Dancing In a Jar

by Poynter Adele

  That’s all from here at the moment. I am counting the days until you both arrive, hopefully with you coming first!

  I’m grateful I brought my rug hooking. Mother keeps trying to interest me in painting dishes with her, a task I never enjoyed before and certainly can’t appreciate now.

  I’ve sent some beautiful cotton fabric to the Etchegary girls. I discovered it in my hope chest and can’t think of a better use. They can make shift dresses for their work at the telegraph office and I know they will love it. I’ve written Olivia, Gertie, Ena, and Mrs. G too, so if you see them tell them a letter is winging its way.

  Daddy will mail this on his way back to the drugstore. Everyone sends their love to you, especially me.

  U

  St. Lawrence, Newfoundland

  November 30, 1934

  Urla darling,

  I’m dashing you a quick note that will hopefully get to you from the Grand Bank post office. We have had three days of strong SSWesterly gales, filling the harbor with pans of ice from the Gulf. As a result, the ore ship can’t get in, and nothing else either. Mr. Louis is attempting the road to Grand Bank tomorrow morning so I’m giving him this to mail.

  I don’t want you to panic yet, but it won’t be possible for me to leave here until the ore has left the wharf. Of course, it won’t be possible for me to leave here until the ship lands to take me. In any event, we need a good wind change to make either possible.

  Father Thorne insists he is doing everything possible in the upstairs department to get me there.

  I’ll get this over to Mr. Louis now. He and I have a regular evening date to listen to Amos and Andy. He became a fan while he was rum running in the States and insists it was part of the reason he bought a radio. Of course half the population of the lane also comes to listen!

  Keep your fingers crossed and spirits up.

  My love always,

  Don

  TELEGRAPH

  TO MR DA POYNTER

  DECEMBER 11 1934

  ST LAWRENCE NEWFOUNDLAND

  BABY GIRL ARRIVED THIS MORNING STOP MOTHER AND

  BABY DOING WELL STOP 8 POUNDS 14 OUNCES STOP

  JOY ALL AROUND STOP MOTHER FULL STOP

  TELEGRAPH

  TO MRS DA POYNTER

  DECEMBER 11 1934

  NUTLEY NEW JERSEY

  JOY OF SAFE ARRIVAL TRUMPS SADNESS OF MY

  ABSENCE STOP WELCOME LITTLE BARBARA ADELE STOP

  BE HOME SOON LOVE TO YOU BOTH DONALD FULL STOP

  245 Hillside Avenue

  Nutley, New Jersey

  Christmas Day, 1934

  Dear Don,

  Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would be celebrating this Christmas without you. I think about you every moment and I’m so glad you are joining Mrs. G again for Christmas day. I can picture every part of your day and that gives me some comfort.

  Nor in my wildest dreams did I think I could love a little creature as I love Barbara. She is so pink and vibrant and round that it brings a smile to my face just to clap eyes on her. She is so interested in everything going on around her that sometimes feeding can be a frustrating affair, but I quickly forgive her. She is just two weeks old today and has regained to her birth weight. Mother and Dad have fixed up my own infant cradle, so Barbara and I are quite comfortable for now.

  Christmas here threatens to be very quiet and I can’t help but compare to last year. Here, most of the excitement happens outside the house—in restaurants or theaters or ballrooms whereas in St. Lawrence it all comes to you or to a neighbor down the road. So enjoy it all for me please.

  Ivah is home but always dashing to the latest and shiniest event, like a crow. She has been into the city a lot, taking in a number of Broadway plays. She has met some high-fliers at varsity and I wish I could like them more than I do, but I find them all quite superficial. Otherwise, it is great to see her, and she is her adorable self when she’s around Barbara. Even Mother has been caught humming and smiling to herself!

  Dorothy and Bill have visited with Sweet William, who looks like he will be a tall serious boy but for now is a very pleasant little chap. Bill is besotted with him and I have to admit to pangs of jealousy when I see the fun he has with him. But I’m hoping you will get to see your little girl very soon. Please let me know as soon as ship traffic resumes and we can fix dates for your arrival.

  I won’t last much longer tonight as I rose early this morning to a little beak looking for food, and then off to church where I bounced Barbara from one hip to the other to buy some silence. Remind me, if they ever visit, not to bring Mother and Daddy to church in St. Lawrence. Between the Latin and the multitudes under ten years old it might just be the end of them! I had forgotten how solemn the Methodists can be.

  The mummers will be heading your way tomorrow night, so fill me in on who you recognize and who manages to fool you. Please give my love to the Giovanninis, big and small, and know that I think of you every moment.

  Love,

  Urla and Barbara

  1935

  St. Lawrence, Newfoundland

  January 5, 1935

  Dear Urla,

  I know by now you have received my telegraph. I know that you are as disappointed as I am.

  We certainly did not see this one coming and Celestine Giovannini was more shocked than me. We think that over Christmas, with time off and liquor really running, Aloysius Turpin was able to convince a lot of men to stage a strike. I guess we had fooled ourselves that promises made in October could keep the men going through to Spring. Now we have a real problem, certainly a bigger one, and I have to put my thinking cap on for this one.

  It doesn’t help that I can’t reach Siebert anywhere. I know they have friends in Vermont and go there regularly over the Christmas period. I have sent telegraphs to his office and home, so am hoping for some direction very soon. I still feel showing up here in his tweed plus fours, felt fishing hat, and a fly rod straight out of the catalogue did not help convince anyone that this operation is truly strapped for cash. But that’s the party line and I have to follow it and encourage the men to do the same.

  On a lighter note, a shipment of goods from Saint Pierre managed to come overland through Grand Bank. The ice had dampened everyone’s spirits and supply of spirits! So Christmas was made brighter with some wonderful brandy and scotch, the finest I have ever tasted. On New Year’s Eve, Mr. Louis offered me delicately preserved dried fruit and chocolate and I dared not ask the provenance. Mrs. G’s Christmas dinner also seemed to benefit from some foreign supplies, so there were many contented faces around the table.

  For now, I will be doing what they call a “half board” at the Giovanninis. That way I can be sure of two good meals a day but go home to sleep. I’ve had lots of offers to help take care of me in your absence but prefer to keep things official especially as we go through this strike business.

  Don’t feel the need to defend me around any dinner table as I am happy to take care of that myself. I know no one there can appreciate the immediacy of this situation nor my need to be on site.

  Love to you both,

  Don

  24 Wayne Place

  Nutley, New Jersey

  January 21, 1935

  Dear Donald,

  Urla has just left with baby Barbara so I thought I would get a note off to you this evening. She really is the most darling baby and Urla doesn’t appear to have a feather out of her. I can’t imagine it is easy living with her parents and I offered her a place here with us if need be.

  I held afternoon tea for the Ladies Guild as I wanted them to meet the baby. I had to remind Urla to dress Barbara in the layette they had sent from Burgdorf’s. She looked very handsome indeed and everyone was tickled pink. Your wife has inherited her mother’s stubborn streak and for some reason always dresses Barbara in odd matinee jackets. She acquiesced today and everybody looked resplendent. We had the fine Decker china too and cream cakes, so you will be happy to know the family was well presen
ted.

  We are well into winter here. The fireplaces are going constantly and I am tired of asking your father to install central heating like the Vannellis have next door. He travels to Philadelphia a lot these days, going by train, often coming back with another salesman he has met. So keeping the house warm while he’s gone is a chore. Howard seems to have eyes for no one but Violet and darned if I can figure that one out.

  Poor Edith is back and forth to the city, even when it is thirty degrees outside. She is working so hard and has auditioned for some minor parts off Broadway. You would be so proud to see the time she puts in practicing.

  I hate to remind you but it would be so lovely if she had a fur to keep her warm going back and forth. I understand they are very reasonable up your way and I’ve seen quite a few at Sunday church. Mine can certainly wait but perhaps you could find your way to send one home for E? If that isn’t possible, would you mind if we took the money from your account here and looked around for a bargain?

  King is scratching at the door, so I will close this letter for now.

  Love always,

  Mother

  P.S. Pop says all kinds of opportunity is opening up in Phila and you would only be a couple of hours away.

  245 Hillside Avenue

  Nutley, New Jersey

  February 2, 1935

  Dear Don,

  Well the groundhog certainly went back into his hole today, as the sun is filling the sky. I swear I could almost feel Spring when I took Barbara for her walk this morning. I think that might be the first sun she’s had on her face and, like a good Poynter, she seemed to revel in it.

  We left Hillside Avenue and walked along Grant, watching the squirrels scampering about in the old leaves. We stopped in to visit Daddy, aka Grandpa, at the drug store where I had my favorite vanilla soda while Barbara slept, oblivious to her many fans. That was her Nutley walk.

  At night, in the quiet of our bedroom, I take her on walks in St. Lawrence. Sometimes we head down to Farrell’s store, greet everyone around the wood stove, and buy molasses candy before we continue on, around the landwash, looking for bottles with messages in them.

  Other times, we go down to the telephone office where Florence and Kathleen make a huge fuss over her and she plays with their balls of wool like a kitten. Maybe we go to visit Mr. Louis who bounces her on his knee, clapping her hands in time with his feet.

  Tomorrow night I think I’ll take her up on the high road for some fresh bread and butter at the Turpins, greeting the cows along on the way.

  I’m anxious for some news from you about the strike. Mrs. G has written to say everyone is a little on edge. Keep your spirits up, darling, and hopefully Siebert will come through soon.

  Although I miss our evenings around the radio, I have been enjoying the treat of having radio reception in the afternoon. I put Barbara down for her nap and turn on CBS to hear The Kate Smith Matinee. This is so wonderful and I wish we could listen together. I’m learning the words to “When the Moon Comes over the Mountain” and will serenade you when I’m home.

  Yours always,

  U

  St. Lawrence, Newfoundland

  February 3, 1935

  Dear Urla,

  I wish I had something to report other than Siebert’s intransigence. He actually wrote that we wouldn’t be working that hard this time of year anyway and can afford to delay a few orders, claiming that shipping wouldn’t be possible until the Spring. He also suggested we could take on new men when they returned from the Winter fishery and then gear up production in April or May. I was impressed he knew about the Winter fishery but not by much else. He doesn’t seem to understand what a strike does to motivation and trust. He also seems to forget these men support families and a strike means no money at the hardest time of the year.

  I have been keeping a low profile but did go with Mrs. G to the Candlemass service at the church last night. No one here has heard of the groundhog and instead everyone carried candles to the altar to be blessed and then the church was lit only by candlelight—a very moving affair.

  Of course, it’s all about prayer around here now that Lent has started. After supper Mrs. G makes me a cup of coffee and I find that chair you loved to sit in, fill my pipe, and settle in. As soon as I hear “First Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane” I know it’s my cue to leave. The whole family is on its knees in a circle around Mrs. G who clacks away on the prayer beads. Poor Walter always glances up at me as I tiptoe out and I’m sure he wants to escape too.

  As I walk home I know that it’s the same picture in every house. If a meteorite were to hit the town at this moment, archaeologists would find the whole population on their knees, with the exception of one lone Methodist on the road.

  That’s all for now from me. Not a very inspiring letter I know but I’m hoping something breaks soon. At least that’s what I asked Mrs. G to pray for last night.

  Love to you both,

  Don

  St. Lawrence Corporation Ltd.

  St. Lawrence, Newfoundland

  February 8, 1935

  Dear Mom and Pop,

  Thank you for your letter of January 21st. I hope the house has warmed up a little.

  Things are quite tense here with the strike, but I wanted to let you know that mail is getting through. All the ice is gone from the harbor and freight is moving well. Ironically, all the lumber has arrived for the mill, a major project we will start in the Spring. I have to hand it to Siebert that he came through on that and somehow managed to get the tariffs lifted. Now if I could just get him to turn his attention to the strike. Although I don’t make this position known locally, I am pushing for a ten percent wage increase, and proper change facilities at the mine site.

  I appreciate your note, Pop, on negotiating with a firm hand and not letting things “turn into a circus.” I can understand that, from your end, the entire situation looks like a bit of a circus. Believe me, many days I feel I am flying trapeze between the union and Siebert. But if anything goes wrong it is me who falls 200 feet to his death.

  When I wrote that some of these people are my friends now I didn’t mean to suggest that I am therefore blinded to the financial realities of the situation. I knew when I got myself into this that Siebert would always be scrambling for financing. But now we are well into it, the men have been working hard, we are filling orders and money is coming in somewhere. There is really no sense comparing what’s going on here to the steel mills in Philadelphia. We are worlds apart.

  Mother, I appreciate you reminding me of my commitment to get Edith a fur coat. I should let you know that Father Thorne was over for a game of cribbage last night and you can rest easy after I consulted him. He assures me that under no circumstances will the world come to an end if Edith doesn’t get a fur coat right now.

  I’m so pleased to hear that Urla and Barbara are doing well. As it looks now, she will get back here to join me faster than I will get free to join her. I will know for sure in a few weeks. Please don’t say anything to her until then.

  Love to all,

  Donald

  St. Lawrence, Newfoundland

  February 14, 1935

  Dear Urla,

  Happy Valentine’s Day to both my girls. I hope the flowers arrived this morning as requested. Mother’s mood in placing the order would have depended on whether Pop kept up his end of the bargain. I hope he has learned how to buy peace at home!

  On this day I am not writing about the mine at all. Instead, I will let you in on the latest goings-on in town. Remember I told you that we have had a lot of cutters coming in and out of the harbor lately, reminding anyone smuggling that they are around. Well, the other day I was coming back to Mrs. G’s for lunch when Cecil Farrell stopped me on the road. He heard that a cutter was on the way from Burin with customs officials ready to give the town a thorough going over. He advised me to put away anything we had smuggled in. When I walked into the house the place was in an uproar. None of the men w
ere home, so Mrs. G had neighbor women helping her hide things in the snow banks!

  Out went cigarettes, tobacco, rubber boots, raisins, vanilla, scotch, rum and a lot more. Sure enough, about fifteen minutes later Mr. Cutter came around the Cape. They landed at the dock and hot-footed directly up to Farrell’s store.

  I have to admit to being a little shocked at how brutal they were. They arrive with axes and saws and can really pull a place apart and no one can stop them. They can point to anything in your house or shop and charge you with smuggling if you haven’t got the original receipt.

  After turning Farrell’s upside down, they headed up to the Becks. Their eyes landed on the kitchen stove, which of course arrived in a full moon one night! Lo and behold they then came here. They didn’t look in our old part of the house but went right through to the kitchen looking at the same stove as the Becks have, which of course arrived in the same manner. Mrs. G remained calm, and I suspect like everyone else in town was just relieved it didn’t start to rain and melt the snow banks!

  From there things only became more intriguing. The next day, the Magistrate arrived to try Mr. Beck and Mr. G. Of course, the Magistrate stays at the Giovannini’s every time he comes. That means that for the last two years he has been eating his meals off the very stove he is here to punish them for having. He is also an old hunting buddy of Mr. Beck, so the trial should be interesting.

  I will write you later with the conclusion of our little drama. Now there is a story to tell Barbara in the evening. The tide-watcher is here so I’m going to give him this letter quickly.

  Love to you both,

  Don

  P.S. Miss Fewer is surely counting how many letters I am sending you and vice versa. I swear she gets more excited than I do when she recognizes your handwriting on the envelope. She’s been very good to us and I’m hoping you bring her back a little something when you return.

  St. Lawrence, Newfoundland