Wednesday, December 31, 2014

December 31, 1914 - With best wishes for a Happy New Year

It has been some time since I have made an entry on the blog. There were no letters that I have and time has not allowed me to post articles. Perhaps I will catch up on some of the interesting articles in the future. Here is a letter Joe wrote Helen as 1914 was coming to a close. As you can see from the postmark this was sent at 11:30 PM just before 1915 rang in.

This is a very little envelope, measuring 4" by 2 3/4". That would not make it thru our mail system today. I am assuming that was what he had at hand at the time. I love the nice little touch with the sealing wax in the corner of the front page with his initial S in gold.





December 31, 1914
Dear Helen,
I haven't written sooner, because I have been expecting daily to go to New Hampshire, and though I had an appointment to be there last week, the attorney wired that he would be away a couple of days, and that I could see him this week. Yet this week, and I might add, this year, is almost ended and no word has been received.

The chances are that it will be next week but I will make sure that it will not be on Friday.

I shall now endeavor to go there on the 11th and so dispose of it.

Last Saturday I not only had your invitation; but also two here, but I was so occupied that I couldn't get to any place at all. You must have had a great time at the house and I regret my inability to be present.

I almost went to New York today, which would have given me a chance to see the New Year in, in the big City, but my brother took advantage of that.

However, I have been invited to hear "Manon Lescaut" tomorrow night - with Caruso in the cast, and I will be in New York for that event.

Last Sunday I met a very brillant young man - Felix Frankfurter of N.Y. He graduated from Harvard in 1906 Law, received cum laude, he has a key; and this fall was elected to a profesorship in the Harvard Law School. He gets to New York occasionally and I expect to meet him there in a few weeks. With this in mind I will not speak of school matters. With best wishes for a Happy New Year

I am sincerely,
Joe

I have included link to the opera "Manon Lescaut" and one to Caruso for information on the amazing performance Joe mentions in the letter.
I have also included a link to information on Felix Frankfurter whose name may sound familiar. Joe was right in his insight of this 32 year old attorney. As you will see he went on to have a very brilliant career.
Here is a photo of Felix Frankfurter in later life.



The next letter that I have is from March 23. My hope is to post more articles to fill in in the meantime.