Narok,
Masai Reserve, Kenya Colony;
Africa;
July 2, 1921
Dear
Home Folks:
I’ve
got a good inspiration tonight, altho it is Sat. two letters
from
Cora and one from Lora and the roll of papers and type paper,
and
last night the parcel from you Mamma, and a letter from Chas,
so I
guess with all the other letters that haven’t been answered I
can
settle myself for a few hours work, or fun just as you like
it.
First
I must tell you of the surroundings. I am a widow, the first
time in
a long time that John has gone from home without me, but it
seemed
very necessary for him to take that trip to Ngong, our
fartherest out
school and as Dr. and Mrs. Davis are here he thot he better
take the
children back to school and take that trip at this time -
expecting
to get back in two weeks, Drs. stay til the end of July. Now a
boy
came from Kijabe yesterday and said he saw the whole party at
Quarantine - that is a day from Kijabe and that John was sick
and
instead of going straight to Ngong as he had intended to he
was going
to Kijabe and if not better wouldn’t go to Ngong. I am a
little
worried as the boy said he (John) had dizzy spells as he went
along
the path - he hadn’t been troubled that way for a long time
and I
am awful sorry to find them coming back. They had the mules
along so
he could ride whenever he wanted to. Mr. Herdman was with them
too,
and our two and Billy Rainbow and Linnell Davis, so they were
a jolly
crowd. John hadn’t said a word but he didn’t act just right
the
last day and I do hope it wont be anything serious nor last
long.
I’ve
missed them all ever so much but with Davises here it isn’t so
lonely as tho I were alone. Philip is about 4 and a half and
keeps
things lively asking questions.
A
week ago today we came home from a weeks camp down on the
Narok
river. We did have a jolly time. Dr. had a license for
shooting and
we got a wildebeaste and two Thompsons gazelle. The
wildebeaste was
old and had fine horns and skin but the meat was not good too
tough. The Tommys were grand eating. We also had some
guineafowl and other
birds. Some afternoons we read aloud - that is the men did
while we
women knitted and crocheted. I finished knitting the foot into
John’s sock so now he has almost a new pair. We read the
second
volume of Hudson Taylor’s Life or the growth of a work of God.
So
very interesting especially as our work or rather our mission
is
along the very same lines. Should think it would be very
interesting
to you people to know how and when and by whom the different
provinces were opened.
Before
I go further I want to ask you Chinesers what you think of the
change
in color of your letter paper - thanks to Lora. I think it is
an
improvement on the orange. And here I go off on what we are
doing
and forgetting to say many thanks to you all for all you have
sent. Your paper Lora, caused a laugh all around. This morning
Dr. was
saying something about his paper giving out and I at once said
why I
have some if it will do, and got some thin and some thick and
some
envelopes for I do like to see people get letters answered
even tho I
don’t, and then he said “I am keeping track of all of this and
will pay you”. I said nothing of the sort would he do for I
wanted
to see my paper get used and I didn’t seem to get at using it
so
was glad if some one else did and here this P.M. your big roll
came
just as tho God had heard the conversation and had wanted a
share in
getting letters off too. Now I have told them they could use
and not
feel they were robbing me because I didn’t pay anything for
it. They are getting a lot of circular letters written
concerning a
medical supply station which Conference voted he should have
at
Kijabe and they want to know what people need most on their
stations. And now I’ve been sitting here jabbering about a
grocery order and
what I want her to send for for me. She is making out an order
for
Mortons in England.
It
is nearing ten oclock now and I am going to bed and try to get
some
more written in the morning or tomorrow sometime.
This
is Mon. Eve. July Fourth: and to celebrate we have had a bon
fire. We hope you have all enjoyed yourselves today - I wonder
how many
celebrated. Cora a notice and a check have just come in this
evenings mail and now it is up to me to make you understand
how
grateful we all are. We all will be, perhaps I better say as
John
wont know about it til he gets my letter a few days from now
but we
are truly thankful and of course since it has come out here we
will
use it in some way here tho I had thot before it would go to
mama as
I had told them in the Home Office to send all transmission
money to
mamma, but they have so many orders from every one that it is
no
wonder that they get things mixed up somewhat. You know we are
rather thinking of getting another mule and cart which is for
sale
rather cheap and it may just be when John sees your gift in
the check
that he will think wise to seal the bargain by paying
something down. I’ll report later on just what has become of
it.
Now
mamma, as to your last parcel: petticoats and table cover.
Waou!!!
how very fine we will be now. I haven’t put it on yet as it
needed
pressing. I wonder if it has ever been washed for if it hasn’t
and
can’t be I am afraid I better put it away at least until
little
boys get away, for the table is in such a handy place to just
put
everything onto it. Well I do say many thanks but you people
are the
limit for you send a gift that gets here on the day and then
seem to
forget and send another on the day and it gets here about in
time for
John’s. So we are twice blessed. I considered that aluminum
outfit my birthday present as well as wedding and wasn’t
thinking
of anything else and so it was a real surprise.
The
petticoats are fine and I do thank you for them also for the
seeds. Did I tell you that other packet of flower seeds came
too a short
time ago and was on the boat that caught fire and more mail
was lost
from the salt water that was put on than by the fire. Fathers
and
mothers big picture came in that mail and the lower left hand
corner
is all white up to Mothers lap but the rest is alright and
isn’t it
a fine picture, we are so very glad for it. I will try to let
you
know how things grow. I have sowed some of the Iris and
gladiolus
seeds and will do many more of the others when John gets back
again
and we get into the garden.
With
this letter mama I do want to send you a list of a few things
we want
from Wards. And Cora if you don’t bother mama any more for
orders
she wont get rusty for I have so many wants when I look thro
the Cat.
that she wont get out of practice, especially as long as there
is
some “spondulicks” to get with or if Wards should all at once
sell “for free” as Harry used to say. Just here Cora do you
know
that Harrys have a baby boy? Some family.
Next
I want to say heaps thanks to you Cora for the bunch of
pictures. Your babies are certainly sweet and when I saw the
picture of Lora
and them, I could have cried for I wanted to hug them too - or
somebody and I didn’t have even a husband to hug say nothing
of the
children. Well I am so glad Lora was with you a while and now
you
are together all the time and Lora will be enjoying those
precious
kiddies - well Lora just enjoy them for us all. I am so glad
for the
pictures of them. “Every dog has his day” don’t you know and I
suppose I had mine about ten or twelve years ago; yes and
pretty much
ever since.
But
I must get at answering all yor numerous letters stacked up
here and
if I do it all night I may get finished - but don’t fret I
won’t
deny myself the pleasure of sleep even tho it means a pretty
good
visit with you all.
(pg.
2) Cora in some letter lately you asked how many phono records
we
have; I don’t really know but I’ll go and see just to satisfy
myself as well as you. There’s one we all like very much and
that
is “Whispering Hope” duet by Olive Kline and Elsie Baker. We
have 35 plates, some have on both sides and some only one so I
don’t
know the exact number of pieces the most are on both sides and
most
are 12 inch.
You
say bulbs do well there, Cora, Easter lily grows like a weed
here and
you bet I like the weed. When the first flower opened I cut
the long
stem and put in vase (or rather bottle - I have no vases) and
a few
Iris or other leaves and the buds keep opening for a week or
two and
are so sweet yet not too heavy.
You
are right, Cora. I too like to get at things before breakfast
and I
think we can get more done and easier when we get to it in the
morning, especially in this climate. And for me if I don’t get
some time in for Bible and prayer before breakfast it is
pretty hard
to find time during the day. I do hope Kuling does all for you
that
you are expecting it to. - - Joy! it is raining, at least
sprinkling, and may so better tomorrow night. Your last Cora
written
May 3 is here and will be kept on hand til John gets back. I
think
you get more old people Christians than we do. It has been the
burden of many hearts especially the last year to get old
people
interested, we have so very few. You say I write long letters
but
purely it would be more economical in time and postage if I
would
write oftener and shorter. Each time I think I surely will do
better
and then before I know it the letters are piled up and it is a
month
or more since I wrote. There are two pictures that I have had
before
and since you don’t care to have me return them I will share
with
either Mrs. Hurlburt or Mrs. Downing, they were both always
very
interested.
Don’t
you worry we are not leaving yet for awhile. No, Mr. Hurlburt
appointed Carl Hurlburt the Deputy for east Congo and John is
only
for Kenya Colony.
Lora,
your letter of April 1 and the enclosures from Aunt Lorene
came some
time ago and the more recent one dated April 18 came a day or
two ago
together with the parcel of papers. Aunt Lorene must have done
some
thinking to have carried her spelling scheme all thro that
letter. It was very well done. I had a nice letter from her
just lately but
when it will get answered I don’t know yet. If you have the
chance
tell her mama that I got her letter and in the same mail came
her
card to John with which he was very pleased. Also tell Aunt
Anna
that the parcel of papers came just before the children left
so they
got to see them.
You
must have gotten your five year diary when I did for I too am
at the
last year. All the time my hand was bad I couldn’t write in it
and
now I will have to write up sort of journal style during these
weeks. My finger is almost its natural size again but is still
bent and
stiff altho it is getting a little move in it and I hope it
will
eventually limber up but it still is very tender and painful.
My
light is going out so I better stop only I can’t very well til
I
finish the paper for Dr. D- always uses the machine in the
morning.
As
you mention these Chinese towns many of them are familiar from
reading Taylors life. He and his first wife and two or three
children are buried at Chinkiang, if I remember rightly.
Your
experience with your pillow covers will be duplicated here
very
shortly for the old covers on mine are just in tatters and I
have
been wanting to get some Americani for making new ones and I
will get
at it one of these days - if John brings the cloth.
It
was sort of restful to get a letter from you that wasn’t
written on
that move - you did have a time of going. About 5 months or
more
since you packed up. Long enuf -
Good
night.
All
right here we are again, Wednesday evening the sixth. A letter
in
todays mail from Mr. Herdman said John had gone on to Ngong
and that
Mr. Mount went with him. Mr. And Mrs. Mount were at Kijabe for
Conference; they are on their way home. Their station is in
West
Nile Province, Uganda. They were of the City Athens people -
the
boat that went down. They have had a lot of fever too. It was
not
yet decided as to whether Woodleys would come over or not, but
looked
that way. I hope they do for they need to get away badly.
By
the slips that came the other day from the Home Office I see
Mr. Epp
has sent 60 dollars for our work - I want to write a letter of
appreciation. Then there are at least ten other letters of
that
style I ought to write so I think I will make several copies
at once
and get a few answered that way. Dr. Davis does many of his
letters
that way and it does save time.
Say,
Cora that little thing about the scientist and the Protoplasm
was
awful good and do you know who I am going to send it to? Mr.
Hurlburt. He appreciates good jokes.
Lora,
I’ll enclose these verses and you can put into the beginning
of
your diary - I always like an appropriate verse for the new
year and
I have this in mine so I hardly want it again.
Those
samples of dresses and styles look just like you, Cora. I
think they
must be very pretty and a real joy. I only hope you will get
as much
good out of them as I do of mine. Cora I will enclose for your
perusal these questions on prayer. They are very searching.
Now
Charley here goes to you for your letter of April 17 came in
the last
mail. Well we do hear from you once in a while, but from
Warren!!! He is worse than the woodchuck that we don’t see all
winter - or do
we. I daren’t say anything about Alice for her big letter lies
here, all unanswered. We were glad to hear from you and for
the
picture of Mavis too. I thot by this time I would have a lot
of
pictures to show all you people but I will enclose one of the
house
and a school group - one for mama, and one for Chas and Warren
if
there is room.
I
am so glad you included Mrs. Hurlburt in your round of letters
but
you will probably feel like writing again when you hear of
Alta’s
death. Your story Charley about mild winter and then frost
came in
every letter from home - from every corner where there are
frosts. I
am glad we are not at home this year for I want plenty of
fruit -
apples etc when we are there.
Before
this time you will know that we have given you the power of
attorney
for me but I don’t think you would want to trouble with the
Stauffacher business as there isn’t apt to be anything in a
hurry -
I mean that what business they have will likely be estate
business if
any and that is not in any hurry, usually. Thanks for the
promise of
renewal of papers. I am getting a bunch ready to mail next
mailday. Ours did have a regular round but some have left so I
think they just
go to one now but I often cut off the covers for some are so
pretty
for the childrens walls, at least I mean the walls of their
rooms. Thanks Bess for your addition. I can sympathize with
Mavis with her
stiff finger. Mine wont function right yet and kicks up the
worst
just when I need it most. I can’t quite bend it enough to put
a
thimble on it so I have to put it on my third and then you may
know
how handy that is. I hope you have better luck with your
chickens
than we did. You don’t have civet cats but there are other
chicken
enemies. That is a cunning picture of Mavis.
Wont
the uniting of the churches put a good many preachers out of
work? Am so glad Grandpa stays so well. Yes this is Africa but
I have to
keep up the fire tonight for last night I went to bed with
cold feet
and it was near midnight before I got to sleep - too cold.
-
- - ((( The kitty likes to sleep on the childrens bed and the
last
Sunday they were here she even crept down under the blankets
really
after they were asleep and about 1 A.M. Claudon called me for
the
kitty had two little ones. I had warned them but they didn’t
know
she had crawled in.))) There are 3 now - 2 gray wild looking
ones &
one mostly white like herself.
(pg.
3) I have put the little TREE poem into Coras letter so it
will soon
be back to you again. How can land be worth $450 an acre! That
seems outlandish. And then the next clipping says $615 an
acre,
alright they are welcome.
Thanks
for the trailing arbutus it must have been very pretty for it
is
still fragrant. Thanks too for the pictures. The one of
Huldahs
veranda looks homelike. The Minch group at the reunion I think
I
have one of and shall I return it? The clipping about all that
blow
up for Reeda Howlette makes me expect to see another arriving
soon
telling of their divorce!!! O shucks such nonsense! How far
people
are departing from the ways they were created for. Your cloth
samples all look interesting but what is that peculiar gray
material? Looks like it might be a bath robe. The yellow
flowers are curtains
and the scrim look like my curtains.
What
a good scheme for pictures that need to be looked at and
passed
around. Well when I see and read about what all you do I think
I
must be having a mighty fine time of it. I think We were of
the
crowd that pulled the catalpa tree down or else the chestnut I
dont
remember which. I only remember the rope. How soon we get past
the
Cradle roll. I just have to look twice at the children
sometimes
they are getting so big. Claudon still likes to come and put
his
cheek against mine when he wants some favor but when I’m
sitting
down he most has to get on his knees to be level with me. I
want to
send for a pair of shoes for Raymond and I’ll declare they
have to
be most as big as John’s. I don’t think 8 is going to be too
big
for him. Mamma I do want much to try some bulbs in the fall.
Especially fresia and tulips. What a find of gas that was!
What is
gas worth now? Tell Floyd many thanks for his letter to the
boys. Raymond is always eager to write on this machine and I
would let him
now as he is big enough only he was busy with other things.
Floyd
does very well. This ribbon is about done for I think and will
try
another.
What
a family all at once 20 little pigs. That is almost a record
breaker
isn’t it? Mr. Aggett told John he was bringing us two little
pigs
and I am quite pleased about it only they haven’t come yet. We
will leave them at Mr. Clarkes til we get a place for them.
Your
letter did get here before the parcel but not very much. As I
look
at the scarf I see it can be washed by taking off the pretties
and
that isn’t hard either but I wont use it just yet.
Just
went to get another ribbon and find they have all been used
but I
have some Hammond that will do I think but I will let Dr. have
the
fun of putting it onto the spool in the morning.
I
must try your pie recipe. I always thot we tried to keep it
cold as
possible.
This
paper is most too thin to write on both sides. Makes it too
hard to
read. I’ll put my “wants” on an extra slip.
[Here
a piece has been cut from the corner of the page.] … it on the
little slip.
I’m
writing this with John’s pen one of the three you sent. I like
my
own better but Jno took it without thinking that this was his.
Barnetts are so pleased with theirs.
What
a pretty waist & trimming Chas’s Xmas gift is. It is a
satisfaction to have a neat pretty dress. Tell Floyd thanks
for his
letter. 42 chickens picked. What did you do with the feathers?
I
notice some feathers coming out of my pillow - I think it must
be
ripped some where.
(pg.
4) [Something seems to be missing.] we have been waiting for
this
long time. That was why they were still living in a tent for
there
was no permission for building. The land office is so slow in
granting land or even in answering. John is going to the Boma
soon
and see if he can find out anything about what has been done
or is
going to be done.
Just
happened to look down at my waist and thot I must tell you
what it
is. I guess Cora is the one to whom thanks are due this time.
It is
a wool, white and has a sort of a scrolly vine embroidered on
the
front in silk. It is a pretty thing and very comfy just now as
we
are having our coldest weather and it can get cold even under
the
equator. I think I must say goodnight. Am tired.
Sunday
night. I don’t usually like to run the typewriter on Sun. but
I
know John will want it tomorrow night so I better run this
sheet
thro.
I
really have three bunches of letters here that haven’t been
properly answered. I just don’t know what ails this machine
but it
got terribly banged up coming back from Kijabe and sticks and
acts
funny. Cora I must tell you the boys got their long ! letter
alright
and baby’s profile as well as the snap and they were fairly
well
satisfied with their new cousin. We too recognized the dad
from the
profile. You say in your last, which by the way, was the
pictorial
edition and enjoyed very much. You say you wish we had some to
send
you, haven’t I sent you those of the boys at Conference time?
I
must see how many I have left and put one in if you have none
for
they are pretty good.
Guess
I must take mama’s first. My how quickly they accumulate. I
see
one post marked Dec. 23, you’ll hardly get the answer by next
year. In this you tell of Mrs. Felhman’s trouble I suppose she
is
alright again as you have said nothing about her being worse.
I had
a nice letter from Cora Beth and was so pleased but just
haven’t
had time to answer it. If I don’t get caught up by next
vacation
October, I am going to take the whole month and write, just
like
anything. A Xmas gift from Grandma Steele I used for stamps
and so I
think I will have enough to send a few letters at any rate,
and it
does feel good to have them on hand.
I
want to enclose a few pictures for you too that I don’t think
I
have sent. And Alices big letter for my birthday is here and
not
answered yet and such a tempting offer and I fear if I don’t
answer
it soon she will forget what she wrote but never you mind you
will
hear some of these days and then I’ll tell you what I think of
you. Next comes Jan. 3 and that tatting bound kerchief, and I
wonder if I
ever thanked you. Well here it is now, And be sure it will be
used. It also enclosed a sample of blue yarn but I can’t tell
what it is
from but I should think it a very profitable “find” and dare
any
that when it was bot you little dreamed of the price it would
be some
day. You tell of Joe Minches son in law dying, I didn’t either
know that he had one but doesn’t it make one feel old. I never
can
quite get over the disappointment in not seeing the Minch
relationship while we were home, and then spent a whole year
waiting
to come. Yes indeed we do get the Literary Digest and enjoy it
too. You tell of some fruit that the Eastern cousins had. I’ll
bet
we’ll see the time when we could supply the relationship with
figs
and other things for it seems as tho the soil is very well
adapted to
fruit. We brot some grapevines from Mrs. Downings and they are
both
growing and so are the cuttings we put in and we thot they
might have
died so brot more. This year Downings had a lot of wonderfully
large
bunches and well formed fruit. The first year it developed
properly. None of the seeds you have sent have grown so we
have only the one
purple variety. I’ll try to remember and put in the picture
Miss
Simpson gave me of papa and ducks. You sent a piece of the
pink
gingham dress that Alice gave me and asked if I have it yet
and I
have it on now but it is rather summery for this cold evening
but
when we came back from kraals today I was so hot and felt like
putting on something to make one feel Sunday-like. Thanks for
the
“R” kerchief it belongs to him. Did I say that the “Journals”
are here and I did just what you did and the first whole
evening I
was back at Dutch Heights again and when John spoke to me it
was like
waking out of a very pleasant dream. Yes I left all the
Normals
there this time and they are glad for them. I will sow the
pimento
seed in my “hot bed”. I gave Mrs. Downing and Mrs. Hurlburt
each
a little. Now John has gone to bed and I must too and at the
rate
I’m doing business tonight you will get this letter by Xmas if
the
boat goes fast enough. More later.
(pg.
5) At it again: Wed. eve, no meeting because it is raining and
pretty hard too and just this eve John and I finished picking,
or
rather hulling the beans that have been lying on the ground in
the
garden. By the time I find out where I left off and where to
begin
again the evening is pretty well spent. I had what you might
call a
piece of luck if you wish to but I call it a direct answer to
prayer
tonight. Before we came back here - quite awhile before, a
Mrs.
Rainbow, living at Narok had written to ask us to get some
flour etc
for them - no, she telegraphed first and we went down and
ordered it
sent as we had decided to stay another month, then later a
letter
came saying she was enclosing a cheque, but it came just as I
was
busy otherwise and knowing we had sent the goods I didn’t
think
anything about the fact that the cheque was not there, and it
didnt
dawn on me again til the other day that perhaps some one had
taken
that cheque and that I should have written right away so that
they
could trace it and I felt so ashamed. I wrote her at once and
in the
meantime I didn’t worry but I did pray, for just now we are
pretty
short ourselves and I didn’t know what size it was but felt
that it
was in our place to pay at least part but today a note comes
saying
she had forgotten to put it in, and I am very thankful now
that I
didn’t worry. It never pays anyway.
Now
I must tell you that I sent over to Miss Simpson, the three
long
ostrich feathers that Mulungit found and gave to me and said
they
were for my three sisters; they are longer than can be used on
any
hat but I thot perhaps Mattie could fix them up so you could
use them
somehow. The tips are not very good. With them I sent a lot of
red
and blue feathers and some of the pretty guinea fowl ones and
she can
make something out of each. I really meant the red ones to be
for
her - I wanted to send something for their wedding but we have
nothing nice like Cora. I told Miss Simpson that if they
wanted to
make her pay a lot of customs she should dump the whole thing
overboard. I told her you might be willing to pay a dollar or
two. She doesn’t think she will have any trouble because she
doesn’t
go via South Africa, for that is where they watch out for
feathers or
diamonds. I have some letters for Warren that the boys wrote
last
term and I will get them off soon now but sending the feathers
with
Bertha. I will just write them without sending anything.
That
little slip about Musa G. entertaining the class at the Chas.
Goembel
home, was that in Geneseo and do they live there now? I forgot
if I
ever knew. Thanks for the seeds in the Feb. 25 letter. I can’t
tell where that Calendar comes from you speak of. That 1919
one or
the 1908 one that fits for this year. There are Indian (Hindu)
stores at Kijabe where we can get everything along the line of
eats -
or most everything. And they also have kahki goods and some
are
almost worth their weight in gold. There are also stores at
Narok
but in most everything they are twice and three times as high
as
Kijabe. Then at Ndulele 12 miles toward Kijabe there are
stores but
not a very big variety for Asungu, or white people, mostly
stuff for
trading with Masai.
The
Nairobi paper came tonight and John is busy reading about the
peace
terms signed up by the Germans etc. You started your letter on
the
5th anniversary of papa’s death. What a different 5
years it has been for him than if he had been here, we surely
can’t
wish him back. We hope these peace terms will last but I
wonder. You speaking of quilting makes my mouth water for I do
want to get at
these comforters and get the wool carded. I wanted to send for
carders but John thinks he can make some for me; he must try
and I
must get at it. I think I must spend my next vacation at it.
Lets
see, I was going to write letters. Well, I’ll do one thing
half a
day and the other the rest only John just said that the next
vacation
month we would go out camping among the people and preach, so
there
you are. You say you feel as young as ever, and I was telling
Mrs
Myers, she had us eat dinner with her the last Sat. we were at
Kijabe, and she said “Whew, I can’t say that. She must not be
very heavy”. Then I told her what you were like and how good
you
would be for out here and how I hoped you could come some day.
She
is such a nice old grandma, I wonder if you can pick her out
on the
Conference picture. You paid altogether too much on those
Journals
of mine. I just got cross when I saw the amount they made you
put
on. They should have come book post. Aunt Annie sent lots more
than
you did and it didn’t cost her as much as yours. You can send
books but not parcel. I think I have
[part
of page missing] … later. Well, Charlie, your ears are about
worth as much as mine - ornaments. This cold weather and
especially
the damp at Kijabe seemed to make my catarrh worse and it
seems to me
my ears are getting worse; and the joke is that John too has
some
trouble and when I get home from meeting I ask, What did so
and so
say? and he says “I don’t know, I didn’t hear”. Thanks for
your note, Chas. sort of reminded us we had a Kan. brother.
Now
yours of the 16 Mar. Mama. It contains the clipping by Editor
Bucks
in which I agree somewhat and somewhat I don’t. I like Powells
better that you sent in a later letter. Every one has a right
to his
views but I think Powell is more scriptural and Bucks more
churchy. Did I ever mention that we too have to pay more
postage here - raised
from 6 cents to 10, local postage and we were so glad that the
foreign was not changed. Ward’s are great ones for wanting to
send
that stuff postage. How silly. I just hope it will come before
it
all spoils from lying around. I told you I think that we have
notice
to inform our agent that it is likely to come any time as they
had it
on the pier. About the next order John and the boys will need
new
shoes and underwear. You tell of Lila Albright and Alice
Brants
getting married, and it seems as tho it was only yesterday
when they
were in the primary class in Sunday School. How old we are
getting. What an awful fire that must have been when Roscoes
house burned -
rather different than when some of ours go tho I guess they
could
stand it better than some of our folks can. Chas. you ask
about the
Indians I wrote that died, they are natives of India and are
all over
the country to do trading with the natives. Yes, more Indians
died
than natives. Quite a few of our people died tho I have no
idea as
to the number. Thanks for the copies of the pictures you sent
but I
think I have them tho I am not sure. There is another job for
vacation time and that is fix up my albums. I have one for the
China
pictures and one for those of ours but they are scattered and
do need
taking care of. Now it is striking nine oclock and John is
abed and
reading and waiting for me to come so I think I better ring
off. I
think I have only one more of mamas left to answer.
Sat.
night again: And the gun trap set and it went off so we rushed
down
and found that the dog had gotten loose and tried to come out
and got
shot dead. There has no leopard come around the trap yet altho
there
was one after the dogs early the other morning. We were
fishing
today and also visited three kraals and had our baths and
supper and
I took care of my two patients and sent some medicine to
Mulungit who
is about sick with a bad cold. I wish I had Edward here for
awhile
to see these two I am trying to help. Two little girls of
Mulungit’s
sister - that is they had the same father. One girl has a
breaking
out over her nose and on one temple and the back of head
something
like ringworm and I wrote a note to the dispenser and asked
what to
do for it and he sent me an Iodine mixture to paint it with
and it
does seem to be drying up. The other girl has running of the
ears
and of course I can’t tell whether it (fragment of pg. 7) is
very
serious and have nothing to do anything with but boracic
solution
that I swab out the ears with every morning and evening. There
is
puss and blood runs from them and when she first came there
was such
a strong odor that it made my stomach sick; twas awful. Then
there
is a woman here, another relative that has had much trouble
with
miscarriage and she expects me to give her medicine to correct
that. I have written to the Doctor about that. I fear if I
don’t do
something to help they will go to the witch doctor and we saw
all I
want to see of that last Sun. I don’t believe I told you. Well
I
will … [rest of page & letter missing]
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