Api
Hill, Mahagi, Belgian Congo, Africa.
Aug.
1. 1912
Dearest
Cora:
Don’t
know just when I last wrote you but guess you’ll get the
connection
if I go on from what I wrote them. I’m not sure this will
still
find you at Hooppole, but I’m going to address it there and
then put
on “please forward” and they’ll send it on to you.
I
have several letters here to answer. Your last was written or
started Apr. 28 and I got it July 22. But you really finished
May
17, so it wasn’t so bad after all. Am trying to get the
children
settled for the night. They like to romp and its hard for them
to
settle down. I will be glad when we get into a house where
they will
go to bed in a different room from where we are at work. Jno.
is
playing the organ. Raymond asked me to whom I was writing and
now he
& Claudon are saying “Aunt Cora”, over & over. Claudon
chatters every thing he hears whether its German, English,
Kingwana
or Luluru. We want him to learn English first and best but he
will
pick up some native language too and I don’t care if he does
only I
want him to get English best. R. was shown once which one was
you on
those post cards you sent and he remembers. They do have good
times
these days. Especially when days are pleasant. This is the
rainy
season & we’ve had rain and fog since last Sat. I washed
today. The first day one could dry anything. Got so tired for
there
were those kahki suits of Jno’s and they are so heavy. The boy
question is still very hard to settle. None work for more than
4
days at a time. We have sent to Kijabe for our boy Macaria
whom we
had before we left there. Even if we do have a boy who washes
dishes
we can’t leave him to do it or knives, forks or spoons are
missing.
and then too we can’t leave the tent so long as any one is
around
or there’s apt to be more than that missing. A boy I had had
for 4
days & who was coming back again was here a day or two
after he
finished and as he left and was passing the end of the tent he
discovered an opening and reached in & helpt himself to 3
bananas
that were hanging up to ripen. Jno wasn’t here and we’ve been
looking for him to come back. as I went down to Haas’s tent
this
morning he was sitting by the fire but by the time I came up
&
told Jno. he had gone. Jno wants to give him a spanking. He’s
not
a very big boy and ought to be punished in some way. First we
tho’t
of taking him to the Gov’t station for punishment - but it
would be
very severe and it will do just as much good to
thoroughly
frighten him. Some of the people here have been very mean in
taking
things for the Dr. & Miss Harland. They haven’t been
around
our tent that I know of. I think they know there’s no man in
the
girls tent and no gun. We keep a gun handy & let them know
it. When Macaria comes, if he comes, we will be so much more
free. Now I
can’t leave the tent hardly at all. Some times I station
Raymond
on the veranda to keep watch while I run down to the girls or
some
place. They don’t attempt much when R. is watching for he
yells &
screams if they don’t do as he wants them to.
We
have class at 2 P.M. every day. Dr. acts as teacher & Miss
Harland & I are pupils. We have nothing to work on but the
people themselves. We have a translation of John & Mark in
the
Acholi language which is similar to this and Dr is making up a
grammar from what she finds in these Gospels. She works out
something then tries it on the people and when its tested
&
remodeled then she gives it to us. We do some work too. All
work
together - there’s enough for us all. Jno is studying it too
but
he doesn’t come to class. I’m so tired & sleepy guess I’ll
have to finish another time.
Next
night. This is Friday night. Society night with you. Somehow I
feel tonight something like I used to at College sort of free
&
finished. And especially as I felt if I had some lessons out
for
Mon. for I’ve just finished my sentences for Mon. so I can
dismiss
that from my mind for two days.
Well,
this has been a day! Rain, rain, rain. Jno took on ten men
this
morning for extra amount of work and about every other hour
there was
a shower and so not much was accomplished. Just before 11 such
a rain came up. There’s a big mountain to one side of us and
the
clouds hang around it and then the wind brings them this way
and it
was interesting to see them today come nearer & nearer.
big heavy
black clouds and lighter ones too. We heard the rain quite a
while
before it came here and when it came my! Most like a cloud
burst. I
had just put a chicken on to fry and was heating up some
beans. Of
course the fires were put out by the rain but I brot the beans
in and
as Claudon was sleepy we ate our dinner not knowing when we’d
get
any thing hot again. Warmed up beans, bread & peanut
butter or
raspberry jam and bananas & cake to finish on. It was
still
raining when we had finished so we all had naps. When I
awakened it
was almost 1 and the rain had stopt and the boy was building a
fire. The men came & all went to work but by 3:30 it was
raining so
hard they had to stop again so Jno paid them off. You’d never
think that today could follow yesterday - they were so
different. And with all our sleeping today I’m more sleepy
tonight than I’ve
been in a long time. I don’t usually sleep at noon.
We
are so comfortable in the tent that I don’t mind a rain, no
matter
how hard it is if there is no wind but I’ll be glad when the
others
can get into a house. Their tents aren’t so large and
comfortable
as ours. Then with the store tent for boxes we have plenty of
room
for things and even a small passage way thro’ the middle. The
front pole is tied to a big tree so it will take a pretty hard
wind
to blow is away. However I always feel a little nervous when a
wind
comes up. I fear I always shall, a stone house with good roof
may
help some.
Now
do you see what I’m enclosing? I’d like you to get the copy
I’ve
marked for Lora & Alberts Xmas gift. Perhaps you can get
the
same thing cheaper or get something better for that price in
Chicago. If so, do so; I’d like that $7. one better but can’t
hardly
stand the price - if you can get it for $5. should be glad.
I’ve
sent for other things and you may just put that down with the
rest
when you send me the bill & I’ll write the Treas. to
forward
the whole amount to you. Wish I had that amount to spend on
all of
you but I haven’t and as Lora’s will be home yet I tho’t
‘twould save postage. I’ve been wanting to send them one of
these Bibles for some time but never really got at it. I use
one all
the time - the first $2 one. We each had one but one was taken
in
the boxes that went.
Yes
we get the Chronicle regularly. Never saw your story tho’. Saw
some nonsense about you intended sending it - don’t know if I
ever
did or not. if not ‘twas because the house blew down for it
was
just before that that I saw them & cut them out ready to
send.
You
do make our mouths water with your grand operas and
Shakespearean
plays. At Phila just before sailing Jno & I took in an
opera -
“Aida” at which Caruso was the tenor and Madam Gadske the
soprano. I had just had my eyes treated and couldn’t see much
but
the colors were grand. We tho’t we were going to be cheated
out of
it because Mrs. Adams after promising to look after Raymond
had to
give it up on account of Mr. A’s mother’s sickness. But as we
came back from our dinner who should step into the hall but
Mr.
Zemmer & Miss Thome. They were glad to stay and at night
Mr Z &
Jno took in “Merchant of Venice” Southern & Marlowe.
It
is nice that you can take in so much. Jno says I should tell
you if
you ever had a chance you should hear Bach’s Mass in B Minor.
He
says they have either that or St. Matthews Passion at the
Auditorium
every year. He just said next time we go home he is going to
spend
two weeks in Chicago taking in such things at night and
spending the
days going thro’ 2nd hand book stores. Some what of
a
contrast, not?
Perhaps
I’ve told you how I asked Mr. Zemmer who E.H.B. was and how
one
Sun. in English service they sat back of us and Raymond turned
around
and took a card out of Mr. Z’s hand & when he turned back
to
play with it I noticed Mr. Z. had written out the full name.
So I
had it even if you didn’t tell me. See? Well, it’s alright.
Mr. Z. also showed me a picture of him with the Band when Jno
was
there. I tho’t he was better looking on that than on this last
one
you sent. Broady looks like Miss McKinstry in this picture.
Have
I ever thanked you & Warren for the kerchiefs? I do now
any way. Warrens looked like a boy. Hope he’s got his throat
all fixed up
now, and that he’ll not have to miss so much school another
year.
Am
glad Lora looks so well & that China has not worked any
ravages
on her appearance. I know that can’t be said of me any more.
Since leaving Kijabe I’ve acquired the habit of scowling until
there’s a deep groove between my eyes. It’s not that I’m
annoyed but its because of the sun. Coming across Uganda I
scowled
until my head would hurt. Dark glasses helpt some but it is so
much
lighter here than what we were used to for two years that it
blinded
me in a way. Of late I’ve had several days of sick headache
again
too. Haven’t had that so much either since Claudon was born.
But
we must expect all kinds of devices will be used by Satan for
hindering the work here. It’s one of the last of his strong
holds.
Guess
I wrote you how I had tried to start school and 6 came &
when
they found we wouldn’t give them of our food they wouldn’t
come
for they said they had been told if they came to school and
ate the
food that they had been eating they would die. Just think!
It’s
one thing and another. When it isn’t the work or the people
then
it’s some one among us. O we just have to keep at fighting all
the
time. We can realize without half trying that we are in
Satan’s
territory alright but God’s work must go on and all we can do
is to
do our duty and leave the rest with Him.
Now
I’ve gotten up to the last letter of yours & as the rest
are
all asleep I think I’d better put things away too & crawl
in. My! how I wish you could see the children. Raymond is
growing so
fast & Claudon is such a sweety. Did I send you any of
those
last pictures? I’ve forgotten. Mr Gribble fixed some more for
us
& I can send you one if you haven’t any. The rats are
making
such a noise in the other tent. I have the trap set. Hope
they’ll
get in. Just fixed the yeast. It’s nice & light. Use green
bananas in place of potatoes as potatoes are scarce. Are
expecting
an order in next Wed. from Hoima - hope then to get some
potatoes. Goodnight sleep good. If I could talk instead of
write I’d not go
to bed at all.
Next
night. Sat. The children are bathed & in bed tho far from
asleep. We have two camp beds aside of each other and I sleep
on the
front one and Claudon aside of me on the other and Raymond
aside of
my feet. Their feet wold more than meet I think but Claudon
seldom
lies out straight and if he does they don’t seem to interfere
very
much. But it will be nice to have our nice bed to sleep on
when we
get our things up from Kijabe. R. just came & said “Mama
Claudon is hitting me, tell him not to”. I told him he should
fight his own battles and he tho’t that was very funny.
Do
you know what I’ve laid out to wear tomorrow? That skirt to
the
light suit I had of Mrs. Riebe’s - sort of a gray tan skirt
&
jacket do you remember? I left the jacket there by mistake.
Well
that skirt and do you remember a plain pink waist of Lora’s
with
embroidery insertion 3 strips down the front? I bro’t it out
the
first time I came. Well, I have worn the brown striped that
mama &
Aunt A. sent out and the blue with white rings that mother got
me &
Ada O & Alice helped make the last days. The brown I have
on now
but it’s all to pieces & I can’t
put it
on again. The blue is a little better, but will soon have to
be laid
aside too. When one has such handy 1 piece dresses it’s
awfully
hard to put on a waist & skirt. Do you remember those
light
green dresses Al & Agnes E. had alike? Well when I got R’s
coat dyed I put that in and now I’m putting it together as a 1
piece. There’s lots of wear in it yet and I hope to get a lot
of
good out of it. Then you remember that tan shambray piped in
red. Well I bro’t that along to fix into a whole dress. I’m
afraid
when those dresses come that Mulungit is bringing I’ll lay
this old
trash aside again. But I’d like to get them worn out.
I’ve
just been so hindered - how do you suppose - kisses.
Claudon
says “He tiss” then R. says “I want to kiss you” & I had
one on each side about as busy as they could be for awhile.
Claudon
is so cunning. Miss Harl [scrawled in] this is C’s mark -
Harland
was just in and as she left she said to R. Sleep in peace
& wake
in joy. And as R is repeating it he says wake in jell. Now
I’ve
settled them and I hope they’ll soon be asleep. They had such
long
naps that they weren’t very sleepy.
Now
I must look over your letter and then have my bath & get
to bed. I didn’t nap today as I was baking bread. It was very
very foggy
until about 10:30 A.M. then it cleared and the opposite shore
has
been more clear than any other day that we’ve been here on the
site.
Jno
thinks he’ll have the walls all finished by next Sat. Then if
it
doesn’t rain too much in four or five days more the roof
should be
on. I shall be so glad to see those people get into a house.
Haases
especially. They are so helpless. But I’ll not begin to tell
anything or I’ll not get to bed. Only prepare for more
disagreeable people as fellow missionaries than any others you
ever
saw. Not disagreeable but just odd or different.
Thanks
for the post cards. the one of the band is so nice. The other
is
too. Who took them? Miss Kliphart looks a little like Emma
Ott. Yes I know her brother or at least a Mr. K. from
Kansas.
Your
Sat. program would be varied some if you were spending your
Sat.
here. I’ve scarcely spent 5 min. ironing since we left Kijabe.
We
have the irons along but no stove & it’s hard to get them
heated much on a tin & then if you had a table like our
sewing
table at home to do your ironing on you’d change your mind
too. I
did do a little pressing at Hoima but not a thing here. But it
will
be nice when we can have ironed clothes again. “Trimmed hat”
another job that isn’t necessary here. as also packing winter
clothes & getting out others. Tho’ I think I’ve packed
things around enough to last for several years. Yes indeed
Hurlburt
is all extension and is in England now making up this
next
party to get out by the beginning of next year. and they will
go on
to the Niam Niam or Azande. As soon as the work is out of the
way a
little here Jno will take a tip and look for a site for the
next
station on from here - and hope very soon to have a line right
thro’
to the Azande tribe. Jno is to look over the country &
suggest
for each station & then Hurlburt will look it over when he
comes. Dr. Newberry rather wants to go on interior further
then I wish Dr.
Brunemeier would come here. See?
You
say we are well settled in our new home but not yet. If we
hadn’t
been detained in so many ways at the Gov’t station and down at
the
Lake etc etc we would no doubt be in our home but we hope to
be by
Christmas time. You haven’t an extra 1000 you don’t know what
to
do with, have you. We want an iron roof. We will have it some
day
but for the present we will have to use grass I suppose. Now
don’t
think I mean it will take a $1000 to roof our house. I just
tho’t
that amount would be about what you’d have around in loose
change.
Suppose
by this time poor little Floyd is getting it. Well, leave
enough of
him so when you go back to school he can sprout out & grow
again
so we can see something of him when we come home again. Yes
the S.S.
Messengers came, thank you and the book of stories too. Think
I told
you in another letter.
Why
did you go to hear Lyman Abbot for. I tho’t he was quite a
critic. Perhaps I’m mistaken. Jno said I should ask you when
you are
going to see John L. Sullivan. But really you have the chance
of a
life time in getting to hear good things & we’d do it too
if we
had half a chance. Do it all you can.
I
think it’s so funny the Chron. hadn’t more in about Prof.
Sindlinger - isn’t it?
Miss
Messenger writes from Germany that she met a veteran
missionary who &
his family were prisoners of the Azande for four
years. We
had always tho’t no one had been there yet.
It’s
true we can’t tell what work has been done and so can’t say
when
our Lord will return. Hearing such things makes me feel like
spurring on to greater efforts to reach these people & as
many
more as possible. Sometimes I think if it wasn’t for the
children
we could easily just live in a tent and get around among the
people. Reach the biggest number possible. But God has given
us these
children as well as our work and they must be looked after
first. But now I must stop. It’s gotten quite windy so it will
be rather
breezy for a bath but will hustle & then get to bed &
get
warm. Jno is playing the little organ. but these damp days
seem to
tell on it. The keys stick.
With
all kinds of sisterly and auntly love
Florence
& family.
You
don’t need to send this home as I wrote them in last mail.
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