Rumuruti, Laikipia. B.E.A. 4-20-08
[Florence’s birthday]
My own Motherdy:
Do you see the date? Did you think 27 years
ago today that you’d be getting a letter from that then little
new piece of humanity now living in Africa? I don’t
suppose so. Neither did I.
It’s just a while before dinner and I’m
feeling rather knocked out today so I’m writing to you.
O dear, the nearer July comes the more I
wish if only you were here. Don’t know what we could have
eaten yesterday but some thing has sort o’ upset us both. I am
so weak and ambitionless, and J. too says he feels more like
sleeping than working.
3 P.M.
Got no further before dinner. Mulungits
mother came and I had to talk with her awhile. Now we’ve
finished dinner and had a nap and I’ve sprinkled the clothes
for ironing tomorrow. It has suddenly turned much cooler and
is rainy. I hope it will keep it up.
Let me tell you what we had for dinner.
Sat. morning the Goenese clerk at the station sent word down
that a bullock would be killed and sold at 10 lbs. for a
rupee. I most had a fit - we’re so glad to get beef. We got 20
lbs. the girls 10. So today I made a roast and had dressing
with it. Lettuce fixed in the “good old fashioned way” - had
no potatoes nor any other vegetable for I knew we had more of
what we had than we could eat. You see I hadn’t opened that
pail of dried berries before but Sat. I got at them for I had
planned a shortcake for dinner today. I had no idea there’d be
meat. but since I had set my heart on it I would have it. and
say you can’t imagine how good it tasted. The berries are so
splendid. I heated the rest and put them into a glass jar
& sealed them. They will only be used on very special
occasions. We have enough shortcake left for supper. I used a
little of the mukombe flour with the white for the cake part.
J. likes it so well he wants me to make everything of mukombe.
It makes things short and gives them very little different
flavor. Much like corn meal only nicer I think. We have
enjoyed all the dried fruit so much. I mean all we’ve eaten.
We’ll soon have ripe tomatoes again. Have been so hungry for
something tart. My this rain is nice. It’s raining hard just
now. the iron roof makes such a noise. J. was going to the
station today to see Mr. Partington about allowing us to put
up a school building near the station. People will not
let the children come here and after all it’s not that we want
them here but rather that they be taught no matter where they
are. So we have planned to put up a building, if allowed,
somewhere near the station so all the youngsters from both
sides of the river can come and have most of the work done
there. Mulungit and Thöebe will do their work up here in J’s
study and I’ll teach them.
It’s just pouring down now. J. is making a
medicine cupboard to put up over there in his room. He worked
at the wall this A.M. and thinks he can finish it in the
morning. I want to put things we aren’t apt to use for some
time into our two steamer trunks and put them into the attic.
We have the ceiling cloth up in the sitting room and feel
pretty well settled in there. Now he wants to lay poles across
the poles that are there and then we can put up trunks and
boxes. The rats are getting in to here and there’s no way of
keeping them out until we get board floors and plastered
walls, so we want to put most things up where they can’t get
at them.
Lora sent me a linen waist or belted
dressing sacque for a birthday present so as it came some days
ago I kept it to wear first time today. I can’t hook the belt
as it ought to (guess I ate too much dinner) have the thin
white apron on. It’s soiled some but not enough to wash so
tho’t I’d wear it some. May give it to some one after it’s
laundered once. I’ve been wanting to give Mrs. Riebe some
thing worth while for all the time J. was at Kijabe with that
sore foot he staid there and they would not take any thing for
it. I may just send her this apron. She has such pretty things
- clothes and furniture and all - that I think this will match
very well, and she’ll appreciate it.
We had planned for our months vacation to
go together to Uganda and lately I had a letter from her
saying we’d postpone our trip now for they couldn’t get away
and she tho’t we’d find that a little one came far ahead of
any sort of pleasure trip. I think their greatest
disappointment is that they have no children. They are both
very fond of them. She said she always wanted 6. She had a
serious operation some time before she came out and altho’ she
stays very well she isn’t very strong especially when
it comes to walking. Every one likes her tho’ so much. They
had very nice furniture in America and bro’t most of it along
out - suppose in that line they are better equipped than any
others of our missionaries. They do most of the entertaining
too and will do still more when they get into their big house.
or rather permanent house. I think Hurlburts are quite
by themselves now. Mrs. seems very strong again. Mr. H. is up
country with the 4 young men starting stations. We expect him
to call here on his way back, but scarcely think he’ll stop
longer than for P.M. tea or so. He can’t manage to stay very
long at least he never has yet. Alta has been quite sick but
was better the last we heard. I sent her the Easter ribbon
book mark you sent me. I like such little things to put into
letters.
Did I tell you what else Lora sent me? A
kerchief and a white silk crocheted collar and a hemstitched
tie - and lately in a package of Heralds she sent a
hemstitched tray cloth and a pair of white stockings. I told
her if she didn’t stop soon she’d not only keep me clothed but
furnish the house for in one mail came two picture frames.
You are all altogether too kind. I feel as
tho we are such ungrateful and you must think, unappreciative
creatures but it’s so hard to get things here - except pieces
of rhino hide etc. I had something all planned for your
birthday but I don’t suppose you’ll get it before next year
now. I’m expecting patterns from Alice every mail and then I
must write Mrs. Hurlburt who will get what things I need, then
there’ll be sewing to look after besides the mending and other
things that need doing constantly. There are still many
letters that need answering and it seems the evenings go so
fast that I can’t get anything like caught up and school work
needs some time. I really ought to be copying some Bible
verses this P.M. but I said it’s my birthday I’ll do as I
please. I hear a rat at one of the boxes. Mean old thing.
‘Twill be nice to get some of these boxes cleared out of here.
The enclosed note from the Indian shop
keeper to J. is for Cora. He was educated at a Catholic school
hence the “father & child” business. The last clause
“hoping to be excused me etc” is put into every note no matter
who has had “the trouble”. I intended putting it into her
letter but “forgot me”.
There are two of your letters here that
I’ve not yet answered - never the less I’m hoping for another
any mail.
This is a dandy tablet. So thin yet can
write on both sides. Its one you sent. “Olde Tyme” Writing
Tablet. Think perhaps it’s one of Cora’s bargains.
Am so glad you got to Freeport for Al’s
graduation. Did you go on to Monroe? I wrote them just a few
days ago.
If post officials seal envelopes it’s
always stamped so - I most always put strips on if there’s
considerable in. Wonder what you can do about the paper &
envelopes I sent for for J’s birthday. Lo had something for
him in with my waist. I just read “for J’s birthday” so I put
it away until then.
The long white envelope came thro’ very
well - worn some but not open any place. The last cream
envelope with the “Eternal” revenue stamps was quite torn and
had it not been for the stamps would have been all open. but
it had lots in it. It contained papas note. How did he do it.
My! ‘twas good. Tell him to try it again. I’ve printed two
good pictures of that good plate I have of the house one for
Aunt Annie and one for Libbie Schaefer. Want to write to both
of them very soon.
Hope the Mystic social was a success.
Nothing of the bill-of-fare tempts me but oysters and ice
cream. xxx After supper - J. has gone over to have class so
I’ll continue talking. We had a nice walk after supper. ‘Twas
so nice and cool and some how I feel much better. It seems as
tho’ the sun does just wither me. And for qite a while it’s
been so warm that when I’d awaken from a snooze after dinner
my hands & neck would be wet with prespiration.
Who is Mrs. Alfred Swanson. and what is she
like and where from. I never knew he was married. What is Mrs.
Geo. Schmitt like?
How I laughed when I read “We have Stacys
old Gyp for Florence for this winter”. ‘Course I knew
you meant “Cora”.
Wonder how many eggs you colored on Sat. I
had 6 on hand but couldn’t afford to waste any with coloring.
For breakfast yesterday morning I “coddled” four. That’s
Lora’s way of fixing them and they are so good. They
get “butter weich” as she says Mother Butzbach calls it.
There’s a big rat in the dining room. Wonder if he’ll get at
the bread & butter I put into the trap. I wanted some
butter very much for the short cake but had none only about ¾
quart of sour milk that had cream on it which I beat until it
was butter. About a table spn of butter milk that was very
very thick & creamy. But I didn’t finish about yesterday.
Had you a boquet of flowers at church? I went to the garden
early this morning to get lettuce and flowers and have a
boquet of 8 nice La France roses in Bec’s pretty vase here on
the table. They do look so pretty. Two other rose boquets of
mixed colors and sent the girls a red geranium one. If it
begins to rain now we ought to have quite a lot of flowers.
The garden heliotrope spreads but hasn’t bloomed. The
perennial sweet peas are growing slowly too and O the horse
radish. We tho’t we had lost it all because the kikuyu dut it
up (all) but they didn’t get all the roots. It’s doing very
well. Next time it’s dormant I shall give Mrs. H. some.
It’s sprinkling again a little - and very
very dark.
The boys chased up a lion or rather a
lioness down in the bush just below the hill this P.M. None of
us saw it nor did all of them but some did and all were very
excited about it. Wish J. could have shot it. Don’t like such
animals around here and they seem to be pretty bold when they
come out in broad day light. We dare shoot lions and leopards
any time and any where.
Wonder if the deaconesses enjoyed unpacking
their box as much as we did ours. I doubt it. How often we
speak of how handy so much of the stuff comes. J. can’t talk
enough about his razor - and the scissors are so handy. I want
to write to Hubert a little note some time - also to Ada. My!
I wish the days were a week long only by the time it gets near
9 I am ready for bed so I suppose I ought to be satisfied with
the length of the days. Here comes J. already. I was surprised
to hear of Jake Ringels second daughter. Hope Mari is alright
and strong by this time.
We don’t know just where the stations over
Baringo way will be. We have heard that they left Ravine and
went 4 days trip and are among hills on the other side of Lake
Baringo - about 5 days from here. Mr. & Mrs. Waechter go
to help Johnstons at Machakos. Mr. Wight goes onto Rhoads old
station & Miss Cook will go too about Conference time. A
week from tomorrow Mr. Hassler & Miss Pierce will be
married. Miss Schonheit marries Mr. Raynor.
Miss Collins goes to help Haighs on their
station. The Oyers go to Sywulkas station and the S’s go to a
new station up country. Miss Doering & Miss Messenger are
there now. Miss Stumpf or whatever it is is helping Mr. Riebe
in the office. Mrs. & Miss Myers have charge of the white
girls & school work. Many settlers as well as others are
sending their children to Kijabe to be taught. Miss Frazer is
to help at Knapps I believe. Hasslers will live in the Drs.
house while he is home. Miss Frazer had Mrs. Atwoods case. and
a little girl arrived the last of Mar. They have two girls
now. We’ve been told both Mrs. McKenrick and Mrs. Downing are
expecting visitors inside of the next 5 months. Mrs. McK. is
so poorly. The last we heard they were talking seriously of
returning home. I hope it wont be necessary.
You people are good agents - and we
may be sending to you for some things. Especially after
“little Johnny” gets here.
No the white ants don’t change in size but
I wanted to get some large ones so you could tell how large
they get. None of the large ones are found in the runs but in
the hills very very large ones are found.
I want to write Jessie pretty soon. O dear
when will I ever get around. Have I told you what a nice
letter I got from Grandpa? I was tickled all over. I know what
an effort it takes so appreciate it accordingly.
Why did Mr. Burkhart take his life? Poor
health, insane or financial troubles? Nellie Berge & her
father went quite close together, not?
Had a nice letter from Sarah Ott lately
too. She’d like me to write to Katie Ott –. Think I shall some
day.
Has Mrs. Chas. Globes returned yet? Harvey
wrote us about it. Wasn’t it funny. J. said he should have
come out here then she couldn’t run away.
If Susie Ott Sommers did come home early
because of what you think she’d have better kept her advice to
me for herself. I wouldn’t be very much surprised.
Yes I was at Andrew Hertzels just for a
call, with Kate. They have a beautiful home. He was such a
straight soldierly looking man but so kind & she such a
nice woman. I’ve again planted the Asp. Sprengeri seed you
sent but it hasn’t come yet. I’ll let it go for another 6 mos.
if that will bring it. There are quite a lot of those vines
that J. wrote of but we don’t like them around here for they
are so thorny. We got the celluloid napkin rings in last years
box but the white one is almost in two. Eddie Harrison stept
on it when they were with us. The deed box key never got here.
Have I told you that Mr D. did get a wagon and you may
know it’s used too. We are always planning to keep either oxen
or donkeys & have all porterage done in that way. for it
is getting to be such a nuisance to get men to go for things.
We have 4 at Nakuru now bringing groceries. They always make a
fuss & lately we must always give them food.
I see by the last Messenger Ohio is dry.
Things seem to be moving right along. Wasn’t that on the Young
peoples page, I think, good about 100 boys wanted as
customers.
I didnt know that Fred Semmelroth was a
married man. Always tho’t him a bachelor.
We don’t go out to the kraals on Sun. any
more but all week.
Was just wondering how many more [pages] I
dare write - and weighed - it isn’t weight yet so guess I can
have another one or two.
J. thinks he can finish putting up the wall
tomorrow. then the walls will be done. There’s months of work
still to be done but if we start school at the fort or out
some place he will take charge of that. The kraals we were
going to on Sun. have both moved away. There are 3 or 4 near
here that the girls visit. Go out every P.M. but Wed. I really
don’t do very much with the actual school work but preparing
things takes a while. Have the Bible memory work every morning
before chapel services. These are pretty well attended for
Miss Nicher does her doctoring so as to get thro’ by chapel
time then sends them all down. We have quite an important case
here now. A warrior and very good friend of Massagondi. His
knee is swelled and bent so he can’t walk. Was bro’t here on a
stretcher. Has had trouble for 4 years. If we can cure him
Mulungit says we’ll be talked of all over the Reserve. He is
very wealthy too. If it would arouse interest in the work here
I’m sure we’d be very glad. We think ‘twould be sort o’ a good
thing for us too as Massagondi has never been very friendly
since M. came to us. The man stays right here - is down at the
boys kraal.
Did I never write about our corn? Yes we
raise very little sweet corn, mostly field corn. Sweet corn
comes so poorly. We planted this you sent in the box and it
scarcely shows. Popcorn does better than sweet corn. Our last
planting of red popcorn is coming splendid. We hope to have
some for Christmas. I think it takes about the same length of
time to grow & ripen that it does at home. Comes up in
from 3 to 5 days ususlly then if it rains or it’s watered it
usually grows like at home. The natives are very fond of green
corn roasted on the coals. Each of the boys has a good lot
planted in their gardens & with the irrigating ditch our
gardens grow even if it doesn’t rain. The grinder grinds
splendid and we wouldn’t be surprised if the boys would want
corn ground for themselves. We are trying to get some wheat.
J. wants to try grinding flour.
J. is sighing so he’ll likely be asking
about bed time soon. He’s playing now. was studying Masai for
awhile.
Yes things do go somewhat quicker in
America than here. That was a “hurry up” answer to the flowers
sent Bessie.
I only knew of that Warren
Reynolds. What a scoundrel.
You have more rackets and blowouts than
when the house was full of young people. I want too to write
Goodmans. How surprised I was to hear of his change - am so
glad. I owe her an answer to a Post Card of the house &
they which she sent me. Yes, I knew Lewis Arnetts. Papa,
Schutte, Ida Hoffman & I stopt ther one time when we went
to Portland church.
J. just said - “are you ready for bed?” and
said I should finish then we’d go. After dinner we read Quo
Vadis, after supper or rather at bedtime Pickwick Papers.
But I shall stop with this. See what
tomorrows mail brings. We are both very well. J. gets very
tired & hands get sore working at stones but that will
soon be finished. Goodnight with lots of love.
Ever Florence.
P.S. Tues eve.
There’s still a little room so I’ll add a
little more. The enclosed sample is the goods George &
Sopha S. sent for me a dress & I made it at once. Shirred
yoke and cuffs and 2 shirrs instead of belt on skirt so I can
let it out when necessary. A very comfortable and neat dress.
I always, since out here, wanted a black & white check.
and this is so light & soft & nice.
In a letter from Mr. Hurlburt today he says
better get Miss Gamertsfelder - so I’m writing her tonight. if
only she’ll come I’ll be O so glad. Did I mention - in
Cora’s that Dr. Blackburn from the Friends Mission at the Lake
will come. Mr. H. considers him the best all around Dr. in the
country. Word today from Kijabe Haighs have an 8 lb boy. All
seemed to be doing alright as both the Dr. & Miss G. left.
She has been in pretty bad shape most of the time however.
Sometimes acted really queer. Mr. worried much. Am glad all
has gone so well.
J. saw the Gov’t man today and finds him
very much in favor of school work and asked us to start &
he’d help. but one thing they differed on. The Gov’t man wants
Swahili taught and we want to teach English. We’ll come to
some agreement however, I think.
Mulungits watch seems to go alright now.
For awhile I had to wind it night & morning but the spring
must have been caught or something for it runs right along
now.
Wrote Clayton Fehr a post card today. Took
his address from his card - just Deerfield, Ill.
Got a nice large check today - Cora Ott’s
$25 and a Miss Smith $20 for Mulungit besides our own $35. We
have some times been running pretty close because it came
late.
Must write Miss Gam. now. F.M.S.
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