“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.”
1948
August 25, 1948
My dear Marion:
Received your letter this morning and was I ever glad to hear from you, for I miss you very much darling and can hardly wait until Friday night.
It’s just a quarter to nine in the morning and already it is very hot out. I almost hate to think of going to work. Boy are you lucky you won’t have your boss there today, even if you do have to go in for a few hours. Seeing this is Wednesday, I might finish early too.
Just to keep you up to date, me and my cute little old stomach are just fine, my cold is a lot better, and by Saturday night I’ll be the life of the party, so there!!
So Barb doesn’t like to get up so early; maybe Al should get the job of night watchman so he wouldn’t have to go to work until 5 in the afternoon.
Well my darling, I miss you and love you very much and I’ll get that other job as soon as possible, but in the mean time, keep loving me for I love you very, very much and will for always.
Love as Ever
Bobbie xxxxx
THIS IS THE LAST LETTER
Post Card
Dear Marion:
Just a line to let you know that I am still alive & lonely. I miss you very much. I just remembered I did leave you a list of my hotels so you could write me. Will write a letter tonight.
Love Bob
August 17, 1948
My dear Marion:
Well my darling, only three more days left and I can hardly wait to see you once again. I miss you more than I can ever write on paper. I look forward to the weekend so much that time seems to fly a little faster.
So I’m going to be a Godfather am I. You know this will be my first time, so you will have to brief me as to what I am to do. I hope you know.
Well, I haven’t seen Al or Barb yet, or should I say, Mr. & Mrs. Rathbone? I hope they are having a good time. The weather sure has been nice.
I went to the show tonight – “Duel In the Sun”. It was good, did you ever see it? How is my cat these days? I hope it has not been abused in any way. If it is, I’ll have to find a new home for “it”, “her”, “him”, etc.
Well darling, I must close now. It is late and I’ll see you real soon. You have all my love for ever and a day. I love you very much darling.
Love
Bob xxxxxxxx
Marion and Bob with Barb and Al
Post Card
My dear Marion:
Today I’m in Port Stanley working and not swimming, and it really is hot. How is it in Hamilton? Business is poor. I would tell you I love you, but everyone will read it so I will wait.
Love Bob
July 14, 1948
My darling Marion:
As I told you on the phone this afternoon, I received your swell letter this morning and it was swell to receive it for, my darling, I miss you very much and it seems as if I have been away three months instead of three days.
There is not much news darling. Jack and I are staying at his sister’s place so we sit and talk most of the night, so consequently don’t get much sleep. Then I’m tired all day. Jack doesn’t go to work until 12 o’clock noon, and works until 8 at night.
How is my little kitten (Stinchy) by name. I hope you are looking after him while I’m away, are you?
The train I got Sunday didn’t go to Port Huron only to London, but the car wasn’t too hot. I arrived at 10:15 and Jack and Marion were there to meet me.
Well my darling, I must close now. I miss you very much and love you more than I can ever express in words, so love me and miss me as much as I do you.
Love & Kisses
“Bobbie”
xxxxxxxx
PS: Jack says he will buy you a cheese sandwich the next time he comes to Hamilton.
Bob
March 9, 1948
My dear Marion:
Well my dear, how is my best girl these days? Here it is Tuesday noon and I have just finished my dinner and do I ever miss you darling. So far, the week has just started and it seems like it should be Thursday.
I went to the wrestling last night and was it ever grim. No action at all. You even fight and wrestle me more than last night’s grunt and groan boys did. The main attraction was Wee Willie Davis and the Cardiff Giant. The Cardiff fellow won the fight.
Just before I left on Monday, mother said to tell you to come over any night you had nothing to do, not just to come when I am home. I guess they think just as much of you as I do.
Well my darling, I must close now. I miss and love you very, very much so, until the weekend, love me as I love you.
All my love always,
“Bobbie” xxxxxxx
February 16, 1948
My darling Marion:
This is just my first night away from you my darling and I miss you so much. By this time Friday evening comes I’ll be the most lonesome salesman in this territory, but I know I’ll have you to wait for me when I do come home.
I guess this sounds awful “mushy” Marion, but it is just the way I feel, and I wanted you to know. I hope you understand.
I arrived in Kitchener shortly after 10 o’clock this morning and my room was ready for me so I came right up and shaved and washed all ready for a big day. Now it is evening and I am all alone. It’s not so bad in the day time, I have my work which keeps me busy and interested. It’s just these infernal nights that I have to put up with. But when they realize my true “value” (and I use the word very loosely), maybe they will keep me in Hamilton.
So my darling, I miss but love you very much.
Good night
Bob
xxxxxxx
February 9, 1948
My dear Marion:
The first night away from home and you and I miss you both very much. The evening has been very long. I went to an early show, “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” at the only show in town. For the size of the place, the hotel is very smart. I have a shower and all.
It is very cold out tonight, about 10° below and I’m not fooling either. Coming up my gas line froze and I had to get the ice blown out of it, so you can imagine.
What have you been doing tonight? You must remember and tell me when I get home. I forgot to leave you a list of the hotels I am at. I phoned to remind you this morning about your shoes, but your mother said you had gone and taken them with you.
My cold is not much better and coming up here this morning was about the last straw. I thought I would never make it but then I guess I just hated to leave you.
Well my darling, I guess I had better say good night as it is late and I need my sleep. See you soon. Until then, good night and sweet dreams.
Love as ever
“Bobby”
Route Schedule – February 1948
ROUTE Salesman: Lawrence, R. H.
SHEET1 Division No.: 2
Date: February 6, 1948
Date Town Mail Address Hotel or Street
Mon 9 Mt. Forest Mount Royal
Tues 10 Walkerton Hartley House
Wed 11 Harriston Royal Inn
Thurs 12 Elmira Steddick House
Fri 13 Hamilton Maple Ave.
Sat 14 “ “
Sun 15 “ “
Mon 16 Kitchener Mayfair
Tues 17 “ “
Wed 18 “ “
Thurs 19 “ “
Fri 20 Hamilton 148 Maple Ave.2
Sat 21 “ “
Sun 22 “ “
Mon 23 Galt Iroquois Hotel
Tues 24 Brantford Kirby House
Wed 25 “ “
Thurs 26 “ “
Fri 27 Hamilton 148 Maple Ave.
Sat 28 “ “
Sun 29 “ “
LIST ONLY TOWNS IN WHICH YOU WILL REMAIN OVERNIGHT. DO NOT GIVE “GENERAL DELIVERY” AS AN ADDRESS. DO NOT LIST JOBBERS ADDRESSES.
Inquire for mail at each of the addresses listed above.
Always leave directions for mail to be forwarded from each place you leave making certain to give an address that will insure delivery to you. Salesmen must fill in route for three weeks in advance every Saturday.
Life Savers
Port Chester, N.Y.3
- This was Bob’s travel schedule for February 1948.
- Bob lived with his parents at 148 Maple (now Maplewood) Ave. in Hamilton.
- The head office for Life Savers was located in Port Chester, Westchester County, New York. It was built in 1920 and expanded in 1948-1949. It served as the manufacturing facility and headquarters until 1984 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places (US) in 1985.
My Dearest Marion 