The next installment.
Mr. Harold Lufkin, V.P. Feb. 9, 1961
Newton Mfg. Co.
Newton, Iowa
Dear Mr. Lufkin:
I have no typewriter as David took it off to College, but thought (if you can read it) that it was time I told you how I enjoyed your letter about your younger days.
Somewhere, in my memory is something I have read about Colfax. Some chap described his childhood there and he had a great deal to say about the trains going by and their whistle, and also the River (is there a River there)? At any rate he (like yourself) loved the trains and he said they had spoiled the River by taking the curves and bends out of it, etc.
Also as I remember it the chap either bought or lived on an Island in the Pacific, and has no more use for us and the Helter, Skelter life. I am quite sure I read the article in either the Readers Digest or the Post some years ago. Anyway Colfax immediately “Struck a Chord” and I knew it was a pleasant memory for someone.
I had no idea some of your forebears came from my Rockbound Coast of Maine. Perhaps that is why at times he was a little “Cold and Stiff” as you say. Mr. Scott of Marines all have that reputation, and for those who (in the good old days never got out of the State it was quite true.
You have to get out into the world and absorb some of its warmth before you can surprise only yourself.
As soon as I graduated from High School, I took the next train out of Ellsworth and I met some very warm and happy people of all Nations in New York City and I like to think that I absorbed at least a little of their warmth. There is not much warmth in New York City today though.
I would say your ancestors on both sides of the fence did pretty well, and I certainly agree that once the Sea touches you, that a part of it always remains.
The only part of it I see these days are “Scenes and Sounds” on TV commercials. They have some beautiful Surf on Narragansett Bell ads, and the Sea Gulls and their lonely cries on Carling Ale, and it just makes me furious (and me not a tee totaler) that they tie in such beauty with such nasty stuff as beer.
I feel the same way when I see one of our great athletes puffing on a cigarette and extolling its virtues. Why do we, the public allow the clean and the unclean to be tied together without any complaint?
I am sending along one Editorial from the Waterbury Republican which seems to “hit the nail on the head,” even though the substance of it was taken way back in the year I was born ,and for worriers like myself, I suppose we can take comfort form the next to the last paragraph.
It is most discouraging to notice the almost daily headlines are about the thieves in big Corporations, the dishonesty of our police force and worst of all the behavior of our youth who are the ultimate survival of our nation.
Janet has done a fine job with our sons and there surely will be a place in Heaven for her, when that time (which I hope is far away) comes. I take no credit whatsoever, as I do not have the patience and understanding that she does and of course children cannot survive as free and healthy individuals without it.
I have always thought that if this Country gave Oscars to its Mothers instead of the Movie Stars that it would be more to the point. Ah Men! I’m an impossible Old Codger anyway.
Still four feet of snow on the level in Norfolk but the Sun is high enough now so that it will settle a little each day.
Again, I enjoyed your pre-Christmas letter immensely and am sorry to be so late telling you so. You tell Mrs. that Leila is one of my favorite names.
Sincerely,
Leon
Tags: Pop's Letters
