Johnny pops the question (March 29, 1945 - Annex B)

I was going through my great-aunt's correspondence today, in a reverie about my grandmother's sister after uploading to YouTube some 8mm films she had made of her life and travels. The correspondence was a collection of letters from the 1940s and later, from her husband Mitch, her sister (my grandmother), and some friends. The earliest of them was a letter the text of which follows.

Aunt Lela married her sweetheart Bill Porter in 1938, but they divorced not long afterward because, as Lela put it, "he wouldn't stop running around." When the second world war came, she volunteered her services at the USO in Indianapolis, playing accordion and dancing with the military men between her sets. Her mother insisted that this was an inappropriate activity for a young woman, especially a young divorced woman. But Lela was convinced that she wasn't so young anymore (early 30s), and that she would be perceived by her audience and dance partners "like an older sister."

In January 1994, I visited Lela at her home in Palm City, Florida, and she showed me her letters for the first time then. One of them, from a soldier with whom she had danced numerous times during his term at Fort Benjamin Harrison, near Indianapolis. Johnny and she had struck up a fun acquaintance, but she was concerned that she may have given him just the impression her mother had feared she would when she received the following:

U. S. ARMY
March 29, 1945
Annex B 

My Dearest Lela:
          You probably will be shocked at my forwardness but I have tried time and time to lead up to the matter, but somehow never could.  Since it has been on my mind for several weeks, I have at last summed up enough courage to ask you.  Ever since I met you, you were very friendly, but as the weeks and months passed by, that feeling seemed to grow into something beautiful and sincere that it became practically indescribable.  I never thought, darling, that such a thought could ever enter my mind, especially at such a young and tender age, but alas here it is.  I don't know wheather (sic) it is fitting or proper to ask you such a serious question as this, for it may effect (sic) your future happiness and I would not want that.  I know, dearest, that you are much older, but you do have the mental ability.  However, I do know whatever your reply may be, that you will be true enough never to tell it to anyone.  Remember, it is just you and I.  You realize, Honey, that you are the only one in the world I would dare to ask this question.  In reply be positive, sincere and truthful, and above all dispence (sic) with all thought of tenderness, but be honest, tell me: Do you really think the Lone Ranger should sell his horse if he is drafted?
                                                                                 Johnny
P.S. -
          Hope this keeps you in good spirits for the weekend and a Happy Easter Day. Bye until I call.

The letter is written so that it breaks between the first and second page after "never to tell it to anyone." Page 2 begins, "Remember, it is just you and I." I can't help but wonder whether this letter was original to "Johnny" or if it was a meme of its day circulated from military men to their USO friends.

I imagine the latter. There's a "so" missing just before "beautiful and sincere," and other parts also make it seem copied. However, "wheather" and "effect" and "dispence" may be tell-tale indicators of an original piece, especially since the c in "dispence" is written over another letter.

Anyway, I too hope this keep you in good spirits for the weekend.