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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 01/01/1914

    20 Holford Square

    Percy Circus

    London, England

    January 1, 1914

    My Dear Son,

    …We can hardly wait to hear how you got along at Phildelphia. We certainly hope you got away with Cushing in good shape and made him look like your inferior. He will not have it so easy now when he has found a man that is more than his equal. He has been having it his own way so long that it will be a great blow to meet opposition and also to show his work a failure. I do hope you have gained the victory, as it will mean a great deal for you. Don't forget to tell us all about it.

    And we have been thinking to ask you if you could write one day earlier so as your letter would catch the fast boat. When it misses and catches a slow boat, it is usually 4 or 5 days later. For Pa's (J.D.: She means Ma's) sake I would like for you to do this. You know he learned a bad fashion when he was on the Flyer, wanting to get on time and that is how he feels about your letters. I have a little more patience and can do a little better in this respect.

    Am very glad you think the German won't make any difference to you. Also glad Dr. Halsted thinks so much of you. You can depend on him being real, when he would write to Cushing and make a complimentary remark about you. I would try to retain his friendship as it will be much better for you to do so.

    Mr. Seddon wanted your letter for Mrs. Longworth to see if the spirits could tell her anything about you, so Pa sent it to them. (I have no faith in them).

    We were very pleased to get your other book. When it came Pa said I will have a good day reading this. But to his surprise it was in German. He says it won't take me long to read this.

    I wrote to Lena, sent her this German book. It was merely to let her see what a smart son I had. That was one of the biggest obstacles I had against Lena, was her education. She will just have had a common school education. Her father and mother were very ambitious and anxious to be independant when old and I suppose Lena did the work at home. I think in your circumstances your partner in life ought to be pretty well educated. It would be better for both of you. Lena would do very well but it would be embarassing for both if she could not pass well in your society.

    In passing the Hippodrome we stopped to see something of society. They were coming in motors and taxis. It was most revolting to see those idle rich half nudes trying the one to out do the other. Some bare to the knees and low necks, jeweled slippers. It was enough to make angels weep. And some were old gray haired women, I had never saw such sights before and it made me disgusted with my sex. Then the lower classes were dancing and singing around saloons and drinking wiskey and beer (women I mean). It was laughable and pathetic to see the depravity of women.

    I am glad you did not send us any presents, don't need them and don't want them. We know how you feel in the matter. We felt like you last year when we did not send you anything. Your letters and books are more precious than all you could give us in the way of presents. I would have been sorry if you did. You can send your picture instead.

    Your loving Mother

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