It is now May of 1939. Lad has a new job with the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company maintaining vehicles and Diesel engines running their oil pumps at various camps in Northern Venezuela. Dan is still with Inter-America Inc, trying to figure out how to be paid in full and how he will get home.
Trumbull House
R-20
May 4th, 1939
Dear Ferdinand:
When the cow saw you she must have mistaken you for Walt Disney’s hero and was just acting playful. I can see now where I have neglected your education. There you are in the land of bull fighters, with an opportunity coming right at you and instead of being in position to seize opportunity by the horns and become a national hero, you turn and run. And here again I have failed as a father, for instead of bringing you up as a pole vaulter training to make a graceful landing you flop down on the west side of the fence entirely out of bounds. What became of the cow? You left us in suspense on that score. We don’t know whether she is still pawing the ground in front of your protective pole or whether chastened and chagrined, she slowly turned tail and retreated. Is it Venezuela where they get milk from contented cows? Seriously, you did have a lucky escape and while it is humorous to relate and look back upon, it must have given you a hectic few moments.
In answer to this letter and when you think you have no news, write an answer to the following questions: How big is your camp? Describe the various buildings, particularly the one where you work and where you sleep and eat. Describe the men you are in contact with. What is your daily routine? Who do you have under you and who over you in authority? What don’t you like about the place and what do you like? What are the prospects for the future? What kind of magazines would you like? Fiction, news, pictures, automobile trade or what?
Rusty (Huerlin) came to pay us a visit. He is sleeping on the front porch but will do his painting up in Ced’s room. Ced has been working all this week at the Tilo factory. It is hard work and he is pretty tired nights but is sticking it out in the typical Guion manner. Elizabeth has just come in (10 P..M.) with a nice rainbow trout, 14 inches long, which Zeke just caught down in the stream.
Tuesday we had a disgusting town meeting at which your father and practically every other town officer came in for a lot of unwarranted abuse and mudslinging, principally from our good friend Sexton, backed by a group of low intelligent, disgruntled, trouble-makers. I am enclosing a newspaper account which gives a very small idea of what actually took place. Andy Krisak was in the town hall tonight asking me to sign a permit for a gas station. He had bought Heath’s station in Long Hill. He asked about
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both you boys. I read him your letter relating your adventure with the cow.
Oh, Lad, while I think of it, where did you get the lawn mower sharpened? It seemed to me that you felt it was an especially good job but I cannot recall who did it. We ought to have it sharpened again.
Dear Dan:
You will be interested to know that Red (Sirene, a good friend of Dan’s) has just received word that he has successfully passed his entrance exams for Pratt Institute and naturally is quite elated.
Uncle Ted says that he has received a cable from Caracas saying that the second payment, which was due, was not paid, and is now awaiting word as to the reason.
There is not much else in the way of news that occurs to me. Maybe it’s because I’m tired and my brain is kind of numb, but I did want to get this off so that it would catch Friday’s boat for Caracas.
Ced suggests I tell you that he intends to write you both when he gets a chance.
Well, good night laddiebucks, and here’s hoping I’ll hear from you both again soon.
DAD
During the rest of the week, I will be posting two more letters from Grandpa to Lad and Dan.
Judy Guion
"Greatest Generation" Life Lessons 