March 7, 1916 - We had a real blizzard all day and night, but the crowd braved the storm.

Here is the follow up letter to the previous letter of March 5th. And Joe report to Helen of the great success of the charity Ball. It is interesting to me as I transcribe his letter about this terrible blizzard that the event went on and with great success. Today that would not be the case it would have been cancelled due to snow.

Tuesday afternoon
My dear Helen,

Our charity Ball last night was a grand success in every sense of the word.  From first reports, it seems as if the proceeds will exceed previous affairs of a like nature.
Of course we had a real blizzard all day and night, but the crowd braved the storm just the same and turned out en masse.

I had a glorious time! Just note this Sunday afternoon drove to Ansonia (16 miles) with Judge Sanders, and ran into a pretty wild storm; lashing our faces terribly. Returned at night to work at the hall for the Ball. All day yesterday from early morn till 6 o'clock at the hall with the decorators, etc. arranging minor details etc; like carting furniture, moving all kinds of things, having floral decorations adjusted. Then in the blizzard at 6 to Shelton to attend a town meeting. I forgot to say that the strikers kept me in court during part of the day; but having concluded at about nine, found that no trains or cars were running. Everything snowbound. So I looked up a friend and got out his car, and it took over three hours to go ten miles. And oh! what a trip!

Arrived at the Ball just at midnight; stayed till 2, then helped lock up, back again this A.M. at 8 to have properties removed and returned.

In the office at work again this afternoon, and it feels good to get relief once more.

Tonight, some choir-music at a large meeting. Maybe some rest tomorrow; but who know?

Say,  but your letter was a dandy; have read it several times, and it is fine.

How extra- ordinary that we should write at the same time about sunshine and cheerfulness. This letter is more like "simple life" that anything else.

I'll bet you'll have a good time tonight at the banquet.

Sincerely yours,
Joe

The next letter is April 6.

March 5, 1916 - If I were founding a new religion its first commandment would be "You shalt be cheerful".

This is the first letter that Joe addresses Helen as "My dear Helen". I assume, an interesting this indicates a turn of events in their friendship.

Sunday morning

My dear Helen,

Promptly upon arriving this morning, I went to the office,  to meet with the chairmen of the various committees, and as no one has as yet appeared, take advantage of the few moments to write - as per request.

The train was not crowded, and was but slightly delayed, yet it afforded the early risers an excellent opportunity to get a little of that stuff that *"knits the raveled sleeve of care". And you may be certain that it required no crooning melody non mandragora (without narcotic) to co-operate. One rather stout man in front of me - surely must have been a lumberman - for he was sawing some delightful patterns in hickory, and every time he struck a "knot", both he and I awoke. Had my memory been keen I might have thought that "Macbeth doth murder sleep".

Speaking of Macbeth, enclosed is a clipping reviewing the story a la Billy Sunday or Mr. Dooley.
Also enclosed is a clipping from the Sunday paper, and if you look real carefully you might discover a familiar map.

Haven't had breakfast , but when dinner arrives, turkey will be thrown for a great loss.
Barnet - who has been indisposed for some time - expects - as I have just heard on the phone - to go to Sunday School this morning. And I am going to make the men put on high, open mufflers and get through so that I may be able to take him. Sunday School is a good place for me today.

Several have just arrived and by the time their coats are off, I may not be able to complete this and get it off today. Isn't the writing unusually choppy and unfamiliar?

In **The Fra, which lies before me, as it usually does, I noticed as I looked up, "cheerfulness is more precious than great riches". If I were founding a new religion its first commandment would be "You shalt be cheerful". But we need no new commandments. The famous ten breathe that spirit. So, as a closing word, it might not be amiss just to say, as dear old Hubbard used to, "Radiate happiness".

Sincerely,
Joe

* Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2
 ** The Fra a magazine written by Elbert Hubbard

The next letter will be on March 7.