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-3- When I look in "the black book" at the page for February 1953, I find, among other things, such items as: Bank of Dunbar ------------------ $ 686.10 Bailey-Farrell (bathtub, etc) --- 59.20 Dunbar Lumber ------------------- 894.70 Electric Supply ----------------- 144.72 Kanawha Valley Bank ------------- 795.92 Nat'l Bank Commerce ------------- 419.19 Gears, Roebuck ------------------ 202.50 Eunice White -------------------- 1150.00 TOTAL --------------------------- $ 4352.33 Plus the other usual bills: utilities, food, clothing etc. and the mortgage Today the book looks like this: Bank of Dunbar ------------------ $ 58.30 Comm. Credit -------------------- 159.96 Kanawha Supply ------------------ 28.04 Kanawha Valley Bank ------------- 274.33 Shannon & Lichs ----------------- 90.00 TOTAL --------------------------- $ 610.52 WOW! WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Almost $4000.00 in four years. Yes, we have come a long way. Now to get you back home and really make a home and marriage for ourselves. Without your encouragement and help the story would be quite different. All my efforts have been for you; my love for you had been the fuel which fired my desire to "go out and get the world for you" and to "bring the world and place it in your lap". We have seen a rough five years, but they have also brought much joy and accomplishment. I've always heard that the first five years of a marriage are the toughest. O.K., now I'm ready for the many pleasures which lie ahead once you are home again. Have been two hours on this volume---adding figures, etc. and a few interruptions by droppers-in. "Sticky" just came to bring the driver educ. car. Says that the man will likely come down another 50 or 70 if I talk fast. I may get him to give me another hundred on my car if he figures I am ready to trade or there is a sale for my present car. We'll see what is what. In the meantime, you check there and find the basic price on a 4-door Monterey Phaeton with the basic equipment (radio, heater, white side-wall tires, two-tone paint, back-up lites, directional signals, undercoat, etc.) and also power brakes. Find the price when there is a trade-in (they're cheaper when there is no trade). Be sure the price includes the above items. I will check the Bank of Dunbar and Kanawha Valley as to how far they will go on financing. Will also find out about the insurance. If you can find the info immediately (maybe by phone), let me know the details in your weekend letter. Can you buy at a discount without borrowing from your credit union? Would rather not borrow from the union if you are resigning in June. They may foreclose when you resign. Will sign this off now. Sleep on it, mull over it, and let me know what you came up with. Maybe we can get a car as our 5th anniversary present. WOW! Congratulations "Mrs Goldleaf"! I LOVE YOU MADLY! [[signature]] May hold your valentine until you get here.