The Mueller-Harder Family

Tuesday Nite
[Detroit, Michigan]

Dearest,

Well, I got here and settled without any trouble at all. After I wrote you yesterday I went out and found my street and caught a bus that took me within two blocks of the factory. Nablo was out of town until this morning, so I had to get acquainted with everybody without him. Everyone was glad to see me and took me right in. They are, without exception, as nice a bunch of people as you will find anywhere.

I spent the day wandering around finding out where everything is and talking to everybody to find out just what he does, so that I know whom to ask what questions.

One of the men, he might be termed “practical engineer at large” as he makes a good engine out of what they have when the other departments get through with their new designs, — as I was going to say — has a large house and they, the Richmonds by name, take an occasional roomer, so I am staying here with them. They are awfully nice and friendly people — and you have no conception of what a clean house is.

This morning I met Nablo and had a nice talk with him. I never saw a man in a worse condition — mental or physical. He is so nervous and has so many things on his mind at once that he doesn’t know what it is all about.

I spent most of the day in the testing room and talking with Carr. Carr is an almost exact composite of Joe Flower and Arthur Brown. He is 37 and a high pressure salesman and I like him, tho’ my father couldn’t stand him five minutes.

Oh — oh, — your family are not the only ones who snore!

Tonight I went out to dinner and to the Ford Exposition (Ford’s own automobile show) and to the movies to see Mae West with one of the young fellows in the office — of course at Gray’s expense. I got one of the restaurant’s mat[???] folder’s — engraved.

I hope I hear from you tomorrow; I thought maybe I would today.

Gosh, I hope Jan has been good to you and that all the difficulties have been smoothed out. I keep myself happy thinking of you just having to do enough for her to enjoy her, as it should be. Does she know you yet, and has she changed much yet?

Darling, don’t feel bad about my being away a little while. Please keep happy. The only way I can ever be happy is to know you are, you know.

Here it is almost one o’clock! If you aren’t asleep now I am going to give you a good spanking the first thing!

I didn’t think I had to go away from you to know how much I didn’t want to, but it is even worse than I thought it was going to be. Oh I love you so much, my Jean.

Goodnight, sweet darling,

I love you.

your Bill.