This pamphlet was conceived in enthusiasm by men and women who are bristling with PEP to build a Beautiful Church in St. James Parish. They are impatiently waiting: they are clamoring for action. They want YOU to know what they propose doing. They hope you will be with them. Don't look for a seat in the Grand Stand-People who do things move-the disinterested sit and watch -- Our Parish Big Drum is beating a marching tune – “LET'S GO."
My dear Parishioner;
The stained glass windows are being erected in the New Church and are a magnificent display of art in colors: they are an absorbing attraction and would make a visit to the church interesting and alluring even if there was nothing else within its walls to make an aesthetic or religious appeal. In this creation Mr. Gaytee, the artist, has excelled himself, and the excellence of these windows is so evident children who accompanied me into the church a few days ago stood before them for several minutes in such rapt delight I knew each one of them experienced the elevation of spirit which the psalmist felt when he uttered. these words: "How lovely are thy tabernacles 0 Lord of hosts! my soul longeth and fainteth for the Courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the Living God."
The union of art and religion, of beauty and sanctity is an inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God in the bosom of the Church. She clothes religion with beauty and pursues her ceaseless search among terrestrial creations to find objects with which to embellish the Sanctuary of the Lord; from the bowels of the earth she brings metals and precious stone, from the depths of the sea pearls, from the air music, from the heavens the varied tints of lights and from the creative genius of man the finest and noblest conceptions of art. To furnish the house of God she takes toll from all creatures and she employs the beauty of creation to the glory of its Creator.
The parishioners who arc making it possible for us to add to the cold dead walls of tile and stone a furbishing of varied tints in glass and wood and tapestries are using their money for the noblest and most exalted aims for which money could be spent: the tombs of the Pharaohs have recently yielded to the curiosity of the archeologist countless treasures that were lavished on those potentates by their superstitious subjects; the gifts remain. the givers and their princes have returned to the dust from which they came, but more permanent than the treasures of those tombs shall be the good deeds of those who in St. James Parish are beautifying the House of God: though they should give all that they possess for this purpose it would not be a waste of money for the mind is not big enough to conceive nor the heart sufficiently inflamed with love to feel the duty we owe to our Eucharist King who dwells in our midst.
It is our faith that Christ is not dead, that He rose from the grave and gives again in the flesh, the man of Galilee sits at the right hand of God. His ascension into heaven was not the ascension of a spirit but of a real man who also was God; by his omnipotent power He gave to his body freedom from the laws of nature, He glorified it and his glorified body in the person of the Son of God daily descends and ascends from our Churches. He comes all unseen on our altars at the words of the priest. He offers himself on our altars at the words of the priest, He offers through himself in an unbloody manner the Sacrifice, He visits his pious followers and is united with them through Holy Communion and his infinite condescension goes unmarked by all who have not a vivid faith. If the just in heaven have any regrets it is because they devoted so little of their worldly possessions to the beautifying of God's Temples here below, they now know Jesus is as really present in his humble tabernacles on earth as He is in His golden palaces in heaven. They cannot add a touch more of loveliness to His celestial dwelling, but if they could journey out of the golden gates or come again on earth as men and women what countless armies would vie with one another in erecting and beautifying a church, happy should be the child who would be permitted to hold a candle or the woman who would have the privilege of donating an altar cloth, and should one be given the honor and the means of defraying all the expense of erecting and decorating the entire church that one would undoubtedly feel most blessed.
The parishioners who have donated the windows to St. James Church have given to the parish an art treasure that will be appreciated by all. They are public benefactors and these memorial windows will continue through the years to be to them an unlimited source of pride, and to the congregation a source of delight; undoubtedly many of them had to make many sacrifices to defray the expense; windows in the clerestory cost $125 and the ones in the body of the church $600. the gable windows at the north and south side $1000 each and the Heil window in the front $1200. Already the first and second payments have been made by the greater number of those who agreed to have erected these memorials and the substantial sum of about $5000 has been received from them.
A disappointing feature to the memorial windows in the c1erestory is the fact that the names cannot he read from the floor of the church owing to a lip of stone which extends under the glass and shades, to the observer from the floor, about six inches of the window. I called the attention of the artist to this possibility before the windows were completed and at a conference that was held in the presence of the architect and the artist it was agreed upon that the stone could not well be eliminated nor the names placed higher in the window without destroying the artistic effect. A solution was found that will prove satisfactory to all; under each window on the wall the names will be recorded in gold leaf.
Sincerely in Christ,
PATRICK J. O'CONNOR, Adm.
WEEK-DAY MASS ATTENDANCE
Attendance at week-day mass and communion during Lent a decade ago was considered an exceptional manifestation of devotion: only the few who were noted for their heroic endeavor to become saints attended and it was presumed they had little else to do, whereas, in these "modern" days when as Senator Reed puts it, "every jail of the land is so filled that the legs and arms of the prisoners are almost sticking out of the window" our parish churches have almost a capacity crowd at dawn, men and women who want to assist at mass and receive communion before entering into a strenuous day's labor in the office, factory or workshop."
"The hearts of these people are all day in a sanctuary where lust cannot long remain or worldliness captivate the mind. Their thoughts are the thoughts of peace, and good will and kindliness beams from their countenance: a single police officer on a beat among a million of them would grow weary of ennui or go to sleep at his post for lack of activity. They are in the unbroken line of pilgrims who having touched the garments of Christ set out from the Catecombs and have come down through the ages bearing olive branches in their hands are cleanness in their hearts; at each cross-road of life they have been joined by maidens and youths who are captivated by the idealism of the gospel of the God-man. They rejoice as they step with contempt on the cravings of the flesh and sacrifice their desires to a vision of eternal joys. These are the Christians who are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and St. James Parish has its coterie of them, if you would see them go to a week-day mass."
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Baby La Rose, 1322 Central avenue, succumbed on February 22nd to an attack of pneumonia and was buried at Festus, Mo. the following Friday.
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The picture of the church in the last issue of Let's Go might leave the impression that the flesche was complete. The art of a photographer made this possible because he removed the entire scaffolding and put skin on the skeleton.
WHEN WILL THE NEW CHURCH BE FINISHED?
It is difficult to answer this question with an assurance of certainty, at best we can only speculate on the probable progress of the unfinished portion of the construction and draw conclusions from premises about which we are not sure; the plastering is now done in more than half of the church and in all probability will be completed by the middle of the month when the decorative woodwork of wormy chestnut for the ceiling, confessionals and altar will arrive from the planning mills in Minneapolis, This portion of the construction Messrs. Gillespie & Daly, general contractors, intend to rush but they will not promise to have it finished before the middle of May; the extent of the work may be judged from the fact that the material costs twenty thousand dollars; after this item is complete frescoing the walls and ceiling will commence and the floors cannot be laid nor pews set in place till the scaffolding is removed. The artist who is hoping to be allowed to prosecute the proposed decorations asks that he be given not less than two months to complete them,
Our guess is the church will be ready for dedication not sooner than the end of July, but we promise that the school rooms in the temporary church shall be ready for occupancy at the beginning of the school year.
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Mr. Noonan, 1414 Sulphur avenue is being treated at Barnes Hospital for a growth on the jaw.
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The Archbishop explaining his condemnation in the Lenten Pastoral of dances, said at the Old Cathedral: "as to dancing, I do not condemn all dancing, although it is forbidden as unfit to be carried on in church buildings" and modern dancing appears to be approximate occasion for sin. "I'd rather have no church," he said, "than have a church that is built upon degeneracy and wrong-doing."
FOR RENT
6219 Victoria avenue, 5 rooms, furnace, electric and other modern conveniences. Garage if desired. Rent reasonable.
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Charles Drennan Floral Company, 3941 South Grand avenue is managed by two of our parishioners, Miss Edna Willer and Charles Drennan. They will appreciate an order from our readers and promise satisfactory service. Call Riverside 9567.
WADE AVENUE CONSTRUCTION
Thanks to the good sense of the property owners in Wade avenue all demands for compensation and damages arising from the loss of property have been withdrawn, and through the endeavors of Mrs. John Doran everyone who owns the adjoining property has signed a release. So it may be presumed a contract for the making of the street will be let in a short time. When the street is built the church property will have a street on the north, south and east sides.
ARE CONTRACTS LET FOR DECORATIONS AND ORGAN?
No! It is not certain that there will be enough of funds on hand to undertake these obligations. The frescoing of the church as planned would cost $15,000 and in all probability an organ will cost about $8,000, the pews will cost not less than $6,000 and the vestment cases another thousand, the completing of the school it may be presumed will cost about $3.000 for construction and $2.000 for desks. It is a problem that cannot he decided in a hurry but the fidelity of the greater number of the parishioners in making weekly contributions is very encouraging; it is believed every parishioner desires to see the church on the day of dedication as beautiful as it is possible to make it; the art glass windows will not produce the full effect of their beautiful harmony and suggestive medallions unless the walls are treated and made an appropriate background. The fitness of having a tile or marble floor in the center aisle and in the ambulatories and nartex is daily becoming more emphasized. In the present plans the entire floor is of herring bone maple design. It is a pity to cheapen down so beautiful a church for a consideration of a few thousand dollars but a few thousand dollars means a great deal to a man whose purse is empty.
As regards selecting suitable pews there is
much to he said as to what makes a pew
desirable, people are not of uniform size or shape
and what suits one may not suit another, it
would he helpful to know in which church in
St. Louis are pews that give the greatest
satisfaction to the average worshiper and we have
heard mentioned "not the Cathedral" by one,
whilst a half a dozen others have said the
Cathedral pews are just the thing; the pews in the
Rock Church have also their backers. Contracts
for pews must be made in a week or two and a
decision must be arrived at about the organ and
decorations and as these and other problems
have to be decided not only in general but in
particular details, a public discussion of them
would be profitable, hence I am calling
A Meeting of Parishioners
On Sunday evening, March 4th after devotions there will be a meeting of parishioners to discuss the advisability of letting contracts for tile flooring in the ambulatories, also for an organ, pews and interior decorations. It is suggested that parishioners would visit different churches today and view the pews therein so that they might be able to give helpful advice at the meeting.
Take notice the meeting is called for tonight.
WIDOW AND WIDOWER MARRIED
John P. Lavin, a young widower, the father of two boys, and Margaret Griffin Boul, a widow and the mother of two girls, after having the Banns announced on three successive Sundays, were quietly married in St. James Church, Monday, February 21st. They requested Father O'Connor to have official witnesses on hand and he commandeered Stephen J. Leahy who happened to be passing in an automobile and Mrs. Ellen Daly who lives next door to the Convent. The couple now reside at 6430 Nashville avenue.
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A practical exhibition why dancing under church auspices should be condemned was given it is said at St. James Parish Hall on Shrove Tuesday night by a few couples who have little sense of propriety. They should have been ejected.
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Edward Quinn and Norman Fehrensen are making a fine record at the Catholic High School. They are industrious students and a credit to the parochial school. A splendid future is anticipated for them.
THE CHURCH BELLS
The parish church bells during a period when they were in the process of repair before being transferred to the flesche of the new church, were silent and their sonorous music at dawn, mid-day and evening had been daily missed by the Community. They went again into action on Ash-Wednesday morning, February 22nd, 1928, at 6 a. m. and their hearts rejoiced to peal the glad news that they were from hence forth to be the heralds for the New Church and from their elevated rostrum they will continue to tell the world the message of the Angel.
"The Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" or the Angelus.
There are three bells in the flesche, two of them belong to the set of chimes which Father E. A. Casey purchased in 1902 from the Mclean Patent Medicine Co. They hung in the tower which overlooked the company office at Fourth and Market streets.
The largest of the bells is 900 pounds and was made by William Kays Co., Kentucky, and has no date on it, the second which hung on the old church tower was made in St. Louis in the eighties by Stuckstede Company and had to be replaced by the same company as the former bell was split. This new bell weighs 400 pounds and the smallest which weighs 300 is the oldest and was made by McNeely Company, Troy, New York in 1864. By an accident the new bell was rung a few taps on its first speech as Lucille Nixon was entering the church to be married and it has been decided to name it for her.
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Let's Go offers to everyone in the parish free of charge an opportunity of advertising property for sale or rent; when property is rented or sold a charge of one dollar is requested.
The John P. Dolan Realty Co. offers the following For Sale:
6803 Nashville Ave., 6 rooms, all modern $6,500
6718 Mitchell Ave., 4 rooms, all modern $5,500
6419 Wade Ave., 3 rooms, all modern $3,800
6470 Dale Ave., 4 rooms, frame, all modern $3,500
1322 Louisville Ave., 4 rooms $2,800
6510 West Park, 3 rooms $2,500
FLATS
6430 Nashville Ave . 4 & 4 rooms $4,500
6105 Clayton Ave., 4 & 4 rooms $9,500
Also several good building lots for sale.
FOR RENT
6219 Victoria avenue, 5 rooms, furnace, electric and other modern conveniences. Garage if desired. Reasonable.
DON'T WEAKEN
It is interesting to observe how soon one thinks of quitting the prayers and mortifications which were determined upon for Lent. No sooner than the first pang of hunger is felt or an effort is made to prolong one's prayer than a feeling of irritation and despondency is experienced. This is poor human nature's whine against faith’s decision and it invents a thousand reasons to put off for a time the sacrifices demanded of it. The fact is that faith and nature are at war and nature suggests immediate flight from the conflict.
If you haven't had such an experience there is a danger for fearing that you have not yet begun to take Lent seriously because its mortifications usually are felt like wounds that strike the quick.
Our Christian religion demands the sacrifice of many things that are pleasing to nature. This is the accomplishment of grace; and perfection consists in the generosity and promptness with which we offer to God our irritations, mortifications and acts of self-denial. It is the work of grace to conquer nature ever prone to evil, and God inclines us to do so during Lent. We do not make a proper use of these gifts unless we rise above ourselves and trample upon the things that are most pleasing to our appetite and desires, Between God and the soul He wishes to sanctify there exists a continual interchange of graces offered and sacrifices demanded. Unless you sacrifice He will not give. In order to obey grace we must inconvenience ourselves and give violence to our nature. All this is painful and tends to paralyze our good resolutions and unless one is made of the real stuff which is to be found in men and women of grit he is sure to quit his fasting and his praying.
The church draws up a program for spiritual exercises and acts of self-denial that are profitable and character forming. It asks us to do things that are hard because heroes and saints are not among the ones who achieve success by following the easy way. A splendid stimulus to devotion is meditation on Christ's sufferings; early risings, morning Mass and Communion.
A NEIGHBORING BUSINESS WOMAN'S FUNERAL
Mrs. Fox, mother to Vincent Kigens, who had been directing the little store close to the church and school at 1320 Tamm avenue died on the morning of February 27th at her home. An hour previous to her death she piously received Holy Viaticum and recited with Father O'Connor the prayers for the dying. She was conscious to the end. She was favorably known by the greater number of the parochial school children who seemed to prefer making purchases from her than from the Mothers Club. She was an honest, truthful, earnest woman who devoted all her attention to her business and had little time for anything else. She was buried from Mass last Wednesday. R. I. P.
A QUIET WEDDING SHROVE TUESDAY
Anna Lucille Nixon wanted to have a quiet wedding. She and her intended Louis Brake of Sacred Heart Parish stepped into church on Shrove Tuesday,accompanied by her sister, Genevieve and George Blaney and were married. Though the Banns were published on the previous Sunday, the secret of the hour of the ceremony did not leak out. Lucille has been a staunch Catholic girl and a good supporter of the church. We wish her and her husband God's Blessing.
SPLENDID COOPERATION IN HOLY NAME SOCIETY
The plan to reorganize the Holy Name Society and to bring every man and boy in the parish into its ranks met with a splendid success in its first efforts. On Monday, January 9th at the first meeting for the year 1928, more than forty lieutenants and captains assembled in the church and after piously reciting vespers as given in the Holy Name Manual, were given a brief exhortation by Father O'Connor in which he suggested that every Holy Name Officer should endeavor to propagate in his own life a dignity of person, reverence for God and His laws, cleanliness of speech and the habit of reciting the Angelus when the church hells ring morning, noon and in the evening. Though members were not invited -- as it is deemed expedient to confine the meeting to officers until the organization work is complete -- many put in their appearance and remained until after Benediction which was sung by those present, which included Messrs., C. H. Gesell. Wm. Henkel, John Lawrence, George Jennemann, Clyde Stiff, William Henne, Michael Maloney, Peter McHugh, Dan Sheehan, Faustin Kinninger, Andrew Smith, George Lederle, J. Pieschel, Louis Riegel, Charles Klasek, Frank Walsh, D. J. Coad, Ray Dolan, Ben Kelly, Edw, Ryan, Edw Loyer, M. P. Foley, Allen Baer, Ollie Dolan, M. C. Coad, Charles Brady, Francis Collins, Bernard Brady, George Wiber, P. H. Murphy, Clem Placke, Hy. Hugeback, John Kelly, Ed Pierce and Charles Bujewski.
The attendance at Communion the morning previous impressed everyone in church with the success of the campaign, all the pews, in the center aisle from the Altar railing to the doors were filled with boys and men who approached the altar and it is not unreasonable to expect that in a very short time the entire church will be needed for communicants of the St. James Branch No.1 of the Holy Name Society. The lieutenants and captains are urged to make another drive in their districts during this week to arouse the interest of members and to encourage them to be at Communion with the branch next Sunday morning.
The officers are preparing census blanks and other data to be ready for the meeting of the executives which will be held Monday evening, March 12th.
During Lent the officers and lieutenants will make a zealous attempt to arouse the interest of men who have been neglectful of their duties as Catholics or who take little pains to be associated with parochial activities.
MASS FOR PURGATORIAN SOCIETY MEMBERS THIS WEEK
The following were listed as Purgatorian Society living members in 1926 and have since gone to their rest: in accordance with the rules, of the Society the Spiritual Director promised to offer three Communions: Miss Delia Regan, Mrs. Anna Dwyer, Mrs. Catherine Steffen, and Mrs. Jane McKevitt.
Mass at 6:30 this all week -- Monday for Miss Dowling: Tuesday, Mrs. Dwyer: Wednesday, Mrs. Steffen and Thursday, Mrs. McKevitt.
Those desiring membership in this Society should make application in November or any time later to Father O'Connor.
THE MOTHERS CLUB MINSTREL ST. PATRICK'S NIGHT
This year The Mothers Club Minstrel on the evening of March 17th will leave out a little of the dark and throw in a dash of green. The show will open by selections of Irish music played by the Orchestra and an entertainment feature under the direction of Mrs. Will Hefele assisted by Mrs. Larson, Mrs. Helen Dolan Walsh, Mrs. Sam Gittins, Mrs. Tom Conroy and perhaps Mr. Joe Kinney the popular comedian may volunteer his services.
Another change in the program is that of halls. On former occasions the halls selected were entirely too small to accommodate the numbers that presented themselves to witness the show. This year the club have arranged to put on their Minstrel at "Lambskin Temple" the big Masonic hall at Kingshighway and Arco avenue.
The Minstrel show itself which is entitled "A Darktown Wedding" will have in its cast all the old stars and several new ones. Mrs. Ben Plengemeier has the role of interlocutor, and Mrs. Barney Quinn, Mrs. P. Cullen, Mrs. Mae Bambrick and Mrs. Tom Conroy will be end men. The other Minstrels will include Mrs. Foley, the bride: Mesdames G. Lederle, Parson, Pierce. Marshall. Duvall, Lutz, McEvoy, G. Bisso, I Bisso, Lawless, Mahoney, P. H. Murphy, Knickel, Jones, J. Smith, Charleville, LaGarce, Klasek, B. Brady.
A sketch also will be given by Mrs. Tom Conroy and Mrs. Sam Gittens; Mrs. George Wiber and Mrs. Engelhardt are on the make-up committee, Mrs. McDonnel, general chairman and Mrs. Bovard will take the place which no one else can fill in Mothers Club schedule, she will take care that everyone is happy and that everything goes right.
The show is under the direction of Henrietta Bafunna Uxa. Ben Plengemeier, George Wiber and the officers of the Holy Name Society will assist the ladies in the cloak room, entrances and stage.
THE SICK AND CONVALESCING
Jerry O'Connell, 6458 Wise avenue, for several weeks has been suffering from neuritis and is confined to his home. He is slightly improved.
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Mrs. Nixon, 6505 Manchester avenue, had an attack of bronchitis and was unable to be present at the last meeting of the Promoters of the Apostleship of Prayer, an indication that she must have been very ill.
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Mrs. Dan Murphy, 1540 Tamm avenue, was confined to her bed and feverish several days, apparently having an attack of lagrippe or influenza. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. John A. Murphy, who had been nursing her, also is afflicted and is a patient in St. John's Hospital
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Pat McGuire, Sr., 1344 Graham avenue, who it will be remembered was knocked down in the park by an automobile and seriously injured, was discharged from St. Mary's Hospital last week and is convalescing at home.
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Mr. Greenwell, Sr., 6423 Nashville avenue, on account of the infirmities of old age has been confined to his home all winter.
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Luke O'Shaughnessy, 6160 Crescent avenue, very popular a few years ago as the leading man in the Father Casey Dramatic Club, whilst driving a truck for the Walsh Cleaning Co., was bitten by a dog. Fearing hydrophobia he took the Pasteur treatment at the City Hospital, a week later he awoke during the night and was in great pain. His body from his chest down became paralyzed. Dr. Murphy was called in and recommended that the doctors who administered the serum be notified. Later it was agreed at a consultation which took place at the Baptist Sanitarium that the treatment must have caused the paralysis; as no definite diagnosis could be made it has been left to time to decide what the patient's chances for recovery are. The indications are hopeful. The patient's appetite is coming back and circulation has improved in the parts affected.
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Mrs. Mullarkey, 6402 West Park avenue, thanks to prayer and good medical treatment, has almost completely recovered from pneumonia and pleurisy which made her condition almost hopeless. As soon as her condition permitted her being moved she was taken to St. John's Hospital to have a fluid removed which had formed 0n the pleura. She is expected home soon.
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Leo Sharamitaro, 6328 West Park avenue, is in a critical condition in the Isolation Hospital. He is suffering from diphtheria and other complications. His baby sister is recovering from pneumonia and is a patient at home.
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James McCabe, 6738 Glades avenue, who has been suffering from paralysis now has pneumonia. His condition is critical.
BAPTISMS IN FEBRUARY
Paul Joseph Baer, 1539 Tamm avenue.
Robert Glennon Nugent, 1522 Buck avenue.
Daniel Edward Domas, 1003 Central avenue.
Lucy Marian Gittins, 6247 Clayton avenue.
Edward Francis Pilla, 1353 Graham avenue.
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Payments to the Seminary Fund should be made to Most Rev. John J. Glennon, 3810 Lindell Blvd. Through a clerical error some of St. James Parishioners have not yet received notice to pay their first installment and are hereby requested to do so.
FOR SALE
One all modern 4 room Stucco, 6449 Brockschmidt. Cheap for quick sale. Call Hiland 6655.
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To help to keep this pamphlet interesting parishioners are requested to give items of news to Mrs. Boman. Hiland 2031. Ads should be given to P. H. Murphy, Hiland 3251.
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A visit to the New Church, should be deferred, until it is complete, by all who desire to get a lasting impression of beauty in architecture.
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The contractors think the church will be ready for dedication on July 4th,
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We would like to have the Cross on the top of the flesche donated by and named for one of the parishioners. It is probably the highest cross in St. Louis. The cost is $350 and the donor will have a year to pay.
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Rev. Father Foote, S .J.T., has been giving interesting and practical sermons Wednesday nights during Lent at devotions in St. James Church at 8 o'clock. Other devotions during Lent are held Sunday night at 7:30 o'clock, Rosary and Benediction, Friday afternoon, Stations at 3 p.m. and also at 8 p.m.
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To insure completion of the church every wage earner in the parish is requested to make an envelope contribution each Sunday at the Offertory. All church dues in St. James Parish consist of 4 per cent of each ones' income to be paid weekly if convenient. This method is easy, practical and successful.
UNCLE HENRY'S LETTER
March 4th, 1928.
dear Charlie:
the 2nd day of february was a big day here on acount of the natives all got together an had a holiday an a big parade wot ended at the ground-hogs pen over at the zoo, an wen i got over their the was a big crowd standin around watchin to see wot the little feller would do wen he cum out of his hole, so they would no if winter was over, or if we was goin to have six more weeks. wel, as is said, they was a big crowd standin around, all geo. Jennemann mus of been the 1st one their, on acount of he wus spechuly interested, him bein in the coal bisness, an he was rite up again the fence ware he could get the best look at the ground-bog wen he cum out. wel, it just go to show wot underhand tricks sum fellers will stupe to for bisness purpose, cause wen the little animal cum out, i seen geo. throw both of his arms up in the air like he was trying to skare the little feller and shoo him back in his hole. jus imagine a feller so small that he will use a skeme like that to fool the gullable natives into buyin' more coal.
But i guess eny animal wot nos if It we are going to have 6 more weeks of winter or not, must he pretty smart, an so geo. didn't get no wares in trying to skare him, an he must of reelize his responsibility to the peeple an how everybody was relyin' on him to tell 'em the truth, so he just give geo. a brazen look an went about his bisness of scarchin for his shadow. finely he seen it, an so he turn around all went back in his hole, an a few days later wen i seen geo, he told me bisness was good, and Fleming-Young Coal Co. was having a big month.
the pastor has hit on a clever skerme to get the parishoners together an make em aquainted, one with another, an the skeme is that he gives a card party, an then apoints a couple of the ladies to act as hosts, an they are suppose to see that everyone is interduced, an help all of them to have a good time.
we had 1 of these parties on the last day of jan., an the host was helen Walsh, Mary Boerckel and Sally Dolan, an i must say i aint never attend a nicer afare than the way it was run off. everybody had a good time, on acount of the hosts met everyone at the door, an then seen that the married men all got separated from there wife, an couldnt play at the same table, an so they wasnt no family argerments. i understand the pastor is got mrs. Keltzker signed up as host of the next party which is planned for rite after Lent, an i will tell you more about it later.
wel, charlie the mothers club is busy gettin ready for there Minstrel Show, wot they always give on St. Patricks Day, but i cant find out nothin about wot they are planin, on acount of the mrs. is holdin out all information from me, an the feller wot said "a woman cant keep a secret" was a batchelor, else he would of added "from nobody but her husband." she says "if i tell you enything, then you will tell Charlie, an the whole naberhood will no about it."
i been tryin to persuade Morgan Foley to join the quire, on acount of Mike McKernan was tellin me about a "Booster Meetin" wich Kain Council had a while back, an he said the meetin wound up with about six entusastik boosters singin the immortal classic "Sweet Adeline" an Foley was the best in the bunch renderin' a butiful tenor. with the new church so near finished, we cant afford to overlook eny talent like that.
the Holy Name Society give a mask party on Shrove Tuesday and had a big crowd, an nearly everybody seem to be bent on having a good time, with the exception of one or two couples that dressed an danced like they couldn't tell the difference between a respectable place and the low dives they are probably in the habit of patronizing. however, when there are only three or four rowdies among several hundred very decent peeple, i would call it a respectable party, because they was so few of them, is probably why they attract so much attention.
they was a lot of funnv costums an some of them was clever, an the prize for the funniest costume was give to joe Pieschel who was dress as "Maggie," an mrs. Helen Jackson representing "Topsy" won the other prize for the mos original costume. "Topsys" hubby was their 2 but he was too dressed up for the hubby of a poor kid wot wasn't even born, an didn't have no mother, all he look like a "crap-shootin sport."
"topsys" existance was acounted for because her mother, Mrs. Cullen come in with her "buddy," Mrs. Wagner, an they was made up like a cupple of green hicks from the country and nobody nowed em on acount of, with her dizzy line, you woodent picture Cullen as a "hoosier."
wel Charlie, now that lent is hear, i hope that you are doin sumthing to atone for your many short-comings, an wile i no you aint the worse feller in the world, they is probably room for lots of improvement. so i hope you aint like my daughter. wen i ask her wot she was goin to give up for Lent she said she didn't make up her mind yet. an i said "i guess you don't want no new close on acount of you wont go out much and you wont need no money for candy or ice cream," an everything i menshion she said she didn't have to give that up, an finely i got soar an said "i guess you figger on givin up castor oil."
Your pertickler friend an uncle,
HENRY
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1928
BACK TO LET'S GO, 1925-1932
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