To Bertha from C.C. Ballou – October 1, 1919
Chicago
My dear Specks,
Yours of the 29th received. Your address Miss Clark send one as her “permanent address” is “308 N. Neville St., Pittsburgh.” I wrote her there and have received no reply. She wrote from “the Mount Pleasant House, Mount Pocono, PA,” when she sent me the address, and I know she repeated to go there in a few days. Better put a return address on your envelope.
I have heard of “Salome,” but can’t yet recall the painting or perhaps didn’t see it.
I think Hudson explains all of _____ _____’s work, except her apparent “clairvoyance” in regard to the future, and in a very logical manner. I bought his “Laws of Psychic Phenomena,” so you may know I was interested.
[Note: Wikipedia says “Thomson Jay Hudson began observing hypnotism shows and noticed similarities between hypnosis subjects and the trances of mediums. His idea was that any contact with “spirits” was contact with the medium’s or the subject’s own subconscious. Anything else could be explained by telepathy, which he defined as contact between two or more subconsciouses.”]
I have moved into new quarters. Tell Mamma not to fret about my “comfort.” I have a large, well ventilated room; a big, clean and most comfortable bed; running water; a bathroom more convenient to my room than hers is to her room, and I eat where I please. I pass the Chicago Athletic Club every day en route to my office, and get my breakfast there. The service is fine, and the food excellent, cost moderate. They give me a choice of half a dozen club breakfasts at prices from 25 cents up. Yesterday, I took “no. 2,” two eggs, lots of rolls, and a pot of splendid coffee. Today, I took the “no. 3,” fruit oatmeal and cream, rolls and coffee. In each case, the cost was forty cents, no tipping allowed. I get a nice dinner for one dollar, nearer my room. As a rule, I don’t eat any luncheon. This is in the interest or reducing flesh and smoking. It also saves the cost of luncheon and of at least two cigars a day, a total of some three dollars per week, or thereabouts.
No news yet as to leaving here. Have got a very small staff made on my _____. It is going to be a long, tedious and expensive job. Yes, your improved health is a matter for general satisfaction, and with reasonable care, the good work should continue. The resulting state of mind, in knowing you are as much better, is not the best benefit.
I was glad to note in Mamma’s letter that she has gained weight during the summer. Tell her the doctors here don’t think climate has much effect on arthritis. I guess sweating and hot baths might help some, and in that way a hot climate might help, indirectly. Madame Grandeau sent a lot of postcards to me. I think she said, “for your daughter,” but whether for you or for Sally, I don’t know. The dear good soul will stand on her head when she hears that I have been given the Legion of Honor decoration. She likes to think that her country does things gracefully, and it does. I believe there are various grades, and have heard that the ribbon for Privates is red, but what mine should be, I don’t know. It is that for “an officer” of the Legion of Honor, and is not known in Chicago. I have not received the decoration, but have the Chancellor’s certificate that it was awarded me on May fifth by the President of France.
I wonder if you can realize all that this means to me. I would not have stayed at home and missed my experiences in battle. My “Croix de Guerre, with Palm,” and “The Legion of Honor” for a Major generally in the regular army. Nothing in a professional way has ever done me so much good, not even my first _____ at West Point. “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country.” I can afford to forget what personal anniversary caused me to miss from our own war _______.
It is not only a flea bite. But I did feel it when it seemed that sending me away from my division had robbed me of all recognition. I didn’t care so much on my own account, for I know what I had done, but I wanted something that would speak for me to all of you at home.
I hope your new instructor will prove a success. I feel that you are ___ “finding yourself,” finding out what you lack, and that you are sure to progress.
Love to Mamma and Sally.
Your loving old dad.