February 5, 1917 - The main topic of conversation or even greeting now is war talk.

Well now as you will see the United States is in a major discussion of war. Of course we know how it played out but it is really interesting to read his letters because it was news at the time. I am posting the photograph that he mentions in the letter directly below. This was originally posted on September 18, 1916.

 This was Helen's engagement photograph taken in New York City at the Bachrach Studios.

February 5,1917.

My darling:

It is very likely that if I had not taken the 11:15 last night, that there would have been a pretty mess. Why, when I arrived at Bridgeport last night, the snow was piled high, and all traffic was blocked. As it was, I managed to get to mother's at a fairly reasonable hour; but do not know what might have happened a couple of hours later. And you should have seen the nice white blanket that was spread out over Bridgeport to-day. The snow fell very thickly all day, and now about seven, as I am getting ready to close the office, it has stopped, but it is very cold. This sounds like a weather report, doesn't it?

I am supposed to go to Hartford tomorrow, as you know, and now that I think of it, a year ago to-day it snowed just as badly, and continued thought the next day; for the morning we landed at the capitol, we ran into a beautiful blizzard, and were kept indoors all that day; but not as pleasantly as I spent Sunday, I can assure you, if need be. It brings to mind Ex President Taft's jest on his inauguration, when he had a blizzard on hand, and said that he knew it would be a cold and wintry day when he would be president.

This looks to me like it's going to be a lonesome night. There are plenty of things to do, but had I my way, there is just one place I would want to be, but what's the use?

It would do your heart good to see yourself in a pretty thin gold frame, peering at every one who intrudes into the "parlor". It is hung directly over the grafanola. And the light effect is just right, so that it presents a very striking and beautiful picture. While the pictures always impressed me, they did not seem as if it would be possible to have them so much more effective as this one is in its new dress. And there is the exception to the rule that good looking people never take good pictures. And still I insist that mine is dandy in full compliance with the axiom, just mentioned.

Very naturally, the main topic of conversation or even greeting now is war talk. That is on your lip and leaps forth instantly. The streets are ringing with the newsies cries of “wuxtree". (Extra, Extra read all about it!)  After having glances at three or four papers to-day, I am still convinced that this Country is not seeking trouble, but has come out squarely for a strict compliance with international law by all the belligerents with regard to the rights of neutrals. Isn't it wonderful how the whole nation has become as one in standing solidly behind our president, and regardless of political divisions, the whole nation is a unit in upholding him in his wise course. At this time, we do not know where it will lead us; but we do know that it took thousands of years to build up an established and well defined set of rules governing the rights of neutrals and non-combatants in time of war, and it is only just and proper that a nation such as ours established to secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in every sense of the word, should be the leader to demand a compliance with such rules and demand that every nation abide by them till changed by agreement of those who made them.

This country is still neutral, I believe; and it was a remarkable utterance the president made when he said that even now he does not believe that the imperial government desires to involve us in the conflict, and that he will not believe it until it has clearly commit­ted such acts as it threatens to. I cannot conceive of greater patience?

Quite a splurge on the war? All the men are talking it, and this is a little overflow.

But the saddest part of it all is that instead of millions being diverted to the aid of the stricken and suffering in all the lands, regardless of the nationality, and the strength of the comfort ren­dered to the widows and orphans, all that must now be stopped, and a cold, calculating policy of what is best and most necessary to be done to prepare for that terrible thing that might any moment occur must now be undertaken, with millions spent for preparation and defense; and with a sudden stoppage of that feeling of friendship unconsciously as the nation talks of what may next happen ,and what should next be done in this most momentous period of the entire world's history.

It is almost tempting to wish to tear aside the veil of the future and try to peer in and attempt to discover what it holds in store; but we know that the time is not far distant when perhaps we shall be able to resume our pursuits in the same peaceful mind as before, and that perhaps without our seeing the reason for it, we are being prepared for better things in the process of evolution,

I had better stop for I'll land in the middle of another speech. With stacks of love,

I am, as you are absolutely positive,

Your 

Joe

I signed it this time nest ce pas?

Here is a funny ad for a Columbia Grafonola that Joe mentioned in relation to the portrait of Helen.

See the link above for more information.

The next letter is February 13