October 28, 1913 - The political situation here . . .

In this letter Joe gives insight into what was happening in the political arena in Bridgeport, CT as election day was approaching. From his tone about the Republican party vs. the Progressive party it is not much different than politics today.

October 28,1913
Dear Helen,
Here's the blue paper again. It was handy, so I used it.
I have made arrangements to be in New York Friday and Saturday of this week; and I might be induced to stay over Sunday. If I am not mistaken Dr. Wise will speak anent* (concerning; about) political times on Sunday morning.

The political situation here is a cross between a flaming caldron and perdition itself. All the parties are split into factions, and they in turn into classes. For example, I am a Republican. So is my brother. Yet his father-in-law is a Progressive and is on the Progressive ticket. It looks almost like father against son. To liven matters, my sister-in-law was proposed as a candidate for the Board of Education on the Progressive ticket. She was persuaded to decline the nomination for many reasons. On of the strong ones was, that she has two babies and plenty of work, as it is, at home, outside of the Republican affiliation of her hubby. But instead, Mrs. Davis is running for that position. She is the wife of the President of the Locomobile Co. of America.

But, then, you have your school work to do, and I shouldn't take up your time.
So with kindest regards I am
Sincerely
Joe

Here is a portrait of Rabbi Stephen Wise taken between 1920 and 1940.

Above is an example of an auto in 1913 made by the Locomobile Co. of America


The next letter will be on November 3rd.

October 23, 1913 - Murder in the second degree

Joe continues his professorial teasing in response to Helen's letter. This shows the much experienced 27 year old now six years out of college, teaching the 20 year old college sophomore. Following the transcription of the letter, which has some links to interesting information, is part of the Yale News.

October 23, 1913
Dear Helen,
As I was reading your letter and thought of a reply, my eye lit on this paper.I presume there is a box of it around somewhere, and will ask my sister for an envelope.

To settle the question whether I expect to be in New York next week, I can say yes! In fact, as matters appear at this distance, the probabilities are that it will require two days in the city and I shall endeavor to arrange accordingly.

It made me feel good to learn that you enjoyed what seemed to me to be a dull and ordinary letter, but the the good parts must have been the quotations from Service. But it made me smile to read about the three sizes of paper you have for writing.The letters I generally received were cute affairs  on stationary in direct competition with the size and proportion of a parcel-post stamp. But even so I marveled at the great abundance of news you could get into so small a space, and the volume of information you could import in such close quarter.

Do you remember "In all for the Ladies" Sam Bernard in being introduced to nobility, in reply to their 'we are delighted to meet you' he answers 'the pleasure is municipal?' That is the reply I feel like making to your expression of regret at my inability to visit New York Saturday.

And I regret even more so that I couldn't be in New York City Sunday (of course I passed thru on the way to Jamaica but I don't mean that part of N.Y.); especially when I read:
"I spent last Sunday afternoon lying (since when have you become professional?)[rather reclining]on the couch in the library while Butz held my hand . . .". I will make absolutely no comment whatever in addition to what I have already said.

Yet I must say that it is good to learn that some surgeons were disappointed in not carving you into a frazzle for appendicitis, and I am glad that the "attack" is playing in 42nd Street and not at 111th.

I have just mailed my application for the tickets for the Yale-Princeton Game and will probably know in a week or so how many will be allocated. The game, you recall, is to be played at New Haven on November fifteenth.

For the past three days I assisted in the trial of a murderer. The man went up to an enemy who was supposed to have broken up, or tried to at any rate, his home, and shot him.

I assisted the prosecution, and after the jury deliberated for a long time, they returned with a verdict of murder in the second degree. He was promptly sentenced to life imprisonment. That was my first really serious case that arose while I have been Prosecuting Atty.

Referring to that session you had with Butz.last Sunday, Watt's Poem might be appropriate

"My willing soul would stay
In such a place as this
and sit and sing herself away
To Everlasting bliss".

If you want to answer this you can refer to Peg's statement to Jerry on the subject.

Barking dogs don't bite, you know. The best time, says Elbert, to stop talking is before you tell all you know.

Here goes. Regards,
Sincerely
Joe


Below is the front page of the Yale News from November 19, 1913. This is the date that Joe mentions that they will be going to the football game. Yale did not win but neither did  Princeton.

 

In the eight page paper that was handed after the game it is interesting to note that the ads were either for clothing, mostly shirts, or smoking. Here is an example of some of the tobacco ads. The Fatima ad was a full page.    

The next letter will be October 28th.

October 13, 1913 - As seas of ink I splatter . . .

This letter weaves Joe's work, religious life and his interest in a well known poet, of the time, into  an interesting story. As we are about to observe Columbus Day we can see from his letter that in 1913 it was not a federal holiday. Enjoy the poetry and his mother's words of wisdom.

October 13, 1913
Dear Helen,
    I have just finished up for the day. You see in these country places patriotism is rampant, especially when it means that you are exempt from work. You would actually think 'twere Sunday.

    My reason for writing is this. I wish to thank you and your folks as sincerely as I can for the kind invitation to spend the Yom Kippur services with them and for the generous hospitality accorded me. In my enthusiasm to pass the queen of spades with the ace and King of hearts, I forgot the first principles of a gentlemen and a guest. But who ever accused me of such anyhow?
    Referring to Robert W. Service _ the Poet of the Yukon - who I am reading these days, I can recall one of his verses apropos of my writings.

"I have no doubt at all the Devil grieves, As seas of ink I splatter, Ye gods, forgive my "literary" faults,The other kind don't matter".

    This poet has also been called the Kipling of Canada. He deals with the icy north, where everybody is out for gold and then when they get oodles of it, lay down and die like dogs in their tracks. That's what he meant when he says:

"Yet look you, if I find the stuff it's just like
so much dirt;
I fling it to the four winds like a child.
There's a city, there's an airing (hear them shout)
There's the gold there in millions, but I haven't
got a cent.
And oh, it's me, it's me that found it out".

    When I read those trials and tribulations and their hardships and never ending suffering, I look out of my  window on this cold and bleak October day and thank heaven that I'm alive. His poetry just grips your heart and gives it a slight turn.
    But this is not an essay on Service; at least not intentionally so.
    And a moment ago a friend of mine called me up and asked if I thought he ought to get a copy of The American Bible or "The Message to Garcia." Know what I told him? To use Barnet's words, I said, "get bofe."
    Mother was delighted to hear that I attended Orthodox services. She had a twinkle in her eye as I told it to her, but then I've known her a long time and so can see what she was thinking. Then she said something about once a Jew always etc; and more of that same talk. Bur here is a thought that she has that's a hummer. She says that the English boast that it takes three generations to make a gentlemen. And she adds this corollary. "But it takes a thousand generations to make a Jew. So son, there is a heritage you Jewish young men ought to be thankful for." Some mother, that!
    Well, I started out to thank you for your kind invitation. I had a delightful time. I fear to become too eloquent, thinking of Jerry and the remark Peg made to him. So convey my regards to your folks and save some for yourself.

Sincerely,
Joe

Here is a photograph of Joe's mother Esther Spitz Shapiro. "Some mother, that!"

Below is a photograph of Robert W. Service in 1905 at the age of 31. Quite a dapper man known as the renown poet of the Yukon.

The next letter will be on October 23.

October 8, 1913 - Ye gods and little pui fishes!

Here is a long funny letter from Joe topics that I could search and find links to for your amusement. He mentioned the World Series so I will start the post with an illustration from the 1913 series between New York and Philadelphia.  After the letter I have included some more photos pertinent to this letter.

Sad for Joe Philadelphia won the series.

 

 

October 8, 1913
Dear Helen,
How I regret that I ever said I would not criticize any more of your letters. Ye gods and little pui fishes! What would I do to the last one. For example you said that "last night I wrote you a four page epistle" etc. How strange! Monday night I think I was reading Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians.

Then you say you returned home and found a friend waiting, and forgot to mail(underline) the speeches - one being to a girl. From that I assume there must have been some class to the fellow who was waiting, for you to get so ruffled (as Shakespeare put it) as to forget to mail (get the gender) the letters.

But I said I wouldn't do it , so I'll pass up the remainder of the letter; except to reply to it. I shall be very glad to accept the invitation to spend Yom Kippur at Temple with you. I think that idea of preventing your mother from fasting a good one. Do you think you could trust me to look after her diet that day?

You ask for my plans. I will leave Bridgeport Friday afternoon about 4 so as to arrive in New York about 5:30. In all probability I will stop at the Elks as usual, though I may, for convenience, check up at some first class place (Hotel), uptown, if I can find one. Presumably Kol Nidre will be said about 8P.M. nicht wahr*?  Or do you commence earlier? After I arrive I have no definite plans, but to stay til Sunday or Monday as the case may be.

Outside of having loads of work ahead of me that seems almost unsurmountable, I am very much interested in the World's Series. If Florrie will ask my namesake, he'll tell her to tell you what I mean by that.

It made me smile when I read that your rabbi has such a beautiful voice, for last night  against my consent I was persuaded to go to an opera here called "Aida." Hadst thou ever heard of it? To say that their scenery was horrid, is only complimenting them. But when you think of the soloists, mon dieu! also Ishgabible!*** My entire vocabulary of vituperation** is exhausted before I begin to comment. Out of pure respect for my sister-in-law who was with our crowd I stayed through the performance. It was the worst I ever saw.

I'm glad you like the "Sweden" song. And I'm more than happy to learn that Lillie has got something else besides "Mammy Jerry's" and "Good Bye Boys" to pound away at.

The Chief of Police of Shelton just phoned that the have a brace of dips that he wants examined. That means two pickpockets and I'll run over and quiz them about the whereabouts of some valuable purses that have disappeared here lately.
Kindest regards from

Yours sincerely
Joe
Oh! (That's your way of saying N.B. - which stands for no bull) I am enclosing  Barnet's picture. He's the fellow with the white socks.

* nicht wahr means "isn't that so?" in German
** vituperation means bitter and abusive language
*** Ishgabibble (Ische ga bibble) means I should worry.  See link above.

This photograph was taken at the Polo Grounds after the third game information is linked here.

What an amazing crowd gathered at the Polo Grounds for the World Series. The close proximity of the teams was most likely a big help for the east coat crowds.

Notice the price on the ticket.

This is the cover of the sheet music for "Isch Ga-Bibble" a popular song from 1913. See above link for more about Isch Ga Bibble.

The next letter will be on October  13.

October 3, 1913 - "Three little love bees."

October 1913 brings a little more correspondence from Joe. This first letter was written to send good wishes for a Happy New Year (Rosh Hashana) which was celebrated on October 2, 1913.

October 3, 1913
My dear Helen,
I am very grateful for your kind New Year's wishes; and reciprocate them.
I would have sent you a card, but I haven't sent any for the last few years to anyone. I used to do it, but occasionally would forget someone, and then never heard the end of it. So I do not send out any. Sauve! or Compranez?

I regret that I could not stay over till tonight; but I must have caught cold in the storm Tuesday, for I felt very indisposed Wednesday night when I came to New York, and was rather out of sorts yesterday. For that reason I thought I'd go home, but feel O.K. again.
Joke. Listen! I met those people I saw last Sunday (the green hat in Rockfall) while on my way to the train yesterday. Another jest. An opera company will give Aida here Tuesday night.

And say, what do you think? Within the past fifteen minutes, I've caught three big fat bumble bees. As Barnet would say "I skeesed 'em to deaff." It seems as I were in it to be stung. Why, they've nearly got my angora. This phrase appears in the October Philistine in the article on chick raising I believe. But I know how they arrived.

On Monday the Spring Maid plays here, and they must have been the "Three little love bees." However, their days are no more.

I am hopeful of being in New York a couple of days next week to see the great ball games, if I can get tickets.

With kindest greetings for a Happy New Year filled with lots of happiness and health, I am

Sincerely
Joe

The next letter will be October 8.