Brookfield
June 24, 1866
Father:
Beg pardon for neglecting to write and answer your inquiries about work etc. It was a mistake of mine in thinking that I had written to you until I received a note from Edwin yesterday saying that you had not heard from me.
I presented the matter to Waldo in the letter but we could not hit upon any plan that would be practicable. Our stock is so varied and the kinds of work constantly changing that it would be very difficult to give you stock that would cut as you would want to. Our cutter have to use boys & youth bals along with our Wos & Misses – also Mens & Boys Belg counters & army counters and body stays.
Again Twitchell has always been oposed [sp.] to stock being taken fro the shop at all and would not hear at all to the proposition – especially now as times are. With our force in the cutting room we can keep a head of the bottomers and I suppose that is all they want – but I can put on two or three more men in the cutting room if necessary.
One of the men is going to leave this week I suppose and they will want a man in his place. If you happen to see a man a good workman that will come for 2.50 send along one or two. I hope we shan’t get any more poor help. I have five apprentices to look after and one or two old cutters that don’t know as much as the poorest apprentice. I find it very hard to deal with a man that has cut perhaps five times as long I have and yet knows as little about stock as when he had cut only six month – hard learning a man anything when he thinks he knows more than I do.
I always supposed that a man proficiency in a trade was measured by the extent of his experience – but the men we have had prove nearly the reverse – and I have come to this conclusion I’ll give more for a man that has not cut over two years than one that had cut longer. I am surprise to see how little real knowledge a man may have about stock and still be called a fair workman. If anything more comes to light I will report to you anything that may look toward your getting work her to cut at home.
A.P. Goodell
To Edwin
I wrote you at Boston last Sunday and supposed you received Monday Eve. I contained this that, I had found a place where your chum could board by paying the going price which was not settled. It is at Mr. D. Clapps where I boarded last year – our near neighbor when living on the hill. You remember the lady that you thought would not be hung for her beauty.
We are all well – shall be at home as I have five cents to buy “crackers” with having paid the last but that to the minister.
Waldo will probably be in Boston on the fourth week on a fishing excursion – perhaps you would like to join. Good night.
A.P. Goodell