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some time unpacking and then to bed for a good night's sleep in the good old bed that felt very good to us again. That was one of Shanty Shane's few weaknesses, a lack of good, comfortable beds.

Erie, Pa.
Aug. 19, 1938.
My return to the office today was a surprise to them all as Cash had evidently given the impression I wouldn't be in till Monday and it would have been okay too. But I believe this is better, to go in for a day and then have two days off - break in gradually. I wasn't much in the mood for work - read my mail and got oriented again. Bob Walsh is back and looking well again. Rudy Krape seemed to be greatly preoccupied with something, whether his health, business or Martha, I don't know. He has had some arthritis, I believe lately - that may be it. Johnnie Johnson is to retire Sept. 1 and then I move in with Brandy and Don MacLeod and Martha Nelson.
Today was a day primarily, however, of bad news. Jim Bracken was taken to the hospital about Aug. 1st and opened up to find him full of cancer of the stomach and apparently done for. Jim began to go down a year ago when we began designing 0361-0366, and lost about 40 pounds, looked terrible this spring and summer. He thought he was poisoned by the food in Erie or maybe the water - had a diet, etc. etc. And all the time, this was eating through him. One night in the Den we all discussed cancer and Jim seemed to have no idea he might have it. Talked about some quack out in Michigan who had absolutely "cured" it in some people he knew. Poor old Jim; he has always been a good

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