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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 12/15/1913

    The Johns Hopkins Hospital

    Baltimore, Md.

    December 15, 1913

    Dear Mother and Father,

    Well, I have just finished my maiden presentation of a medical subject before the medical society and got away with it in good shape. I talked an hour and then demonstrated some pictures. Dr. Welch said it was a beautiful piece of work, in fact one of the best he knew of. Dr. Halsted made an equally nice comment about it. Dr. Halsted was there but left as I began my paper. It was getting late when I began but I think I kept them awake.

    I have had a blessing in disguise. I got another infected hand and had to have it opened, so I got 10 days off to write which was a very valuable opportunity. The hand is all right now.

    I received your coupons for $100. They will soon be needed but I accept them only on condition that I can pay you back later. I must insist on only borrowing though I have insisted on that for so long it is practically equivalent to taking it. With regard to the stock, I don't worry one bit about it. I expected it to go down but it will come back again and I can hold it indefinitely. I can't lose in the long run.

    We are having the most perfect weather ever known here. It is bright and warm every day. You keep the windows up to keep cool. It is still so dry that it is possible to play tennis. They have put new cars on the Monument Street line. The big pay?as?you?enter kind, which makes it much nicer. The line goes straight out Monument Street to where the roundhouse is.

    I don't know any more about my future. No, it isn't like Dr. Halsted to make any overtures for a long time anyhow. I am not depending on them, but will just have to look out for myself. I am not so cocky about staying here anyhow, since your salary is limited so low. I believe I will go to Chicago soon and look over the field. This work I have done ought to win a place for me in a few years. I am going to work hard at research for the next two years and I think results ought to be evident by that time. It is the research work that counts most anyhow.

    I don't know how the German is going to influence things here. I am not worrying about it or anything else. Things usually take care of themselves pretty well and I am sure they will though the immediate prospect is not bright as it might be. I am 4 or 5 years younger than the majority of men in my position so I am partly fortified in this way.

    I hope you are very happy and still feeling so well. I am and weigh 162.

    With regard to your girl, I am very hesitant still. I don't think you should have her expect anything definite. I have been so busy I haven't had time to either write or get a picture taken. I think I am duty bound to do the latter. I should think it would help her to spend a year or two in college wouldn't you? She seems to be very sweet, but the responsibilities and possibilities are too great to be hasty even to suggest anything definite because there are so many adverse conditions.

    U.S. is still a little dubious about England's attitude in Mexico, tending to regard it as duplicity to some extent. Wilson is doing some good work, though the possibility of a panic is always thrown at him.

    Well, I think this is about all the news at present, except you want to know about the money from school bonds. I don't believe it is possible to get their proper value as most high grade stocks will now bring 6 or 7% and there is no market for 4% stock at anything like par. Baltimore stock sells at $90 over a long period, however. The 2% difference in interest for 1½ years would be only $90 and less by the time you could make a trade, by which time it would be necessary to sell your bonds at $97½ to come out even, or to play it safe, $98. This would include no commissions. The highest grade railroad and industrial stocks pay 6 and 7% but they are risky. Look at New Haven. Sold for $267 three years ago and paid 10%. Now it sells at $66 and pays nothing.

    Well, tell me more about Lena when you write, but don't encourage her too much. I think this is all at present.

    Your loving son, Walter

    Merry merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

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