It would be nice if each of you would write Hulbert, so that he would find several letters awaiting him when he returns. I imagine that will be some time in October, although I am only guessing.  He is a lucky boy to get this wonderful assignment.  I wish that I might tell you something about it.  Chuck said that it is so important that they had to send their best man.  He said a lot of nice things about Hully - about his conscientiousness, ability, and intelligence.  It was nice to hear this, coming form Chuck who knows more about Hully and his work than anyone else. But it didn't surprise me.  Not only Chuck appreciates these things in Hully, but he tells me that both their immediate commanding office and the commanding general do, also.  Fortunately for Hulbert, his assignments often throw him into immediate contact with the brass hats.  And that helps.

It was cute for Mike to buy Victory Stamps.  I don't know where he gets that trait.  Certainly not from the Burroughs side.  I show his pictures, as well as Joanne's and yours, with great pride.  Also Hulbert's, Jack's, and Jane's, having recently acquired a large album in which all the snap shots I have are mounted.  Of course I never inflict it on my visitors.  I just haul it out to show them a picture of themselves or some friend of theirs.  It is not my fault if  I have to explain that "This is my daughter and these are my grandchildren; and here is my other son and my daughter-in-law.  My daughter used to be leading woman in a stock company and my son is an artist - he illustrates all my books, etc., etc." Of course I have to tell them what a lovely trained voice you have. Chuck asked to see them.

I had a sweet letter from Joanne.  She has probably received my reply by this time.  I am delighted that she liked the little lei. I thought is was cute.

You ask, how I am.  About once a month I go to my doctor for a sort of check up.  I went this morning.  I have been suffering from insomnia.  Can't seem to sleep more than eight to ten hours a night. Last night I slept only eleven hours, with the result that the diningroom was closed when I awoke.  Had to go down town for breakfast.  The doctor says he is afraid that I shall live, not being able to find anything wrong with me.  I told him that I was worried because I felt so well.  I have no business to feel so well at my age.  I think he agreed with me. 

1298 Kapiolani Boulevard
Honolulu  T H

May 20 1942

Joan darling:

Thinking that you might like to see some of my playmates, I am enclos-
ing prints of some shots Hulbert made in January.  Have been all this 
time trying to get the negatives from him.  When they came, they were 
marked "Do Not Scratch, mark or fingerprint."  Jack will appreciate 
this.

Cecil Burnside is the wife of a submarine commander.  She hasn't seen 
him since October or November.  She has had a couple of cables from him 
filed at "Sansorigine". The first one had everybody in the hotel 
searching atlases to locate Sansorigine.  One bright guy said he knew 
just about where it was, but that it was not on his map.  Finally, some 
one realized that it was French for "without origin".  The location of 
his sub is, of course, a military secret.

Jean Armor's husband is a lieutenant on a cruiser.  She has been evacu-
ated.  She has a son in that military academy which is, I think, located 
at the old Whitley place near you.

"Duke" Willey is manager of the Remington-Rand branch here.  He is a 
major in the BMTC.  He has travelled the east for some concern for many 
years, and he and his wife are very familiar with Japan, Manila, Shanghai, 
Hong Kong, and Singapore.  One meets many interesting people at this 
"Crossroads of the Pacific".  They make me feel like a life-long shut-in. 
Many of the people at the hotel are as familiar with the Orient or Ger-
many or France as you are with Van Nuys.  Now that I might travel, I 
can't get off this little island; and, if I could, there is no place to 
go. 

Hulbert is getting in a little oftener.  He is in fine condition and 
seems quite contented.  When he comes in, we have a little tennis after 
lunch; but I have to get him down town to the bus that takes him to his 
post about 4 o'clock. He can never stay in overnight. 

I wonder what life will be like after the war is over.  A city lighted 
at night will be a strange sight to me, as will the freedom of the 
streets after dark.  I feel that I shall always be gasolene and rubber 
conscious when I drive.  I shall wonder if tomorrow I shall have butter 
or bacon.  If I can buy nails or thumb tacks or rubber bands.  If I can 
go about without running into barbed wire or sentries.  If I can mention 
the weather or the name of a ship.  After nearly six months of this life
I have become so accustomed to it that any other  will seem strange and 
unreal.  I hope that I live to see it. 

Tell me all the news when you write.  Lots of love to you all. 

Papa

Received your letter of the 16th today.  Thanks so much for the
offer of your stock.  I don't know what Ralph will decide about
the feasibility of making the transfers as gifts.  He definitely 
disapproved of sales for tax reasons.  I wonder if Americans will 
ever again be able to do what they wish with what belongs to them 
without being penalized. 

Shall look forward to receiving the picture of Joanne. Wish that 
I had a good one of you, too. 

Hully was in again Tuesday.  He likes to come in to sun bathe and 
swim.  He is looking fine. 

Sol Lesser's son, Bud, a Marine Corps captain, took me out to Camp 
Catlin for dinner that same evening.  He is a very nice chap.  Had 
invited several other officers to meet me, and after cocktails and 
a swell dinner, he ran three training films for us.

Life goes on in the same old way at the Niumalu.  Mary and Sue gave 
a big cocktail party Wednesday, and yesterday evening The Niumalu 
Chowder and Marching Club met, as it does every Thursday.  I won 
$8.80.  Millie and I play cribbage several times a week.  I almost 
always lose at that.  But at bridge I am a little luckier -- if I 
play with our regular foursome. 

It looks now as though I should never get home -- to many obstacles
in the way.  Also, I sha'nt live forever.

Lots of love,
Papa

Edgar Rice Burroughs
Tarzana, California       1298 Kapiolani Boulevard
Honolulu 42 Hawaii
6 September  1944

Dear Jack:

Yours of August 26 arrived yesterday and that of September 1, today.
Thanks to both and for the birthday greetings.  I don't expect any-
one to remember my birthday.  I have difficulty in remembering those
of others.

Hulbert was in yesterday, and I let him read your August 26 letter.
We were both delighted to hear of your new connection.  It sounds
might encouraging for the future.  It also sounds damned interesting 
and right up your alley.  Am glad that you are working under a nice
chap who appreciates your ability.  Harry Cohen, president of Colum-
bia, is an old friend of mine I'd hate like hell to work for him my-
self; so I am glad that you went with Universal. I used to have
friends there, but I suppose they are not there any longer.

Had a letter from Joan yesterday.  She seems to have been having a
wonderful time in Chicago, for which both Hulbert and I were very
glad. She has a lot of good times due here.

Wish that I might see Johnny and Danton before they grow long white 
beards. Johnny is cute. I can tell from the snap shots that have 
been sent me.  Am sure that Danton will be a great little guy, too.

Am glad that you got Johnny a rocking horse.  The two children must
keep Jane busy.  Maybe when Hitler is licked, there will be house
maids looking for jobs again; then it will be easier.  That should
be soon now.

Ralph has written me about Mother's ashes, and that he has arranged 
matters satisfactorily.  Thank you both very much for looking after
this for me.  I suppose it could have waited until my return, but I
have been gone so long now that I have more or less abandoned hope
of every returning.  If Japan is good for a hundred years, as she 
claims, it will be a long war.

May I ask you a foolish question?  I have asked Mildred and Ralph,
but neither has deigned to enlighten me.  I am motivated by nostal-
gia. I want some one to tell me how the flowering eucalyptus trees
around the tract have fared.  Also about the old walnut trees
on my lot behind the office and the other trees I had transplanted
there from the old homestead. Silly, eh?

Thanks again for your letters.  I know from experience how darned
expensive babies are; so if you need any financial assistance, let
me know.

Love to you all,
OB

Edgar Rice Burroughs
Tarzana, California

1298 Kapiolani Boulevard
Honolulu 42 Hawaii

                                   September 23 1944

Dear Jack:

Yours of the 19th with photos of Johnny and the glamour gal just
received.  Gosh! but they're cute.  I have already shown them 
to the only person in the vicinity of my office who is around
Saturday afternoons.  She loved 'em.  I shall take them to the 
hotel and put on a one man exhibition.  I'm a typical grand-
father.  Then I'll mail them to Hully along with a request that
he make copies for you, himself, and me.  He won't.

Thanks for the tree information.  I appreciate it.  It is amaz-
ing what water will do in that country.  The black walnut at the
office went both figuratively and literally nuts when it got a 
lot of water after we built there.  Thanks for the trees you 
planted on my lot.  I shall like them.  By the time I return, I
should have a forest there.

Hulbert has a terrible going home complex.  I think that if he
could get home for just a short leave it would fix him up. He 
might be damn glad to get back here.  From what I hear, we are
much better off than you folks. Ralph writes me that all he can
get to smoke are Juleps.  Migawd!

Am glad that Johnny likes his "Fony".  One cannot learn to ride
too young.  Give him my love, and tell Danton to take his fingers
out of his mouth and try putting his feet in.  That is far more
intriguing.

Love to you all!

OB

Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.
Tarzana, California
Telephone Rugby 6-1222
1298 Kapiolani Boulevard
Honolulu 42 Hawaii

September 16 1944

Dear Jane:

Was glad to have your letter of the 8th and to know that every-
thing is going so well.  As you didn't mention the children, I 
assume that they are O.K.

I haven't had a letter from you since a short note dated August 7.
But I don't expect to hear form you often, as I know how busy you
must be with two babies.  I wish that I might see them.

There is not much news here that you can't read in your papers.
When Jack Benny was here this week I had him and Larry Adler at
lunch at the Outrigger Canoe Club with some of my friends.  The
next day we all went as Jack's guests to see his show at one of 
the recreation centers here.  We had staff cars and a motorcycle
escort of MPs.  I rode to and from with Carole Landis.  She is
very lovely and very sweet. (Oh, to be seventy again!)  The aud-
ience at the show was almost as interesting as the show - some
18,000 to 20,000 service men.  They ribbed Jack, which is part of
every show he gives for them.  He is a swell guy - with no swelled 
head.

Joan must be home by now.  I had one letter from her from Evanston,
and was delighted to know how good a time she was having.

Am going out to Hickam this afternoon, and shall try to see Hulbert.
Tomorrow, I am invited to a party at the Hallidays on the other side
of the island.  He is John Halliday the stage and screen actor.  On
account of rubber and gas I have not seen much of them lately, as it
is quite a trip over the Pali to Kaneohe where they live.

My love to all of you!
Ed