April 25, 1916 - Among the blind, the one eyed man is King

As the letters start to come more often Joe's work also intensifies. He likes to keep Helen abreast of all that goes on in his life.

Tuesday noon

Dear Helen,

Though I intended to write yesterday, matters shaped themselves so that it was impossible to get at it. The Shelton Court kept me busy till 12:30 noon and promptly leaving, on my arrival here I found witnesses in the office for a case to be tried at 2. I skipped lunch to save time thinking that I’d finish about 3 or so and then could have a bite, and prepare for my address in the Episcopal Church at night. Well, the case lasted till 5 o’clock, it took about a half hour for me to don evening clothes and make the Derby train, and it was 8 o’clock before I knew it, and no supper. Well the address to me was fine. It was enthusiastically received; the Hubbard, Wise, Emerson and a few others should share the honors. Still, you know, among the blind, the one eyed man is King. I thought of this because a client with one mazda burned out just came in with a damage claim against a factory for the loss of his tungsten. I must have reduced ten pounds; but nobody loves a fat man.

Sincerely,

Joe

The next letter is April 26

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.