Thanksgiving
In November 1909 left Marion and James at at Avon Street and went to Lynn, Mass. to be editor-in-chief of the Lynn News
(evening paper). Marion brought James to Lynn to live in February 1910 and we had a flat near Lynn Beach, overlooking the ocean.
The paper had been bought by James Bolton, whom George had worked with his year off college.
The new father had to cope with starting out in a new city - and taking on new responsibilities at a paper - leaving his family behind for a while. Here is a letter he wrote home shortly after arriving:
"At home office - Thursday night, 8:30-
My dear little wife and good mother:-
Being pressed for time and sleep I sat down to write you both, having neglected it last evening because I worked till late and was so tired. Just as I started the introductory the bright idea came to me to make it all in one letter, knowing you would not mind. Although I have been here most a week I have not taken the reins in full yet, but will Monday or the first of next week. I am only suggesting and directing in part, at present, and getting acquainted. Already the sheet looks more lively and clean, I think. I received your letters and you can imagine how glad I was to hear. Thanks for your words of love and encouragement. They help a lot and are the incentive for all things.
open. In the morning I arise, dress, and walk to the office
which takes me for at least three quarters of a mile along the ocean front on the splendid concrete walk. The air is bracing and by the time I have reached the center of the city, where the office is located, I feel able to eat more than I can afford
to, either for the sake of my pocket book or my health.
This morning was clear and the sun was just rising, as I started toward the office. It was prefectly magnificent. As the rim of the great fiery disk appeared above the surface of the waters, as it seemed, the intervening sea was a pathway of gold. Then, as it cleared the ocean and started on its journey through the heavens, the whole expanse was lighted, and gleamed and sparkled in refulgent splendor. Far out beyond that Island which you saw in the postal pictures, I don't remember the name, the great ocean liners, or rather one of them, was speeding down the coast, probably making for Boston. Then there was a sail or two so far distant that the hull was below the horizon and only the canvas of the ship was visible. 'Hull down' the sailors say of a ship seen that way.
I stood fully five minutes leaning on the sea wall, gazing out over the deep and wondering if I will ever be fixed so that I can again taste the joy of those school day experiences when 'My joy of youthful sports was on thy breast to be borne, like thy bubbles, onward: from a boy I wantoned with thy breakers - they to me were a delight; and if the freshening sea made them a terror- 'twas a pleasing fear, for I was as it were a child of thee and trusted to thy billows far and near, and laid my hand upon thy name as I do here.' I thought that never had the ocean, and you know I have seen the ocean but comparatively few times, seemed so like: 'The image of eternity- the throne of the invisible'.
I always hesitate to talk of my love for the sea for fear you dear ones will wonder if it does not make me love my home ties the less. Again let Byron speak for me, as he puts it so much more beautifully than I can ever hope to do:
I love not man the less, but nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be or have been before,
To mingle with the universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.
My room costs me two and a half a week and while small is comfortable and clean and its location alone is worth double the price.
I trust that you are all well and that Aunt Eunice and Grandma Armstead, Grandma Grannis, Aunt Ella, Aunt Julia and all the other relatives are in usual health and happiness. It is mighty queer to be up here alone and lonesome too, I tell you. I hope that everything is going to be fine and think that the experience is going to be something great for me. Lynn expenses are high so that my salary won't be any too big. Rents are scarce and costly but clothing is not more expensive as it can be purchased in Boston at metropolitan prices. I don't know about the prices of food.
I like to get my kisses from Jimmie by mail much better than first hand, when he is spouting discarded milk like Old Faithful. My kisses from wifey and mother I prefer in the usual manner and as you, Marion, sent me a hundred by mail, I find that delivered in that way, a hundred at once is not a bit too many.
Bolton writes me that there are changes being made in the editorial department of the Leader [George's previous paper, in New Haven]. I wonder if he means Pickett is being forced out, or if it is the help he refers to. Perhaps Webster is going or the new city editor has not made good. I hope it is the latter although that is mean, no doubt.
I am going to have a dandy little private office finished off in the reportorial department if plans mature as now laid. It will be splendid. I like the town very much and think you will, Marion, and Mother too, when you come. I start to run the editorial page Monday as I have it planned, and my editorials are already written for the first day, with the change in headings for the page etc. I am in hopes that the new type ordered and a title line for the paper will have arrived, so that all the changes can be made at once.
It is going to be almighty hard work for some time and you dear ones at home will have to do the bulk of the letter writing and let me give all my energies to work, save keeping you posted on the progress of things of import that happen to me.
I have just $1.50 left and unless Bolton sends me some money before Saturday noon, as I have asked him to do I can't come home without borrowing from Goodridge, the president of the old corporation who is the only man I know well enough to ask. Bolton will send it all right, but it might not reach me in time. My room rent is paid so that I shall not have to sleep in the park and I guess I can make the money stretch out for the feed. I am getting fat so a fast would really be a blessing, even if uncomfortable.
Give my love to Aunt Eunice and to all. There are so many that I won't attempt to name all to whom I send it. Hope that everything is all O. K. with you and will see you Saturday night if it is possible.
Aunt Eunice Armstead - sister of George's father, who never married - wrote him while he was was getting established in Lynn:
"82 Cottage St, New Haven CT, Nov. 19, 1909
My dear nephew George,
Your editions of the news for Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 have just passed must with me. I read every one of the editorials and I am proud of you. Your success is ensured. I only wish your beloved father could read and feel proud and happy too. I wish we could show the papers to your uncle Harry, too. He was anxious you should cultivate a literary style, and I know he would be glad of your success.
The new father had to cope with starting out in a new city - and taking on new responsibilities at a paper - leaving his family behind for a while. Here is a letter he wrote home shortly after arriving:
"At home office - Thursday night, 8:30-
My dear little wife and good mother:-
Being pressed for time and sleep I sat down to write you both, having neglected it last evening because I worked till late and was so tired. Just as I started the introductory the bright idea came to me to make it all in one letter, knowing you would not mind. Although I have been here most a week I have not taken the reins in full yet, but will Monday or the first of next week. I am only suggesting and directing in part, at present, and getting acquainted. Already the sheet looks more lively and clean, I think. I received your letters and you can imagine how glad I was to hear. Thanks for your words of love and encouragement. They help a lot and are the incentive for all things.
| I have a room on that boulevard which I told you of in a house that faces the street on the opposite side of which is the ocean beach. It is about the same distance to the water from the house at Cox's or the Sea View hotels are, at the Rock. I am lulled to sleep by the steady tread of the breakers as they rolling from the mighty deep. They have not been big yet it has been such mild weather with us. Today was warm enough to have doors and windows |  |
This morning was clear and the sun was just rising, as I started toward the office. It was prefectly magnificent. As the rim of the great fiery disk appeared above the surface of the waters, as it seemed, the intervening sea was a pathway of gold. Then, as it cleared the ocean and started on its journey through the heavens, the whole expanse was lighted, and gleamed and sparkled in refulgent splendor. Far out beyond that Island which you saw in the postal pictures, I don't remember the name, the great ocean liners, or rather one of them, was speeding down the coast, probably making for Boston. Then there was a sail or two so far distant that the hull was below the horizon and only the canvas of the ship was visible. 'Hull down' the sailors say of a ship seen that way.
I stood fully five minutes leaning on the sea wall, gazing out over the deep and wondering if I will ever be fixed so that I can again taste the joy of those school day experiences when 'My joy of youthful sports was on thy breast to be borne, like thy bubbles, onward: from a boy I wantoned with thy breakers - they to me were a delight; and if the freshening sea made them a terror- 'twas a pleasing fear, for I was as it were a child of thee and trusted to thy billows far and near, and laid my hand upon thy name as I do here.' I thought that never had the ocean, and you know I have seen the ocean but comparatively few times, seemed so like: 'The image of eternity- the throne of the invisible'.
I always hesitate to talk of my love for the sea for fear you dear ones will wonder if it does not make me love my home ties the less. Again let Byron speak for me, as he puts it so much more beautifully than I can ever hope to do:
I love not man the less, but nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be or have been before,
To mingle with the universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.
My room costs me two and a half a week and while small is comfortable and clean and its location alone is worth double the price.
I trust that you are all well and that Aunt Eunice and Grandma Armstead, Grandma Grannis, Aunt Ella, Aunt Julia and all the other relatives are in usual health and happiness. It is mighty queer to be up here alone and lonesome too, I tell you. I hope that everything is going to be fine and think that the experience is going to be something great for me. Lynn expenses are high so that my salary won't be any too big. Rents are scarce and costly but clothing is not more expensive as it can be purchased in Boston at metropolitan prices. I don't know about the prices of food.
I like to get my kisses from Jimmie by mail much better than first hand, when he is spouting discarded milk like Old Faithful. My kisses from wifey and mother I prefer in the usual manner and as you, Marion, sent me a hundred by mail, I find that delivered in that way, a hundred at once is not a bit too many.
Bolton writes me that there are changes being made in the editorial department of the Leader [George's previous paper, in New Haven]. I wonder if he means Pickett is being forced out, or if it is the help he refers to. Perhaps Webster is going or the new city editor has not made good. I hope it is the latter although that is mean, no doubt.
I am going to have a dandy little private office finished off in the reportorial department if plans mature as now laid. It will be splendid. I like the town very much and think you will, Marion, and Mother too, when you come. I start to run the editorial page Monday as I have it planned, and my editorials are already written for the first day, with the change in headings for the page etc. I am in hopes that the new type ordered and a title line for the paper will have arrived, so that all the changes can be made at once.
It is going to be almighty hard work for some time and you dear ones at home will have to do the bulk of the letter writing and let me give all my energies to work, save keeping you posted on the progress of things of import that happen to me.
I have just $1.50 left and unless Bolton sends me some money before Saturday noon, as I have asked him to do I can't come home without borrowing from Goodridge, the president of the old corporation who is the only man I know well enough to ask. Bolton will send it all right, but it might not reach me in time. My room rent is paid so that I shall not have to sleep in the park and I guess I can make the money stretch out for the feed. I am getting fat so a fast would really be a blessing, even if uncomfortable.
Give my love to Aunt Eunice and to all. There are so many that I won't attempt to name all to whom I send it. Hope that everything is all O. K. with you and will see you Saturday night if it is possible.
Aunt Eunice Armstead - sister of George's father, who never married - wrote him while he was was getting established in Lynn:
"82 Cottage St, New Haven CT, Nov. 19, 1909
My dear nephew George,
Your editions of the news for Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 have just passed must with me. I read every one of the editorials and I am proud of you. Your success is ensured. I only wish your beloved father could read and feel proud and happy too. I wish we could show the papers to your uncle Harry, too. He was anxious you should cultivate a literary style, and I know he would be glad of your success.
