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Near Paoli, Pa.,
August 5, 1927.

I am writing this on the train early Friday morning as we approach Philadelphia. C.C.Bailey phoned Mr. Webb late yesterday afternoon and practically demanded that I be present at the trial run of the Lehigh Valley car today. So the "Mongrel" diagram, vacation plans, etc. suffered and here I am. It is wonderful though to have a responsible job and really be needed. This is such a contrast to last year when I went on my vacation. Then I was only a testman and not sure of my future, worrying a bit about where I should be in a year's time. Now I have a fine job with responsibility, I'm really needed and I have the prospect of a splendid future. How wonderful it is and how thankful I am. I must improve my game though. It isn't satisfactory to me yet--a little slipshod yet. Polish--finish. I love to see people well balanced, with dignity and poise and yet fully balanced. Poor little WIllie was pretty well broken up last night at first at my going away--the precious. But she is very brave--the doubly precious.

[[underlined]] To Mother from Louisville, August 8, 1927 [[/underlined]]: We made our "hop" to Louisville as successfully as "Lindy" did his to Paris, arriving here last evening about suppertime. Thursday we feared our plans were upset again however. They telephoned Mr. Webb from Schenectady and absolutely insisted that I go to Philadelphia and be present Friday at the trial run of the Lehigh Valley gas-electric car. Mr. Webb knew I planned to leave early Saturday morning for our vacation and tried every which way to get me out of it, even offering to go himself. But, no, I must be there as I had engineered this particular job. So off I went Thursday night to Philadelphia not knowing when we should be able to get away. However, the trials went off beautifully and there was no necessity of my staying over, so I returned to Erie Friday night and we were able to leave for here about 1 p.m. Saturday, my train not reaching Erie until almost noon. We were at first doubtful of being able to reach Louisville before very late Sunday night or possibly Monday morning. However, we made record time, getting beyond Columbus Saturday night, spending the night at Harrisburg, Ohio (you probably wont find it on the map). And yesterday we sailed through, arrived here at 6:15 p.m. "Dodgem" functioned perfectly every inch of the way (about 600 miles) and we didn't have one bit of trouble. The entire trip including gas, oil, meals, lodging, etc. cost $9.97, so we think it is somewhat cheaper than using the railroads. The Fritschners nearly fainted when we pulled up in front of the house at suppertime as they didn't expect we could possibly get here before early morning if at all on Sunday. They were certainly glad to see us--Mr. Fritschner almost ate Willie up and slapped me on the back time and again. We looked like a couple of Indians as we had the top down most of the way and the sun burned us good and properly. You certainly wouldn't call me pale now--you wait and see.