and Connie and perhaps Georgie too. The younger ones will be charmed with figures that someone else makes but the older three will want to try making some themselves.
To back up a bit, on place we might go for a first camping weekend is to the Cambria Pines area where we could pick up a batch of polishable rocks for you on the beaches – It’s lots of fun. I can set up my polisher (“tumbler”) and polish them for you – and you’ll enjoy seeing that work & watching the rocks as they change from relatively dull – wave worn rocks to the polished ones in which their beauty shines forth!
The rose you gave me is in my bud vase (like yours) on the table in front of me and beside your pictures. I could buy an extra rose or take out [page 3] one of the lot I buy for you but I treasure one much more by leaving it in the lot and having you give it to me. Somehow it then means you, in a way it wouldn’t otherwise, and I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have you identified with the flowers and pictures with which I live every day. I am so grateful to you, darling, for being your beautiful sweet self and for understanding me as you do. I have lots of friends – I was surrounded by them tonight at Dr. Fuller’s dinner, but you are at the top – the star on my Christmas tree!
Turtle Lane was my highway this afternoon and evening – I set 50 miles as my top speed and mostly travelled at 43 to 48 – only straying above 50 a couple of times very briefly when I drove watching the cars ahead of me & unwittingly increasing my speed to 52-54 for a minute or so. But generally I drove safely, as I promised you I would – and perhaps I should set that as my standard generally now. When there is little traffic and a real reason to hurry I may go faster but mostly I think I can get along on the lower speeds. I’d weep my heart out if I had an accident and had to have you come to hospital to see me all broken up as a result. While I last, I want to be useful to you and to continue to deserve a place in your affections.
“Incidentally” – there’s my word again – letting me get the prescription filled for you today is what I mean when I say – do let me do things for you as often as I can. I get no greater happiness than that which comes to me as a result. I was just singing inside all the way to Palo Alto this P.M. because you let me get the roses and have the prescription filled for you. Give me lots of things to do! They’ll keep me singing.
I’ll call you by midmorning tomorrow to learn how you made out the medicine – and to bring you the rocks if I may.
With much love, as always
- Carl
Dr. Carl Duncan and Patricia Whiting Collection (SJSU)
