C O P Y
En route to Boston, October 1
1922
Dear Cousin Virginia:
I have been wanting to write you a few lines about Cousin Carl Gauss,
whom I met when I was in Germany ten years ago, and to whom the whole
family connection has been so kind. Your niece, Anne Gauss, wrote
that she knew nothing about him and would like to know more, so perhaps
you'll pass this on to her. It's because of her request for more
information that I'm writing you!- An indirect answer, but I thought
you would be interested, too.
He's a fine type of German, a man of education and culture, with a taste
for music and art. He plays the cello and all his children play
some instrument, he told me - so they have quite a family orchestra.
A grand piano and cello were in the rooms he was living in when I visited
him in Hameln. Most of the big house was closed up, for his children
were all gone and he was living alone there, with one maid to take care
of him in some big pleasant rooms on the second floor. The library
I remember with special pleasure, for the evening when we sat there
and he showed me all the family heirlooms he treasures so carefully.
One by one he produced them from a safe at the other end of the room
- which seemed very long with the lamp shadows and dark, book-lined
walls.
He took me walking through the old town (its the Hameln or "Hamlin"
of the Pied Piper, you know), and up over the hills back of it, and
stopped on the way back to introduce me to one of his old cronies.
It was mid-winter and my impressions of the house were of warmth and
comfort, after cold, snowy hills. He had always had ample means,
and he took pleasure in showing me the portraits of his children, hanging
still in the closed portions of the house. But I felt he was lonely,
in the empty house. I hope some of the children are there with
him now, but I don't know. We should hear from him soon now, though,
and perhaps he will tell us more about the children. I asked him to.
He seemed of rather a sombre disposition - perhaps it was his loneliness
- but he was openly depressed over the future of Germany under Prussian
domination. said if he were a younger man, he would emigrate to
Italy, - that the taxes levied for army and navy were crushing the country.
I saw him twice, - at his home when I was there alone, and also the
summer before, when Mother and Aunt Mary Graham were with me and he
joined us at Gottingen, in time for the dedication of the Gauss Tower
on one of the hills, half an hour's train-ride out of the old town.
that was quite a thrilling occasion, with eminent men from all over
Germany gathering thereto participate in the celebration. You
know Cousin Carl's father (Joseph) and my grandfather were half-brothers.
I am on my way now to Boston where I spend ten months of the year at
Denison House, the college settlement. I like the work but I miss
my family. They are all well, but its always hard to leave.
I hope some day we'll wee more of your family. with greetings
to all,
Affectionately your cousin,
Helen Gauss
(of Colorado Springs, Colo.)
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