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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 12/01/1912

    89 Anson Street

    Barrow in Furness, England

    c. December, 1912

    My Dear Son,

    …I thought from the tone of your letter you were not quite satisfied with your work and were a little melancholy for some reason (is that so or only imagination). Don't be in to big a hurry to get plenty of work. You will soon get plenty of it when you get started.

    I am glad you are in with such a man as Doctor Finney. It is a treat to work with a man like that and try and pattern after his temper and let that old Irish mother temper go. Cushing only provoked it and made it worse.

    You say the hospital superintendent was sore at you for kicking so much about food. I think I hear you in the manner you would do it, rotten grub and all this kind of thing. I would advise you when you have any complaint to go in a gentlemanly way and tell them you cannot get along with the food etc. I think you would accomplish more and not run the risk of ill will. You pretty near lost out in getting the place you wanted.

    I had thought it was Cushing went against you but I believe it was the superintendent of the hospital. If anything don't suite you, just consider what you should say. Don't get after them when you are angry. It is pretty hard to do this, but for your own sake I would try, as only such results follow hasty words. In your position you will have to take more than give. Wait till you have authority and then these things would not hurt you so much. I say this in all love to you and hope you won't have to kick any more about meals. It is very provoking to not get plenty to eat and all through one man.

    I wish I had been near so as I could have given you a good beef steak. You say I have not to come back if I work. Well these cold days I would be glad of a little work. Pa says he would just like some of my pies and cake. It is all bought stuff we eat. But we are getting along very well at it. You must not trouble about us. We are well and enjoying ourselves and are particularly well satisfied when you are happy and doing well.

    Pa wanted to send you some money for books, etc. but I told him you had plenty and ours was making 6 per cent and yours only 2 or 3 percent. It was no good to do so, except you needed it. When you need it you have only to say so.…

    Your loving Mother

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