Friday, April 23, 1943

Dear Diary,

Next to what actually happened Wednesday, I got my biggest thrill in a long time out of an article by Felix McKnight in this morning’s paper. The caption was “Hope Thrills Girl As He Sells Bonds.” It read, “Bob Hope has gone, bless him, but there’s one more story to be told.

“In the bustle of his bond sale at Dallas Country Club Wednesday afternoon a pretty, young girl shyly stepped up to Hope and caused him to sink to his knees in a swoon as she whispered she would pay $10,000 for his autograph.

“The story behind that is:

“The girl was 16-year-old Muriel Windham, student at Sunset High School, and she’s an A student. Her greatest weakness is Bob Hope.

“So her dad, Charles W. Windham, told her Tuesday night he would give her a $10,000 check for war bonds so she could meet Bob at his Wednesday rally.

“Hope treated her beautifully. He sat her down on the platform, left the mike occasionally to dash over, feel her pulse, stroke her brow and leave a light kiss on her forehead.

“Muriel came home in a daze –failed to sleep a wink all night. At last reports Thursday she still hadn’t gone to sleep!”