Childhood Fun

Great-grandfather Gene went to St. Louis for the 1904 World's Fair. Grandpa Fred was barely a month old so he, his mother Anna, and his 21-month-old brother Charley stayed with her family in Rockbridge. Gene took Walter, his 14-year-old son from his first marriage, with him.

He brought back personalized ruby-flashed  paperweights for both of his good boys.

 

Cincinnati 9/12

8:30 P.M.

Dear Fred, Charlie and Mamma,

        We arrived here at 5:35. Just now pulling out for St. Louis. Both well. Wish you were all with us. Be good boys and "Gene" will bring you something.

With love,

Papa

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St. Louis, Mo Sept. 13

7 P.M.

Dear Charley, Fred and Mamma,

        We arrived here at this morning at 7:30. Have put in one hard day. The fair is too big. Both well but awful tired. Hope all is well at home.

POP

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My great-grandmother Anna probably took her two boys for a visit with her family in Rockbridge. 

Logan, Oct. 3, 06 

Dear Charlie,

        I would like to see you to night. I am well but so tired. I hope you have been good to Mamma and little brother. Well see you Saturday evening. Much love,

Papa

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Logan, Oct. 3, 06 

Dear Fred,

        As I can not see you tonight I will write you a letter. Papa misses his little boys very much. I will see you Saturday evening. Be good to Mamma and brother Charlie. With love to the boys and Mamma.

Papa

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This is an undated school assignment from Charley for which he got 100 percent. I used to have a photo of Charley with Pearl, but it was destroyed in a 2016 house fire.

I am the _____ "Devil"

        I'm only a little devil -- just a little printers devil.

        I am the black faced kid who inhabits every real printing office.

        Once in a while I work and then I get the best jobs -- the ones the other guys won't do.

        My face stops all stray sponges flying around in the air.

        I tear up forms and constantly get lice in my eyes. That's a funny place for lice but then these are funny lice.

        It is I who chases the town over hunting a paper stretcher or carrying a bundle of nice bricks from one office to another -- only to learn my folly too late.

        Pi for breakfast, pi for dinner and pi for supper, always pi and always the same flavor.

        My only cosmetics are ink and lye water. Occasionally I use benzene.

        I have only one friend around the plant -- my little Pearl. And how weary I get, how my arms ache and my back breaks as I stand before her poking one sheet after another into her little ravenous jaws. Pearl is my little press.

        I got a pony too and like Pearl she too is always hungry for paper and ink. My pony never kicks. She ain't got no legs.

        I cut paper day after day but I got to fix it so Pearl can eat.

        I am also a judge -- a judge of type. I sort out the good type and put the bad ones in the hell box.

        But after all I feel highly honored when some well known personage calls for a package and the editor tells him to go to the devil. Some life.

        Chas. Huls

 

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