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May 18, 1935 – You know that I am one year in the USA yesterday.

18 May
May 18, 1935 – You know that I am one year in the USA yesterday.

5/18/35
My Dear Ones,

Bubele’s letter arrived this morning just in time, otherwise this letter would sound very different.

I am very happy everything arrived on time and fitted OK. The photo is very nice. I always liked you with your hair parted in the middle.

The clipping from your paper about the fire in Rogers Park is correct, only they did already find the person who set the fire. The trial is not over yet.  

Erna

Erna

I received a postal card from “Fuchstanz.” I do miss those Sunday hikes. But there are so many beautiful parks here, which I like a lot.

What gray hat was Liss trying to fix? And what new dress are you wearing in the photo? I had a thin light brown skirt made to wear with that new pullover next Wednesday. Only buttons still have to be sewed on.

Is anything I planted on mother’s grave still there? Do not worry about Dr. Samuel. As soon as I have a little extra I will send it to him.

You know that I am one year in the USA yesterday.

You ask what Julius S. said to Aunt Jenny. Practically nothing! I really did not want to listen to him and got rid of him as quickly as possible.

Which Hilde Mayer is going to South America or Africa? My girlfriend?

What gives you the idea that Eddy and Gwen might not be married? I think I wrote you that they will be married 1 year very soon.

Fuchstanz

Postcard from Fuchstanz

I do not know if it is an American custom to sew in bed in the evening, but I like to do it.

Have not heard from Werthahn again.

That I am a little piggy is nothing new really. The reason I took so much at one time to the cleaner is the fact that I saved quite a bit of money that way. Almost ½ the price.

Smarty Ernale, if you had mailed that letter 6 days earlier it would have been here before your boss. This way I did not receive it until 5 days afterwards.

I was very upset when I came home Monday night about 10:00 pm. I had been at home until 7:45 pm, when Mrs. Saunders and I went downtown to see a very interesting slide show from the company where Aunt Henny works.

When we came home I found the calling card from Stefan Demuth with a few lines. He had been there at about 8:45 and would have liked to talk to me. Sorry I do not have such a good nose. I called the number he gave me the next day at noon. Talked to a very nice, polite lady who told me to call again at 6:30 pm, which I did. We talked together for only a few minutes. He was sorry he could not get together with me. He was going to leave that evening and wanted to make several more phone calls. Actually he was only about 24 hours in Chicago and I think it was very nice of him to stop by my place. He will tell you all about it but I was terribly upset of course.

I do not understand exactly why Papa waited three weeks before answering my letter. But I am very happy that he did answer it. I wish my sisters would follow his good example and write me once in a while.

Were those shoes that got soaked waterproofed?

So now those are answers to your letter.

Now for my weekly report. This is about the 50th letter I have been writing to you! Correct?

Click on image for Youtube

Last Sunday we ate a light dinner instead of breakfast. That is the custom in the South where Leonard comes from. It was a nice change and tasted real good. Then we as usual picked up Flora Mae and since she begged us we went again to Beryl and Fritz Samuel. She was so anxious to see the new baby again.

We walked a little and then took Flora Mae home. We walked a little more and I saw for the first time the ex Mrs. Leonard Grossman.

We then rode downtown and tried to decide where to eat. We finally went in a place and there Mr Isi Kosterlitz was sitting at the first table. We sat and he had to see us when he left. He was so shocked to see me again after 4 months that he left without paying after he stopped and talked to us a few minutes. He did come back soon to pay. And I won a pound of nuts. Leonard made a bet that he would not come back and I said he would. Of course I won.

Afterwards we went to see “Cardinal Richelieu” – excellent movie with George Arliss, one of the best current movie actors. In order to cool off we stopped for ice cream on the way home. Almost every evening I have ice cream for dessert.

3 bridges

Three Bridges

Monday morning I came just at the right time to work to see all the bridges over the Chicago River, open at the same time. Some were opening, some closing and the one in the middle all the way open. These draw-bridges are on every street so the bigger ships can go through. On Michigan Avenue the bridge has 2 stories. I was the last person to get across that morning. They were just waiting for me. 20 minutes later, when I looked out of the window, they were all closed again. Just imagine how easy it is to miss a train or appointment, if caught with an opening bridge. They are not on any schedule. They just toot their horns when they want to go through.

Bridges Open

Tuesday evening as usual with Mrs. Saunders.

Then I went to Mrs. Rose Lamarque, my dressmaker. Next morning, before I went to work, to buy some material. In the evening I went again to Bertl S. and for the first time in a long time played cards. Did not go home so late.

Michigan Avenue Bridge

Michigan Avenue Bridge


That by the way is the newest news.

Since 2 weeks, I go earlier to sleep.

Thursday again supper with Mrs Saunders, dressmaker, and 10:00 p.m., bed.

Last night as always on Friday at Samuel seniors. Home a little later – and such a long way – because I would sleep late today. From noon to 2:30 pm at Mrs. Lamarque just schmoozing. Then a haircut, shampoo in my room, and lying in bright sunshine on my bed – I am surprised I do not have sunburn yet – Crocheting.

[Then] fix my hair as nice as possible, get dressed, go downtown to Leonard’s office, eat a very good supper together of course. Now he is sound asleep again. Actually that is the best time for me to write letters.

Aunt Henny visited Mrs. Saunders yesterday and they talked about me for 2 hours. I would really like to know what Stefan Demuth had to say. Honestly — about my living quarters and my landlord Mr. Silver. The latter was avery astonished how well Demuth speaks English, after I explained to him who he is.

Next time you expect some body to come to Chicago please give them my phone number. Delaware 5425. Also Leonard’s office address and phone number. He can usually be reached in his office and knows where I can be found.

A few years ago chain letters were in style in Germany. Now they are big here. I got one too and mailed it to 5 other people. Wonder how many 5 cents I will get. Some people started chain letters with $1 and $5, but that is too much for me. It will take at least 3 weeks before the money may trickle in.

And now my very dear ones I hope to get mail from you soon again. For today I am sending you uncountable greetings and kisses,

Your loving Trudel

Best regards to Liss and all friends and relatives. How is Herr flying Heinrich?

Letter from LJG to Lotta and Erna, 5/18/1935

Dear Lotte and Erna,

They say the way to a man’s heart is thru his stomach, so a good cook is sure to win her man.
But the Adler sisters don’t have to win me by cooking. I knew and loved Trudel without ever knowing even to this day if she can cook water without burning it.

Sweetheart

And in this country a man’s sweetheart is called is “sweet cookie.” [Drawing of hearts.] So it was appropriate and fine and wonderfully thoughtful of you all to send those sweet cookies to my “sweet cookie” and me. I just couldn’t eat enough of them – so I ate too many. Just ate, and ate, and ate your sweet cookies with my sweet cookie. And I want to thank you for every cookie you sent, and for those that may some day come – can I thank you in advance?

So Erna – before your picture – so lovely and gracious – arrived, your cookies – Trudel – the unbaked one- sweeter even than the ones you baked – and the baked ones – had won my heart completely – as Lotte – your dear and beautiful picture had won me long before.

But you know – if a man wants to stay on the safe side a lawyer’s advice is “Do right and fear no man.” Also, “Don’t right {write) and fear no woman.” Now if I write and sign myself “yours truly,” and I am not truly yours, you can sue me for breach of promise. But this week in Illinois the law against breach of promise was passed – so broken hearted ladies are out of luck from now on.

Of course I am not exactly yours truly, because I am all Trudel’s. But she tells me that what is hers is yours. So maybe a small piece of my heart is fastened in Frankfurt by your gracious pictures and the loving thoughts of your Father and all his dear ones. So please give him my love and keep some of it – each of you – for yourselves. I have given all the rest of my heart to darling Trudel – so I can only give you the small diagram of it with the arrow of our love on the other side.
Devotedly your (?)
Leonard

The photographs of the bridges were taken by Trudel from the window of the millinery place where she was working. If you look closely at the one captioned “Three Bridges,” you can see all three are in motion. The one on the right is just about closed. The one in the middle is just past its peak and the left bridge is opening. A boat has just moved past the middle bridge. In the other photo, the boat is to the right of the middle bridge.

 
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Posted by on May 18, 1935 in Chicago, family, immigrant experience, Letters, Memoir

 

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May 11, 1935 – “All afternoon today I was sitting in sunshine on my bed.”

11 May
May 11, 1935 – “All afternoon today I was sitting in sunshine on my bed.”

May 11, 1935

My beloved Love Ones!

Often I wish time would not go so fast so I would not have to write you so often.

The cookies, which I received Friday night, were gone by Monday. They were delicious, of course not enough. One half of them we ate already by Friday night at Samuels. I almost thought there would not be any left for me to take home.

What ever happened to mother’s jet dress? I wrote you a couple of times that we could use it very well here.

Slot Machine


I ate so many cookies on Saturday morning that I could not eat any breakfast. At 3:00 pm I finally had some hot chocolate and a little toast. After that I lay on my bed in beautiful sunshine. Later I picked up Leonard for supper.

On the way home we found a different slot machine that we had not seen before. I decided to try my luck for a change and won 55 cents. Of course about 1/3 of it went back into the machine.

Sunday after sleeping late I went to the “south side” for the bris of the newest Samuel baby. The father, Fritz, is the youngest of the 4 Samuel children. Leonard came later with Flora Mae. We ate as usual in the Madison Park Hotel and afterwards saw a movie, “Life begins at 40.”

Life Begins at 40

Click Image for YouTube

On Monday we worked only until 3:00 pm. It was miserable rainy weather so I had nothing better to do than to go to a movie again: “The Night is Young” after a novel by Vicky Baum and playing in Vienna. The main actor was Ramon Navarro and a small part played by Hermann Bing, brother of Gus.

Then I picked up Leonard and we met Louise and Alfred Hamburger. She is giving lectures to new German refugees on American literature. It was really very interesting.

Afterwards we went to the room of a lady in the same hotel and had very interesting conversation. In 10 years Leonard has not heard as much German as that evening.

The Night is Young

Click image to see trailer

Tuesday night I was at Aunt Henny’s. She moved into a nice, quiet hotel for the same amount of money. Wednesday I stayed home, ate dinner with Mrs. Saunders and went to sleep at 9:00 pm.

Do you remember the red sweater I started to make for Ellen? I ripped it all and made it very pretty, all new.

Thursday I ate at Fritz and Bertl Samuel. I am altering a hat for the new mother. Fritz worked in FFM at the “Flôrsheimer Stiftung” [Florsheim Foundation] Addie Eggner worked several years at Sigmund Strauss Jr. and the 3 of us talked about a lot of Frankfurters.

Both young men know Alex from the “Stift” although Fritzis much younger. He and Addie used to go often to Wehrheim to sell goods. Addie sends his best regards to Doddo [Trudel’s sister] and thanks her for the letter. He thinks you really should find time to write to me and described you as a “light blond goyishe girl.” What about that “light blond?”

By the way do you still have so much trouble with your stomach? I found a very cheap easy cure. From all that not so good restaurant food my stomach was in pretty bad shape. Now I drink a cup of very warm water with just a little sugar first thing every morning. At first I did not like it, but now I got used to It and my stomach is fine. After that I eat 3 or 4 cooked prunes with milk or cream.

Frozen Cream on Top

By cream I mean what is on top of the milk in the bottle. One can get milk here only in bottles, homogenized and does not need to be cooked. Just try my prescription for a little while and you will have no need for other medicine. Good Luck! Maybe you will feel so much better that you will write me more often.

Now back to my itinerary. Friday night again I went to the senior Samuels. Tomorrow, Mother’s Day, they will be married 40 years. I gave them a very pretty salad serving set and salt and pepper shakers. When they scolded me for spending my hard earned money I declared that I wanted to give to a mother who deserved something for Mother’s Day. After all she is the “mother” of a bunch of young people. As always, the meal was very, very good. Too bad we live so far away from each other. Maybe it is just as well. If I would eat there too often I would gain a lot of weight.

Mr. Eggener has not found a job yet also. All of us are trying to help him. It is always very hard to find work until one speaks better English.

Today I went downtown early to pay Leonard’s phone bill, then I spent $4 for a collar, cuffs, belt and some flowers to make the blue dress and coat look new.

LJGinChair

LJG

Since [For] 3 days we were having gorgeous summer weather, but now it is starting to rain.

I am writing this in the office after dinner. Leonard is sound asleep in his chair again. The poor guy did not get home until 4:00 am every night this week and had to be in court at 10:00 am every morning. I do not know how he could do that if he did not sleep here 1 or 2 hours in between sometimes.

I really have to try to get more sleep too. I got a good start on Wednesday. All afternoon today I was sitting in sunshine on my bed and sewed, washed and ironed a little.

Shirley Temple Paper Dolls

Shirley Temple Paper Dolls

We are invited for Mrs. Gray’s birthday on the 22nd. At the same time they are opening their “roof garden” for the summer season. That is when I want to look very nice. I have no idea what I should wear. Hopefully I will have that pullover sweater ready by then. It would look nice with my white linen suit.

Shirly Temple Paper Clothes

When will I receive a photo of Ernst? Did you receive the underwear? Do not forget Erna Grünebaum’s birthday on the 25th. I will send her a Shirley Temple “paper doll” with paper clothes. I hope it arrives safely.

When do I get answers to my letters? I asked weeks ago what was wrong with Steffie O? I am giving up hope that my sisters will answer. At least my dear Papa writes to me now and then. What else is new?

I do not know any more to write.

Love and kisses
Trudel and Leonard

I am trying to learn more about the “Flôrsheimer Stiftung” or “Stift.” Flôrsheim is a city in the mountains near Frankfort. There also appears to have been a Flôrsheim street in Frankfurt. In my research, I discovered Dr. Max Scholl was a chemist who built a business specialzing in the chemical treatment of leather in Flôrsheim. Since Trudel’s sister and her boyfriend were in the leather business, there may have been a connection. Dr. Scholl’s tragic story is told in a series of letters in a 1997 NYTimes article Dear Cousin Julius, We Trust on Our God and on You…’

There does not appear to be any connection to Dr. Scholl’s shoes or to the Florsheim shoe company which was founded in Chicago in 1892.

 
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Posted by on May 11, 1935 in Chicago, diary, family, immigrant experience, Letters

 

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April 18, 1935 – “We did not laugh as much as last night in a long time.”

18 Apr
April 18, 1935 – “We did not laugh as much as last night in a long time.”

4/18/35

My Sweet Goldchildren,

After a delicious yonteff* dinner we just landed in Leonard’s office with big filled stomachs. We feel too heavy to go home right away. And how do the matzos taste to you this year?

Trudel’s First Passover in America

Last evening, first seder, we ate at the same kosher restaurant as tonight. The difference was the fact that we participated in a seder last night and today only dinner. We did not laugh as much as last night in a long time. They had one large table and several small ones. Of course we sat at a small one. Since the service took so long and we were very hungry, we emptied our goblets with very good red wine every time. You can imagine the result! The seder was very good, but not many melodies like at home, only a very few.

County Chairman

The County Chairman

The dinner was excellent both evenings. Of course the matzo ball soup was not so [good] that Lu could claim he could not eat anything else after 2 bowls full. They did not serve sour/sweet carp either. But very delicious almond torte and macaroons.

Tonight, Thursday night, it went very fast and was finished including dinner at 9:30 pm. We both were in such a good mood with our tummies full that we did not feel like going home. So we went to a movie. Very funny, just right for the mood we were in: “The County Chairman.”

On Tuesday night we were in a movie too. Very serious and good: “David Copperfield.”

David Copperfield

David Copperfield

And before I forget, I want to tell you the funniest thing that happened to me this week. Sunday as usual Flora Mae had dinner with us and Leonard took her home. We did not feel like going on that long bus trip home so we went to see an excellent film, “Clive of India” right there in Hyde Park. They have a new game there and I won a free pass. Unfortunately it is only good on weekdays. I gave it to Aunt Henny when I was there on Monday night and I expect we will use it frequently.

Clive-of-India

Clive of India

Saturday I ate at Weil’s and Leonard joined us later. It was nice as usual. I had brought along my photo album and they enjoyed looking at old friends and relatives. Friday night I was again at Samuels. Clem’s fiancé is now one or two days in New York. Did he ever visit you? Neither he or you wrote anything about that.

I do not know what is wrong with me tonight, that I tell everything backwards.

Sears Spring Ad 1935

Spring Fashions

And now something very new. Especially for myself: a navy blue spring coat for $16, navy blue shoes $3.69, purse and 6 pair of hose, also a light blue blouse for my blue suit. One never knows how the weather may be Easter Sunday. If it is like last Sunday I need only my blue suit. But if it is like last Monday I need also the coat over the suit, besides galoshes, raincoat, umbrella and maybe warm underwear. In any case I will be prepared.

SportcoatsFall1935

Sports Coats on Sale

When I turn around in my chair now, I see what you can see on the enclosed snapshot. That photo was taken after a week in the new office. Now there are so many books and papers on the desk that you cannot see the desktop. In a few minutes he will have it cleared and we shall go home. I do not feel like going alone.

This week we were not very busy at work so I even worked short hours. That of course is the result of that crazy weather. Hopefully it will be nice on Sunday. Then we will get busy again.

LJG at (temporarily cleared) Desk

I suppose that finishes my report for today. I hope the matzos agreed well with you. I bought a box for myself. For breakfast during Passover, I have been eating 2 matzos, 2 hard boiled eggs and 1 cup of coffee. The ham or bacon, what usually comes with the breakfast, I cut out this week.

I am writing you tonight since I want to make a hat for myself in my lunchtime tomorrow.

I am your loving

Trudel

  • “Yonteff” is a Yiddish variant of Yom Tov — Hebrew for holiday. Literally “Good Day.”
  • “Leonard,” sometimes referred to as “Len” or LJG would become my father.
  • Flora Mae was LGJ’s 6 year old daughter by a previous marriage. My half-sister.

 
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Posted by on April 18, 1935 in Chicago, diary, family, immigrant experience, Judaism, Memoir

 

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April 7, 1935 “Talking about the weather -Today it is snowing pretty much while yesterday it was beautiful sunshine.”

07 Apr
April 7, 1935 “Talking about the weather -Today it is snowing pretty much while yesterday it was beautiful sunshine.”

April 7, 1935
671 N. Dearborn St.

My Dearest Dear Ones:

Madison Park Hotel

Madison Park Hotel

Since I forgot my fountain pen and do not see any ink here, I will write this with the silver pencil from Doddo [Trudel’s oldest sister].  It is Sunday afternoon and I am sitting here in the Madison Park Hotel waiting for Leonard.  And you want to know what is new here. 

Last night we saw a very good movie:  “Enter Madame.”  By the way, they are always showing pictures of Germany during the news in the movies and in the papers.  Last week they showed the “Bockenheimer Warte.”  2 weeks ago there was a picture electronically transmitted, and I immediately said it was printed backwards, because the swastika on Hitler’s shirt sleeve was reversed.  Of course I was right.  A few days later the same picture in another paper was correct.

Enter Madam

Enter Madam

Last Friday at Samuels I read the FFM edition of the “Hamburger Family News” and discovered several new news items.  For instance that Liebermann and old Hauck have died.  I felt really stupid that I did not know about it.  You know things like that are still interesting to me, so I do not look too stupid in some company.  In that paper I also read something about an orchestra conductor named Wolff.  Is he the young man from “Amizitia” living on Eschersheimer Landstrasse?  
Bockenheimer Tower

Backenheimer Tower

I am very happy in my new job.  Several of the girls worked also for Budwig (my first job here).  I altered a hat for mother Samuel and she liked it very much.  The 2 piece dress I crocheted for Gwen is finally finished and delivered on Wednesday.  It looks so nice that I am considering making one for myself.

What would you expect if the menu said: “German Pot Roast”?  I was until now always afraid to order it.  Now I know what it is actually, and I like it.*

Yesterday I saw something really funny.  I was in a grocery store to buy “Lux” soap flakes.  There was a young girl, about 15 or 16 years old, in a spring sport coat (it was almost summer weather), no hat, on roller skates, cigarette in her beak, and a fox terrier on a leash.  She was shopping too.  I really had to laugh.

Lux Ad

Lux Soap Ad (1935)

Talking about the weather,   Since I had nothing better to do, I tried on my whole summer wardrobe and gave Mrs. Saunders a fashion show while she washed a few things for me.  Then I took 6 pieces of my wardrobe to the cleaners.

Some clothes are really jinxed.  I am sure the first time I will wear my green dress after I get it back from cleaning, I will spill something on it.  This happens every time.  4 times in a row. 

Thursday was such beautiful weather I did not feel like staying home.  I walked downtown and after dinner Leonard and I went to a movie again, a very thrilling romance, “Bordertown”.  Afterwards, I walked leisurely home again. 

Click image for YouTube

On Tuesday I was already in bed at 7:30 pm but crocheted until about 10:00 pm.  It does not hurt to go to bed early once in a while. 

Friday night I dreamed that Ernale [Trudel’s other sister] had a beautiful ring made from Mother’s diamond and pearl brooch.  The pretty little gold ring from Aunt Frieda I thought I had lost 2 weeks ago — I found it luckily a week later.   I am not wearing it all the time now.  Apparently my fingers have gotten thinner and I do not want to lose it for good. 

By the time you receive this letter it will be Passover already.  Anyway I will eat in a kosher restaurant downtown and try to get some invitations at Samuels.  The other Jewish people I know here do not know much about Judaism.  Hopefully they will not have to learn it some days, what and who they are.

How are Hedwig and children? And all other friends?  Please give everybody my very best regards.

I am sending you herewith the photo I forgot to enclose last time.

Love, Greetings, and Kisses for you,
Your loving daughter & sister

Trudel

PS We just met Hans Werthan at the restaurant.  He sat with us for a few minutes and took again my address and phone number which he had lost.  He sends you best regards.

Here is one recipe for German Pot Roast

 
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Posted by on April 7, 1935 in Chicago, family, immigrant experience, Judaism, Letters

 

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April 1, 1935 “That is not an April Fools joke”

01 Apr
April 1, 1935 “That is not an April Fools joke”

April 1, 1935

My Dear Ones:

Today I am again using my lunchtime to write to you, otherwise I will be too busy. That is not an April Fools joke.

First of all I want to answer your nice letter, since Papa always claims I do not do that.

You ask if I can save any money. Yes, I do. Last week I put $10 in my savings account. It was high time; I had very, very little left there. During the quiet time, between seasons, I used up almost all my savings. Now I am earning $12 to $14 every week besides my private customers. My room is $3.50 a week. For a meal I spend about $4 – If I am not invited often. Transportation about $1 – and then of course postage stamps, soap, laundry, shoe repairs, hosiery, etc.* I do some errands for Leonard.

Besides, breakfast and dinners Saturdays and Sundays and once in a while during the week are paid by him.

So please, each of you can write what just comes to your mind. Do not worry that one of the others might have written it already. So far I have never gotten any news twice. Just the opposite, I have to guess sometimes what you are trying to tell me.

Is Papa going to Dr. Billigheimer? If so, please give him my best regards, next time you see him. I gave all your messages to diverse people. I have not talked to Weils lately but will call them next week.

What gives you the impression that Julius S has a lot of money? I am not so sure. The 2 of them [Trudel’s Uncle Julius and Aunt Henny] got together somehow last week and made up again. Henrietta [Henny] will tell me more when I go to see her tonight. The Saunders [a family with whom Trudel often eats supper] are not Jewish, but very nice people.

Erna 1935

Erna**

Now to Ernales’ letter, you great poet. Yes, it was really high time I received a nice photo of you. Yesterday I wrote Alex a long birthday letter. I hope it was not too stupid since I was very tired when I wrote.

Back of Photo

Back of Erna's Photo**

Shrove Tuesday is not popular here, but Ash Wednesday is important. How is Hedwig? By the time you receive this letter I hope she and her kids will have forgotten that they were ill.

I wrote a long letter to Hamburgers and also one to Mrs. Brown. No answers yet. Last week, I wrote a detailed letter to Justus. Never heard again from Victor. Do not know what to write to Pohl, since you say he got married.

I can understand well why Papa does not want to kiss me with my lipstick lips. I can understand very well. But do not worry, I do use very little lipstick.
To take off the makeup I use a “cold cream” or “cleansing cream.” Cover the face lightly, leave it on for a few minutes. Then wipe it off with cotton or Kleenex. That’s all. Now I believe I have answered all your questions.

[Later]
Now comes my weekly report on the streetcar on the way home from Aunt Henny:

Chicago Street Car

Streetcar

Last week Henny and Julius were for the last time in court and settled for $150. That is the amount which would be due her if they got a divorce in one year after living separately that long. He claimed that he borrowed that money from his brother or nephew.

Aunt Henny is working in politics and real estate. She seems to earn enough to get along. For her birthday I made her a beautiful brown straw hat. She liked it very much and bought a bottle of wine of which I had one cup full. She has no glasses in her room.

I wrote you before that I had a letter from a new company last Saturday. I started to work there Monday at 8:30 am and like it very much. The place is only 10 minutes from my room. From the window on the 18th floor I can see the Devonshire Hotel and with binoculars I could probably see right into Leonard’s room.
Enclosed photos taken from Leonard’s room just miss the building where I am now working. It would be the next one to the right.

From the 18th Floor

From the 18th Floor


My working hours here are great. 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, 1 hour lunchtime, and 4:30 closing. And then I am right downtown to spend my money. Last Monday I was in bed at 7:00 pm already, 1 hr manicure, 1 hour crocheting and 9 pm lights out to go to sleep.

Tuesday night I surprised Leonard in his office and we went to eat together. Since he had an appointment, I went home and was in bed by 10:30 pm. Wednesday I was as usual at Gwen’s.

View from the Room

View from the Devonshire?

Thursday I went right from work to Leonard’s office to help him pack. He is moving his office again for a change. We worked until 1:30 am. Friday evening at Samuels, where I feel very much at home. And Saturday office moving. At 5:00 pm the furniture movers left. I was already wearing a house dress and put a smock over it. Leonard wore an old suit and shirtsleeves. After a very good supper we left the new office at 5:30 Sunday morning, after everything was in order and looked good.

at Night

Night View

12 hours later we were there again. AT 7:00 pm we decided to put all of his about 1000 books in order. That was a real job. And I have to admit we did a very good job. When we left at 2:00 am it all looked really good and ready for a lot of clients. What results will come I hope to be able to tell you soon. That should do it for today.

Loads of love, greetings, and kisses.

Trudel

*A short list of some elements of the cost of living for 1935 can be found at thepeoplehistory.com
**I found this photo in what I believe was Erna’s photo album. The back of the photo, which was trimmed for the album, is addressed to Trudel and is dated April 25, 1935, twenty days after Trudel wrote this letter. So it may be a copy of the same photo or another.

Photos on this page are from family albums with the exception of the streetcar which is from Chuckman’s Collection.

 
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Posted by on April 1, 1935 in Chicago, diary, family, immigrant experience, Letters

 

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