The Life and Letters of Kate Gleason

5 Spreading Wings

39 CHAPTER 5 Spreading Wings Rochester, N.Y., April 18th Dear Jim, Here is a chance to distinguish yourself. The Empire Well Auger Co. of Ithaca inquire[d] this morning for a 30’ taper attachment lathe to turn 5’ 6” between centers. And we have written them that our Mr. James Gleason is in their city and we have requested him to call. Enclosed please find list price of lathes about that size. We are quoting sharp up to list now because we are so busy but as we are particularly anxious that you should take the first order you go after same as I did, you are to quote them 5 per cent off this list and if you are crowded 7 & ½ per cent. Time of delivery six weeks. Though we are quoting ten weeks to three months now but Father wants you to take this order badly, so do I. If they say anything about Lodge-Davis ’s lathe you might casually mention that Kesselman & Co. of Butler, Pa. has just put out a L.D. Co. taper attachment lathe and put in one of ours but don’t say it unless you have to because it is poor policy to run down other people’s tools. We will make the 26” lathe swing 28” without extra cost and the 30” swing 32”. I enclose circular giving dimensions, a photo of the 30” lathe and a photo of the new shafting lathe because it is the only photo we have yet showing the new attachment for reversing feed in the apron. You want to explain that to them and tell them we are very anxious to have one of our latest improved lathes in the town. Wear your best clothes and your sweetest smile and get that order if it’s to be got. Yours lovingly, Kate1 40 the life and letters of kate gleason Apparently, Jim did not get the order, and on April 22, Kate wrote, somewhat soothingly: Dear Jim, Yours rec’d. Once in a while the Gleason family does get left and there’s nothing like selecting an appropriate time for that little ceremony. Now we didn’t want that auger Co. order any more than a cod-fish wants a gold watch and chain, it takes all my leisure moments now trotting up street to wire belligerent customers that we are working all hands on their particular tools and will ship them early next week or next month or something to that effect and if I had one more on the list it would probably be the last strain that would make my gigantic intellect a blank. Enclosed you will please find a token of my affection in the line of a neck-tie. Please return the photo of 30" lathe next time you write, not the shafting lathe, believe you said you were going to honor Prof. Canaga with that, but the regular. These cost 12 & 1/2 cts each and I can’t afford to waste it on you now your customer has gone up in smoke. Lovingly, Kate2 A week later, Jim replied, deftly changing the subject: April 28, 89 Dear Kate, Yours received with necktie all safe: Please accept quite a number of compliments on your ability to select neckties of the latest. Now Kate you are to receive an invitation to the D.U. reception for May 10. If Emma Michel and yourself are in the mood for a spring spree it would be a grand idea to accept. Emma will get one also. Yours, Jim3 By this time it was Andrew’s turn to forego his high school studies and to work in the shop with his father and sister. On April 28, 1889, he reported to Jim at Cornell: There has been six lathe hands layed off during the last month; three were sick and three had their fingers taken off. I have been particularly lucky. I haven’t got cut since I began. You see it’s got to a place where my work makes a big difference. Spreading Wings 41 We are going to have chicken and greens and lemon pie for supper. Oh don’t you wish you were home. Emma is sick today so this will be the first Sunday since you went away that she has not been over to supper. A.G.4 On April 30, Kate declined the D.U...