Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family

Jon Bouman to the Bouman Family

Bouman, Jon Anthony, 1873-1958

WWP23140

1927 August 18

Letter from Jon Bouman to his family.

Gift of William C. and Evelina Suhler

Germany--History--1918-1933

Correspondence

Transatlantic flights

Rachel Dark

Denise Montgomery

English

PROOFREADING

Evelina Suhler is the granddaughter of Jon Anthony Bouman and inherited the family collection of his letters from the years of World War I. She and her husband gave the letters to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum in 2013.

Dearest;

I am sending this to Walberswick thinking you will be there by the time the letter gets to England.

Since the evening man has returned from his holidays, I have the evening off, that is, after about 7 pm; sometimes later, for he comes as 7.30 and stays till 230 or 3 a.m.

I have just come in from a dinner given by the German men to a number of American editors who are visiting Europe under the Carnegie Endowment Scheme, I have just left them gassing away in a row like the monkey house at the Zoo.

I was able for the first time last night to use the office ticket for the movies; I saw “Senorita” (Bebe Daniels) at one of the houses. I see Ben Hur is also on show here. I am now hoping I shall get a whole day off some time after that awful flying business is over; two of our men are still away from the office owing to it.

Last Sunday I discovered a new eating house called Zum Klausner (The Hermit’s Cave) all dark oak paneled and with large earthenware mugs like the blue ones we have, on shelves. This is the place where the bourgeoisie comes on Sunday with wife and family; large potbellied gents with incredibly sloppy clothes, shaven polls, rolls of fat on their necks with little piggy eyes and a ferocious air. On the walls are what you may call “bright sayings” or “Great Thoughts” one of which is something like this:

The man who is morning, noon, and night
Quaffs from the fountain here—
He lives a life of pure delight;
The best of cures is BEER.

Another notice says if your glass isn’t filled right up to the brim, please complain to the management.

I was sitting alone and was presently joined by a Herr, a Frau, and two daughters. The Herr glared around, and loudly announced:

“You must have this” (mentioning a dish)
“Yes, that would be nice”, the spouse asserted, meekly.
“No, not that. I think you’d better have this” (another dish)
“Yes, that would be nice”, (again)
“After all, no; have this (a third dish)
“Yes, that would be nice”, (third time)

The girls sat like monkeys and never said a word, and they and Ma obediently ate what their lord decreed. It was quite amusing.

I have written Dora congratulating her. If it’s the right man, she’s in luck. A cottage grown with roses and a chicken farm in the county is quite the ideal thing.

Enclosed postcard came from Boy Fullick; I am sending it because of the picture.

Of course I shall hear from you soon from Walberswick; I hope you managed without too much harass; I am wondering how the weather will turn out; after a few hot days when even the fat Fraus carried their hats in their hands we have had quite cool weather; it suits me well but one could do with a little more sunshine when away on holidays.

I shall write to Bill in a couple of days.

Now, have a good time, and don’t get into any scrapes!

With love,
Doc.

Letter

Bouman Family