As you will see in the following long letter Joe was very busy in the summer of 1913. Helen and her family were enjoying some time away from the summer heat at Pine Forest Camp in Wingdale, New York. When you are done reading this amusing letter scroll to the end if the post to see the photo of Minnehaha that Joe spoke of in his letter.
July 19,1913.
My dear Helen:
"Well, it's about time he wrote". I can hear you say that as the envelope containing this letter is handed to you on your triumphant return from dinner.
Your 'little journey' contained so much matter and news and information, that to do it justice, I ought to get Elbert Hubbard to reply. And in passing let me add that in addition to your letter I also received the two pamphlets.
You made a good guess that "by the time you get this letter you will be in Cape May" remark, for while I should have been there, I am still in Bridgeport- but I assure you am not in Bridgeport Still . I had planned to get away last week,but then, you know the place that is paved with good intentions. The reason that I could not go was because I was working on several matters that would not hustle to a conclusion as much as I desired it, and a soldier cannot take a day off in the midst of a scrap,now can he?
In addition to that my brother's brother-in-law was engaged in a trial in Greenwich, and called me in to try the matter for him. I started thinking it would be completed in a day; but the last moment the other side retained the Secretary of State,of Connecticut,as his trial lawyer, and we were at it until late yesterday afternoon.You would have enjoyed the repartee that the Secretary and I engaged in, for we are old friends, he a Democrat and I a Republican, and every time I would refer to him as 'my distinguished brother - the Secretary of State' he would come back with something like this:
"why don't you quote somebody else but Mark Antony
with his 'And surely Brutus is an honorable man' tone of voice?"
Every trial of any importance,where the issues are at all complicated ,will afford any one much interest as they watch it being untangled; but here in the town of Greenwich with the Secretary of State on one side, and a lawyer from Bridgeport on the other, was surely the occasion for the populace to do as the policeman cried out against in Julius Caesar:"And do you now cull out a holiday,
And do you now put on your best attire,
And do you now strew flowers in his way etc"
The court room was jammed, and some kindhearted man met us at the station with an auto to escort us to Court. Can you beat it? And most interesting of all was the enthusiasm with which the gallery received the arguments of counsel. They were so enthusiastic on several occasions that they actually made so much noise that we were almost drowned out. The Court cleared the room, by ordering that the Sheriff remove all but the witnesses. As my little nephew says 'vot do you tink of dot?'
In addition to that I was in Waterbury for several days,and I sent you a card,where Henry Saltman kept me on the go; but then we were very successful, and I am glad of that. And while I think of it, he bought another auto yesterday of a lavender hue, so that he can now laugh at me twice, he owning two cars, and I only one (whenever I pay five cents) for the time being. And to add insult to injury, about a week ago we (he and I) spoke of going away for a week end,and thought perhaps we might run up to see you and the crowd in swimming, but if you recall, it rained terrifically on Saturday, and altho the roads were fine the next day, Henry thought he would not venture out on the muddy roads. So today when I met him I began to tell him about the trip, and for a time thought he would make it; but when he discovered that I would have to return tomorrow night (Sunday) so that I could get to Cape May on Monday, he called it off. It is quite a trip to make and return the same day, but the case demanded it. I have a chance to get away for about five days, and I'm going to take advantage of it before something butts in. Maybe a little later when I return I'll arrange to run up with him; or else get one of my other friends to take a spin in that direction. Mr. Williamson is soon to return from Canada and he would be glad to make the trip, I'm sure. But Saltman will make the trip I think, for he liked my description of the country, and the people, and the food.
And will you believe it, I haven't had a chance to get to New York since returning from Wingdale. I hardly know what the City is like, it's so long since I've been there. But I'll pass thru it tonight, and will try to stop off long enough to look up those 'Little Journeys'.
Last Sunday I went over to the shore to my brother's house, and went swimming in Long Island Sound. I found it much easier to swim in salt water than fresh water, but the taste is not so good. And just when I was getting up speed, a wave would come along and slam right into my right eye, and tunnel its way through one of my ears, and then I'd be looking for a good place to land.
I will spend a moment only in answering your letter. As I said there are so many things therein contained that if started I might use up reams of paper. For example, just see how you begin. 'I have just finished dressing for a birthday party'. What does that mean, that everybody was to wear only their birthday clothes? I refuse to figure out the ambiguous meaning. And then in the next breath you say it was very cool and a delightful breeze made us take our sweaters out.' Say, what kind of a party was that anyway? And just as I finish that sentence, I came to an abrupt end. There were a lot of ******or xxxxxx I'm not sure what they were intended to be. Well, I was stunned. I understood that that was 'harmful'. But my surprise was changed to laughter when I noted in the () the remark that denotes a lapse of time. If I keep on jollying about that interesting letter, I'm afraid you'll be offended; and wont write again; so as Mrs. Malaprop would say, 'I'll not do it,also pro and con'.
Again I find cause to smile. You say 'if you find it difficult to read it is because I was seated in a big rocker on the porch and I'm holding my writing tablet in my lap'. Then you add 'we walked across fields going about 1 1/2 miles, and back about 3 miles'. This reminded me of Joe Welch who says that when he came over on the boat they traveled seven days and sixteen nights. Again I meet the stars and stripes or the symbol you adopted to denote a lapse of time. Is that the lap you referred to?
Under date of Thursday however, you make some comment about my enjoying the Bridgeport walk (view in the postal) more than the maples, for its associations. I am still wondering what you mean.
Various friends of mine have seen the tintype of Minnehaha, and all they did was the haha without the minne. But they are convinced it is an Indian girl, especially because of the tall, erect carriage (why not an auto), the long black hair, those pearly white teeth, and the Sunny Jim smile. I let them rave on, and maybe before the summer is over a crowd of fellows may run up; for I told them that she had another sister also, and that they had better go up and see the lovely Indian maidens fair that are romping care free in the wilds of New York.
But how about those pictures of Mr. Oripahs*, that homely corn-fed from the country, who in a bathing suit, looks like a bag of saw dust tied in the middle? Do you recall him? He's the fellow that swims like the Titanic-on the bottom.
I hold in my hand (figuratively speaking) a postal from Karlsbad, one from Warsaw, one from Glasgow, one from Berlin, and one from Paris, all having arrived either this morning or yesterday, and in each-from different people mind ye a very strong suggestion to go abroad because of the many fine times I could have there. I can only quote my nephew again, but what's the use. Last night I met a lot of my old New Haven friends. Haven't I talked too much already? I fear it, and will hike for home and mother to pack my grip** and hasten away for a few days. If you do write, address me as usual at this place,and it will be forwarded.
Regards to all.
Sincerely, Joe
* Mr Oripahs is Mr Shapiro spelled backward. Insight from my mother (his daughter).
** grip is a small suitcase
Here is the photograph (tintype) that Joe spoke of in the letter. It was in reference to the photograph that Helen had sent him of herself with long braids and a beautiful smile.
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