Letters from Lida - 149

Giessen, March 24, 1932

 Dear Parents and Siblings,

I enjoyed your dear Purim letter and accompaniments, and I  hope that you have also enjoyed Purim. I am enclosing a card from Mrs. Beith, as well as a picture that was taken by a Jewish student. The plate [illegible] with print came into my possession for 10 German Reichstaler. Last Sunday I was in Wetzlar with two higher employees, and we went to the theater there for Romeo and Juliet. Fun? That was a rip-off. I’ve always had time for the classics [illegible] Goethe year [illegible] I saw a few classical pieces last season. If a playwright were to write such a piece today, at least with regard to Act I, it would fail because it’s kitsch. I had no idea what was going on, as I hadn’t read the piece in a very long time, & then only superficially, the others, otherwise cultured people, were constantly telling me [illegible].  [illegible short sentence]. Romeo’s Julia was the only thing I knew about it when I got to the theater, which surprised the others, who knew nothing at all. Eventually we worked our way into the tragic affair.

 Were there deaths at the end! One stabbed the next one, and the rest poisoned themselves or stabbed themselves at the end – a right [illegible] ticklish affair, it makes you laugh.  Two farm women from the Harburg area sat three rows ahead of me, I’d love to know what they made of it --.

 
Yesterday I was a marriage witness at the registry office. I almost choked laughing. The Chasen was  rather cheiric. When the official had read everything through, and asked him if he agreed, say yeah or nay, he said, “yeah or nay?” Vilma should have been there, and the Lahn would have flooded its banks.

 Now for something different. I was supposed to move into 2 rooms parterre here for the same rent. [parterre is a room that’s partly underground]. Then G wanted to rent it to someone else, I got 150 offers from a small ad,  and this morning I’m going to view something. Last night a local businessman asked me if I want full board, because he has a sister-in-law, a [illegible] Jewish widow (full board 85-). The room is of itself nothing special, I can use her parlor and library. If it weren’t for two nephews, I’d certainly move there, but one somewhat frivolous person, and you can’t tell if he doesn’t goniff. But as I said, I’m thinking it over, also, old Mrs. Gr. is pleading with me, will lower her price and two adjoining rooms are not to be taken lightly. She’ll even pay for the ad. (Goyim can live well here for 65-70 full board). Sunday I’ll first attend the wedding, then maybe to Mainzlau on Monday; I haven’t been there in a long time; I should also go to Ehringshausen bei Wetzlar; Monday there’s yet another wedding here.

 Otherwise, nothing has happened. I hope you’re hale and happy and wish you gut Shabbat gut Woch. Cordial greetings and kisses, your loyal and thankful son Joseph. Cordial greetings to all [illegible signature of someone else]