Wednesday, 5 ³⁰

Dearest little love:

I am seeing a wonderful sunset, with flaming red clouds over the mountains, and I wish that you were here to see it with me. The country has been beautiful all afternoon-the foothills in the soft light, with their patches of green meadows, then the rocky hills of color, the colorful calicos, and now for hours the serrated mountains that project out of the desert, sometimes dark in the shadow and sometimes brilliant in a steam of sunlight.

I have read many applications-looking up at the mountains after each one. You would have been tickled with me suddenly come upon Miss Mabel Fossler, age 55-plan, to write a book "Appreciation-A study of World Cultural Values"-or Miss Mary Gushurst-plan-"I propose to become the Premiere Ballerina of metropolitan Opera Company."

For lunch I had cold bouillon (very good), roast beef on au jus, mashed potatoes, and french bread (all very good). I am now, at 5 ³⁰ , not very hungry. If this train would stop long enough I would have a malt for supper, but it may not, and I may not, and I may have to go to the dining car, where it will be hard to get a light meal.

It was cold at Barstow, where I bought some shaving cream; but I see snow only on some distant mountains. The sun has now set, and it is getting dark.

I have not spoken to any body on the train-there aren't many passengers, and those are not attractive. As I began to make my purchase at Barstow on ike [sic] (from Hollywood, probably)

rushed up, got in front of me, yelled for service-and bought a 3-cent stamp.

I shall mail this at needles at 625, and you will surely get it tomorrow. I hope that you and Miss Rooke enjoy the ballet tonight. Please don't work too hard, darling-rest, and don't let your cold get worse. Remember that your husband loves you more than anything in the world. I had fun with you this morning. Little Crelly is a darling, and so are Linda and Peter and Linus. Give my love to them, and to Tyl-but keep most of it for yourself. You are my own sweet little wife, and I adore you and worship you. Love, love, love from your own.

Linus

[Later added in LP's handwriting]

1939 or 1940

[Letterhead:]

A.H.P.

Wednesday the 14^th 2.P.M.

[Later added in LP's handwriting]

Feb

Dearest Love:

Crellie and I retraced our steps without incident. The noon day traffic wasn't bad, and I made all stops satisfactorily. Crellie thought the train was wonderful.

I hope that you had a nice lunch. You know that I can't find any J.S.Q.M.F. booklet where you said they were eg. at the right of the fireplace. The Rosenwald [?], the common wealth, the Carnegie, the Rockefeller, etc, etc but no Guggenheim. But I haven't exhausted my resources yet. (I've had trouble with this resources)

You looked very handsome and with the properly roving eye which I fancy won't pass unnoticed. I'd almost bet on you.

It is sunny over the valley and is beautiful but it is raining here still.

[page 2]

I didn't say one word to Crellie on the way home and he said nothing to me. He is a darling. I wished I'd dressed him better. He is having some discomfort from those back teeth.

I miss you very much and I hope you won't do this the rest of your life- still if it isn't this it will be something else!

My love to you. You mustn't waste too much time on people who aren't important. I'd skip the obviously worthless applications.

Give my sincere greetings to Moe [?] and to any other warm (?0 friend whomever you may encounter. Love, love, love. Ava Helen Pauling

February 14, 1940

Mr. E. C. Barrett

California Institute

Dear Mr. Barrett:

A few days ago Professors Sturtevant and Haagen-Smit and I talked with you about the misunderstanding regarding apparatus and supplies for bio-organic chemistry. In previous years Professor Haagen-Smit has obtained, on the Biology Budget, about $1200 to $1500 worth of apparatus and supplies per year. Last spring I suggested to him that this material be included in our order and cheeked out from our stockroom as needed. It was my opinion that this would be a more efficient and economical way of handling the orders, since we get a better price for glassware in case lots than in smaller quantities and since the Crellin stockroom is conveniently situated for Haagen-Smit and his men. Professor Haagen-Smit agreed, and we purchased $3000 worth of apparatus and supplies for him. Professor Haagen-Smit and his men have now checked out material coming to $2262.07.

Whereas I had expected that this material would be paid for by the Biology Department as it was checked out of our stockroom, Professor Haagen-Smit thought that the material would be supplied from the Chemistry Rockefeller Budget without charge to Biology. In discussion with you, we reached the agreement that about one half of the sum involved, would be absorbed in the Rockefeller Budget, and that the remainder, $1263.22, would be tentatively transferred to the Biology Budget. I shall, however, make an effort to keep a part of the Rockefeller Budget from being expanded, in order to absorb some of this latter sum, if possible. Professor Haagen-Smit's work in bio-organic chemistry is such that it is not inappropriate to include its support, in part at least, under the Rockefeller Fund during the present year.

I request accordingly that an interdepartmental charge of $1268.22 .on the Biology Department from Chemistry Fund be made.

Apparatus and chemicals and supplies amounting to $l042.45 have been checked out from the stockroom for microchemistry. Please credit the Chemistry Fund with this sum, from the Rockefeller, microanalysis and Stockroom.

The Crellin Fire Fund, Laboratory Equipment, Apparatus and Chemicals, totalling $3292.18, has now an approximate balance of $1900. Of this sum about $550 will be drawn on later in connection with the losses in Dr. Buchman's researches. The remaining losses in apparatus and chemicals have been made up by drawing on our stockroom. I request accordingly that the chemistry fund be credited with the sum of $1860.00 from the Crellin Fire Fund, Laboratory Equipment, Apparatus and Chemicals.

Respectfully yours,

Linus Pauling

LP/j