November 3, 1913 - The Optimist

So far, this is the most difficult letter to transcribe. But it was very creative. So I hope you can follow this 5 part correspondence.

Here is the view that Helen got when she held the letter up to the light.

November 3, 1913
Dear Helen,

1

While in a wholesale grocery house today I saw a little book called "The Optimist". If you hold this up to the light and look via the back of this page you will see what I saw. Then I opened the cover and beheld this - without comment. To be accurate I changed the quote slightly.

2

While on the trolly I was reading the Journal. Gadzooks! And here is what I saw (arrow pointing to article).

3

Everybody here is talking about the bad team Yale has. Everybody has their hammer out, and are not afraid of the sound. For that reason this clipping in this mornings New York American was music to my soul. I remember you asked how a tone could be dark; how colors could be soft. Well, how about hearing with the soul? Has this survival value? On my life - No!

4

I don't know what that impression that remark about the smell of fallen leaves, burning brush etc. conveys to you; but in these parts in the residential localities you can see piles of dark brown, yellow red and green leaves smouldering away,perfuming the air with an incense tinted aroma indescribable.

5

I will be in New Haven tomorrow, and will endeavor to see what arrangements are being made for the Princeton game. The cashier of the Bank today asked me to favor him with two tickets.I replied, says I, "if Yale plays as rotten as it has, you can have mine". But I had not seen this then. Say, what kind of a pout-pouri is this anyway?
Joe

We can think of the departed summer without regret on these glorious autumnal days that smell of fallen leaves, burning brush and roasting chestnuts. Going to the football game next Saturday 15th?

Big Seat Demand for Football Games

Any doubt regarding- the popularity of intercollegiate football is removed by the deluge of applications pouring in upon those in charge of the ticket distribution for the big games of the season.

From present indications the seating capacity of the various fields upon which the Yale-Harvard, Army-Navy, Harvard-Princeton, Pennsylvania-Cornell and Princeton-Yale games will be played will be unequal to the demands already being filed by alumni, undergraduates and their, friends

---

The Yale back field looked particularly good on the offense during the march down the field in the second quarter. The play off tackle and runs were almost irresistible.  Another bright spot in the Yale offense was the splendid kicking of Knowles.
Undoubtedly Yale's kicking will be a big factor in the game with Princeton and Harvard, for given a rush line that can withstand a strong attack arid a good consistent kicker, any team can hold off a much stronger opponent. Yale has plenty of first-class material and with proper handling can round out a team in two weeks that will surprise the football world.

Below is an ad for Campbells's Soup from 1913 that you can see in Joe's letter.

The next letter is on December 2.

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.

September 18, 1913 - You have entered your second score.

Here is a very long letter that Joe wrote Helen one day after her 20th birthday. This long letter is filled with stories from his daily life, family updates, theater and his humor.

September 18,1913.
Dear Helen:
If you will recall, I told you that I had started to write you a letter, but could not complete it. I have it still, and if you want it, I am enclosing it for you. It starts to tell of what happened on Sunday afternoon. After this preliminary opening in which the men (about seventy five in the class)were feeling in good humor and were ready to listen to a talk on any subject—from religion to politics, judging from the remarks, I launched into the discussion.
I had had a very enjoyable morning at the service, had a dandy dinner, and a very pleasant afternoon, and when I began to talk felt very satisfied with things. And as I went along the air seemed to be teeming with ideas, and all I had to do was to reach out and pluck one whenever it was necessary. And here is something to make you show those most wonderful teeth. Do you recall my fingering the "Message to Garcia" to the great discomfort of Butz, and reading a snatch of it here and there-when nobody was looking? As a matter of fact I read it exactly three times that afternoon in your house-once to the accompaniment of Morning Mood-and I used this as my theme. A general outline in rough of how I planned the talk out was as follows: to tell the story of Rowen, with a few remarks by Elbert H.,to talk about some of the remarkable achievements of Christ and their influence, to discuss similar and even greater achievements by the Old Testament heroes and seers, and concluding with the thought that each of these men were sent to deliver a message to Garcia-the world:; and that while it was necessary to do honor to the bearers of all good messages, the essential was to believe the message, carry out its summons, and perform all its commands, and to worship and obey the sender not the messenger. And then some pleasantries and the talk was no more. Of course spread out for three quarters of an hour it perhaps would appear a little better than the crude outline just given; but it gives you a fairly good idea what I raved about-as my sister here remarked when I told home what had happened.
That was some paragraph. And according to Hoyle it is technically correct. It has only one topic for discussion in it. For further reference to this call on Lil-you know your little sister.
As I struck or rather reached the station last night it began to pour. The rain followed us and when I arrived here the town looked like the bottom of a lake.
While typewriting your letter, I was interrupted and had to stop. I expected to finish the letter and mail it last night, but had to attend a meeting of the Board of Appraisal of Benefits and Damages, a committee of our city Council (like your Board of Alderman) and when I finished last night it was quite late. So I deferred til this morning and am sending you a letter written in longhand, typewriting and English.
As you will see from a clipping that is enclosed they are trying to widen a portion of Main Street (our Broadway umbeschrieen)* (God forbid! It should happen!) and our clients (Rogers Clothing Co.) would sustain about $15,000 damages. I claimed that the widening was unnecessary commensurate with the cost entailed on the city, and altho the building inspector originally testified that the damages would only be $501, after severely cross-examining him, he told the committee that I was correct and that it would cost more, in fact that it was not really necessary to widen the street at this point. Ans so the matter has gone over until next Thursday.
I had planned on being in New York today but on account of the hearing yesterday had to defer it till tomorrow morning.
During the last two days, the degree team of our lodge (at the head of which order is Dr. Joseph Silverman of Temple Emanu-El) of which yours truly is chairman, has been invited to initiate a large class of candidates in New London on Monday evening the 22nd, at which time a banquet will be given where Senators Brandegee and Mahan (the latter a Congressman) States Attorney Hull, Dr. Silverman and Governor Baldwin of this State are inviting guests. All of these gentlemen are down for toasts as well as my brother, and another whose name modesty prevents me from mentioning.
And for Sunday Sept. 28, we are to be in New Britain on a similar mission.
And for October 5, my brother and I are to be speakers at a Banquet given in New Haven, at which Ex President Taft will be present.
But here is some real news. Saltman is on our degree team. That's not the news, that happened to come to me then. Barnet - famous little Barnet - what do you think? I'll bet you can't guess. Well, I'll tell you. He started to go to kindergarten yesterday, and he'll be three in October (I will not mention the date). After school I spent quite a while with him recounting the important events in the first day he spent in the building of a great man - I hope. It was an ideal day for him too. The sun in the morning hid behind leaden clouds and as the day proceeded gradually crawled out till at noon it was bright. Isn't that the evolution of anything?
What worried me, if anything was when the teacher would have him count. He can do so up to ten; and I fear he would emulate the new "poopil" in the "Girl of the Golden West". There when the new pupil is introduced, the teacher asked him to count. He began laboriously, one, two, three, four, five, six, the class applauded, seven, eight, nine, ten, again prolonged applause. He is about to speak again. If you have tears prepare to shed them now. "Ten, Jack, Queen, King, Ace."
At eleven I have a court matter, and being ten twenty now, must get my"poipers."
I enclose a very snappy letter, an ad really, composed by Hubbard, that shows real literary style. At this late hour let me thank you for your kind invitation the other evening, and for the generous hospitality with which I was welcomed. You have entered on your second score in the game of life. When the three score and ten have rolled by and He is kind enough to add plenty more, my hope is that one word will sum up your efforts whatever they may be "Success."
And a word for this year. I know you will get all A's in your work, but remember college affords other things in addition to books. Take advantage of your opportunities in all college activities that are possible so that some day you will be able to sing, as we of Yale do of "those happy golden by-gone days."
Sincerely, Your
Joe

It is interesting to note that 62 years from this day in 1975 Joe died at the age of 89 in Fairfield, Connecticut.

The next letter will be on October 3rd.

September 17,1913 - Helen turns 20

Helen turned 20 on September 17, 1913. Here is a photo from September 1913 about a week before her birthday out with some of the family at Coney Island including her father and sister, Florrie. This will take you to more details of the photo.

Below is a scan of her date book from 1913 and the pages from the week of her birthday.

Thinking of all of the wonderful birthdays we celebrated with her.

Tomorrow September 18 is the next letter.

September 15, 1913 - Ingersoll - Liberator of Men

From what I can deduce from this correspondence, Joe sent Helen a short lecture that Elbert Hubbard gave about Robert Ingersoll. He then followed with a short note. It seems that Joe gave the introduction for Hubbard that evening.

 "BOB" INGERSOLL – LIBERATOR OF MEN.
It is said that the difference between man and the lower animals is that man has ability, to laugh. (Remember Jerry in Peg O’ my heart?)
When you laugh, you relax, and when you relax you give freedom to muscles, nerves and brain-cells.  Man seldom has use of his reason when his brain is tense.  The sense of humor makes a condition where reason can act.
Ingersoll knew that he must take his appeal to man's brain. Paine knew this, too, and so did Voltaire and Rousseau. But it is a winding way to' reach the reason of most people.  The unenlightened mind is in serious, solemn darkness.
Ingersoll let the light of human sympathy penetrate first, and from the good-nature which followed, he added good-humor, then sent shafts of wit.
He caused men and women to use the same reasoning faculties when contemplating the character of a god as of a man, of history in one book as in another, he knew their conclusions would then be sensible and bring a degree of peace and happiness unknown before to the world.
Ingersoll taught that what was wrong for men ought to be wrong for gods and saints; that what was considered not good, sin, for man on earth, should not be considered as fit for reward in heaven; that there was no justice in eternal punishment for temporal or temporary sins.
He asked consideration for criminals, those who had actually done wrong to their fellow-men. He pleaded for Christians and infidels alike to follow the Golden Rule, and do unto others as they would have these others do unto them.
Robert Ingersoll preferred to every political and social honor the privilege of freeing humanity from the shackles of bondage and fear. He knew no holier thing than truth.  He preferred using his own reason to receiving popular applause or approbation. His keen wit, clear brain and merciless sarcasm uncrowned the king of Superstition and made him a puppet in the court of reason.
Says Max O'Rell: "Ingersoll was not only America's greatest orator, He was a great writer and a great thinker; an infusion, as it were, of Johnson, Voltaire and Milton.  He possessed the logic of the first; the
persiflage of the second; and some of the sublimity of the third.  His arguments are constructed like propositions of Euclid; his style is vigorous, as clear as it is graceful, as poetic as it is humorous, and as verve as inexhaustible."
Elbert Hubbard.

Exhibit A
September 15,1913
Dear Helen,
I didn't know but what you might be interested in how I "made out" yesterday afternoon, and so am interrupting you again. I started something after this fashion.
"How mysterious are the ways of God! This morning I was planning to be out on a stroll along the Hudson admiring the glorious sunset. And behold, it is changed I find the sun rise - to address you. I had anticipated the pleasure of being in the company of good Jews at this hour; and now I find myself in the midst of good Christians. To paraphrase Shakespeare, I can sincerely say that Extemporaneous religious speeches to Broadway Baptists is not the meat on which Caesar feed. And so as a young and budding lecturer in this particular sphere of life, I will need your aid and succor. And I promise you that if you will furnish the aid, I will supply the sucker."

 Roycroft Press under the direction of Elbert Hubbard published many writings by Robert Ingersoll.

The next letter will be on September 18.

August 12, 1913 - Don't don the bloomers . . .

It is August 1913 and as this letter reveals  that a cold spell  has hit the northeast. This letter continues to be a funny and  informative letter from Joe to Helen filled with quips, quotes and news of the family activity.

August 12,1913.
Dear Helen:
Several days ago I received a post card from you, bearing the post-mark of Dover Plains, and this morning I received a letter from Pine Forest Camp-I did;(a la Peg). This refers to the popular song from 1913 "Peg o' My Heart"

I hardly knew just how to begin to answer the card; and now having read the letter, am even more in the shades of darkness. The doubt or hesitancy arose from a remark that I find innocently flung into the card. And while I am at it, permit me to congratulate you on the honors bestowed upon you in your appointment to so fine a position. It's wonderful what rapid progress women are making in this country, and all without the necessity of burning down London Bridge or starving to death in jails for their liberty. They have lady superintendents of schools, police-women, detectives, show-girls, and now by your appointment, we have added to the list that of Sheriffs. Am I not correct in inferring that you were appointed to the official position of Sheriff of Pine Forest Camp, or Wingdale, or Pawling, I say, can't I infer that from the statement in the post-card aforesaid:

"Dear Joe
Have just taken a tramp to this to town. Very busy this week, doing something else every day, etc."

I also infer from that remark that you probably had several robbers and other famous celebrities of the City on your hands. But why do you take  the  tramps  to  town? Is  that where the lock up is, or do you do that to give the hobos an airing? I was glad that your letter followed up this conversation, for it said that you and 'Florie' and Julian made  this trip, showing that you took assistance along. By the way,is this the well known herr-mahl-zu Szoolyan?

Another thing that your letter made me smile at was the statement 'Julian just left last night and he is certainly missed here'. I smiled at this, and then thought of the remark about Shakespeare not repeating himself. I tried to compare that reputation with you, and just as I had almost done so, lo! and behold I thought of the remark you made in the letter sent me that day after I left, when describing the 13th birthday party you attended, and which I have already mentioned, you remarked how you wished I were there and how I was missed. Of course you will forgive my memory, but as Pauline will tell you I can remember some things very well.

And talking of Pauline, while I did not witness the scenes you mention I cannot blame you for "trying to keep as far away as you can from such mushinees," if it is anything like you describe it. I only hate to think of the time when the horizon will show a little more earthly matters to their vision, and when they will have to begin to look such ordinary things in the face as bills, rent, etc. They are walking the beautiful edge of a silvery cloud, with the pale moon shining softly, while the cuckoos call to their mates, and they whisper sweet nothings to each other, dreaming only of the ideals of life. But wait till the daybreak comes, and slowly they step down to earth, and begin to bicker and deal in ordinary things with ordinary people, who have no time and no thought of the Romeo and Juliet stuff; and I fear for the awakening, unless they begin to cut out all that you mention. The maxim is 'a little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men', but as Emerson said,'merely because I like salt with my soup, doesn't prove that I want to be immersed in brine!'

At this time I shall not say a word about the time we arrived home in that auto. It was however Monday morning as you suggested; traveling at midnight, and without any supper at that, because when we struck Danbury, the dining room had closed and only sandwiches could be had. It would require reams of paper to tell the story, and even then perhaps a couple of hours also.

It was laughable to read about the cold wave that struck the Camp. You must have been able to garner in a good crop of ice. It has been just as cold down here, and today I actually put on a winter suit. It reminds me of Simeon Ford* who tells of the discomforts of travel by saying that when on the train, it gets so hot that you ring the bell for the porter to remove the sides, top and walls of the car, and by the time you have removed your Jaegers and climbed into a linen suit with a big palm fan in your left bread-hook, the train runs into a fourteen foot snow bank, the mercury drops to 73.25 below 0, and you rush for the seal-skins. And at night as you peacefully hang your crown on the bed-post and lay aside the dull cares of the day, you are kept in suspense as to whether to pull the blanket (in a Pullman the blanket is about the size of a parcel post stamp) over your head and freeze your toes off, or pull it down over your tootsies, and die of pneumonia. This man Ford has written a most entertaining book called "A FEW REMARKS" being a series of after dinner speeches he delivered at various parts of the country, and they are wonderful. For instance on a talk of the Turkish baths, he begins about as follows, if I recall it rightly:

"Have you ever bathed? Gentle listener, have you ever indulged in that luxury known as a bath? I have, woe is me, but I am now a wiser and cleaner man," 

And addressing an assembly of bankers he once told them that he always believed that they had a national anthem that was most appropriate entitled 'if you haven't any money you needn't come around.' And then in an address to some ladies of Boston talking of the then fad of bloomers said:

"Ladies, do anything, smoke, even, but don't don the bloomers. A man hates like blazes to be hitched to a woman's apron strings, but you'll have a riot and a bloody was before you will tie him to your suspenders."

Then he added this significant remark, that 'if you do adopt the smoking habit even, while the bloomers will be good things to strike matches on, you will find them mighty hard to strike matches in. '  I wish I had the book here so I could write a few more of his very valuable additions to after dinner literature; but anyway, why take up your time.

And that reminds me. My brother's family-his wife and two kidlets are going abroad to spend the winter. The party will consist of my sister-in-law, Barnet, Lucille (the little baby), Natalie (the girl that came up in the car), and Alma (their ten year old sister),and these are to meet their mother who is now in Carlsbad, and all to spend winter in the old country. I think that it's mighty fine of my brother to let his wife and children go away with such fine people for so long a time. He and the Doctor will be jolly bachelors till their wives return, and I'11 bet they will be sorry when the boat sails, because both are home bodies, so to speak, and enjoy their home life too much to be able to live alone. But they are sacrificing their comfort for their families pleasure, and will be happy in the thought that they are making others happy. But, gosh, I dunno how I'll get along without the kids. They are a part of my day, and it will be hard to let them get away for six months. With other friends abroad just now, and the kids going too, it is hard to resist the temptation to 'jump on a steamboat and just sail away- over the bay-far,far away'-as the song goes.

I saw your father last week and said I might run up in a week or two, dependent on arrangements I can make.
My folks sail on the Imperator on August 30th, so that will have me in New York that Saturday until the boat sails at 10 A.M anyway.
Really now, haven't I taken up enough of your time already? I guess so. Did you ever get the Philistine a friend of Omar promised you?
With kindest regards to all, I am
Sincerely, Joe

* Simeon Ford, American hotel keeper and after-dinner speaker (1855 - 1933)

The side note on the letter where Joe spilled some ink says " Mary's lamb meets a hungry bear

My pen a tear now drops,
what happened to Mary's little lamb

What happened to lamb chops? 

Here is a copy of the cover of the illustrated booklet for the maiden voyage of the S.S. Imperator that Joe spoke of the family taking to Europe.

In my search about this ship I discovered that there was a fire on board the ship the day before Joe's family was to sail to Europe for 6 months. Here is an article from the New York Times that announces that the ship will sail as scheduled. 

In a letter in September 1913 Joe elaborates about his nephew Barnet and his kindergarten experiences. That would indicate that they made the choice not to take such a risky journey with the family.

The next letter will be on September 15.