Nasa G.E.A. June 10th
1910.
My dearest Bibi
I think I have good news for you this time
especially if getting home a month or two sooner will be good
news to you but first I must tell you what we have been doing
since I wrote last. We left here as we expected a week ago
last Tuesday for a country called Ntussu. It took us three
days to get there as it was farther than we expected. The
second day we got to a place where there was a silver mine and
we found an old German there who was very kind to us. He was
73 years old and had been here in G.E.A. 26 years. He gave us
quite a lot of provisions so our trip cost almost nothing. But
best of all he had a dandy phonograph with over two hundred
double faced records and just the kind of music I enjoy. We
got there about one o’clock and I kept the old thing going
continually until nearly midnight and then did’nt get them all
played over. We left the next day about nine o’clock and oh I
did hate to go away. We reached Ntussu that day and spent
several days after that exploring the country. We finally
decided on a place for a station and measured out the land.
The Gov. gives us 25 acres for a station. We have an excellent
location away high up on a ridge crowded with people and in
the center of a very large district. The view is almost equal
to Kijabe except not as many trees. There is a good spring on
the ground and to the back of the station some enormous high
rocks and a few large beautiful trees. The mornings were
almost as cold as Kijabe and there were very few mosquitos.
Oh how I did wish I could send for you and
Raymond and stay right there but I suppose there will be other
good places. We came back in two days. The marches were too
long but we were glad when we got back that we made them,
because Mrs Sylwulka was still in bed and worse than when we
left, but worse still Paul took sick the next day after we
left with the same trouble she has. We dont know what it is
unless it is malaria. Gribble tries to make out that it is
spinal meningitis but I dont think so as Paul is much better
and neither of them has been sick enough for that. I have been
in excellent health ever since we are here. The only trouble I
have had was a swollen ankle which I got the second day after
we left here. It was quite bad by time we got back but is
almost all gone now and I dont think it will give me any more
trouble. Thanks to Dr Lemke’s linament for its disappearance.
Well one trip is over and one station
chosen but I must confess never in my life was I so home sick
as the morning after we got back here. We got home late in the
evening and I was very tired. Mrs Sylwalka and Paul both sick
and our room is very dark and gloomy and Gribble was away so I
was alone. I tried to play the organ that only made it worse.
I thought of writing to you but I could’nt do that without a
good cry and I did’nt want red eyes. My foot was hurting so I
could hardly walk so I just sat and moped away and oh the time
seemed so long to look ahead. I am sure I would have been
tempted to come home if you had been the only one to find it
out. If you ever doubt my sincerest love for you and Raymond I
wish you could feel once as I did that morning. But maybe you
were feeling the same way and that was what made me feel so
bad. I cant help but feel some times that you are missing me
frightfully. and that only helps to make me want to come back,
but one month is nearly gone and the rest of the time wont
seem so long.
Well now for new plans. Of course finding
Mrs Sylwulka still in bed makes it necessary for the Sylwulkas
to stay here. We suggested that Gribble and I go on to the
North west and finish that trip and then come back here again.
We had about decided to do that but we find we figured on
altogether too little time to get all done and get back to
Kijabe by Christmas time and I dont want to stay away longer
than Thanksgiving Day as I promised Barnett at Gilgil that I
would get back in time to help him open the new Masai station
before Christmas.
I wrote you in the last letter that Gribble
and I would open the new stations and hold them until some one
comes. We find now that we cannot choose new locations in less
than two weeks time as it would take us until nearly
Thanksgiving time to open up the new station and build a house
and garden. This I am not ready to do as I want to begin
building our new home as soon as possible after Jan 1st.
and I want it to be somewhere in the North West. So Gribble
and I are planning to leave here Monday choose a station
between here and Mwansa and then go on to Mwansa. If the Gov.
will give us a station in Nera we will go down there and
choose a station. If not we will go from Mwansa to Entebbe and
start toward the North West. The gov. man told me that they
would not give us land unless we are ready to occupy it and he
said if the White Fathers have a man ready for Nera he would
give it to them so I am much afraid we will lose it. But we
will promise to occupy Nera inside of three months if they
will give it to us and Gribble will come back here and I will
come on to Kijabe alone. Do you see what this means. In two
weeks we will be at Mwansa. Inside of three months from then
we expect Gribble back in Nera and John of course back at
Kijabe. Oh I do hope it will be so. I have about entirely
given up the idea of going as far West of the Nile as Hurlburt
suggested. We cant get back for Christmas if we do, and I dont
see the use of such a long trip. We are sure we want to go
into that country and how much easier it will be to reach it
from a station nearer the Nile. We can go far enough to see if
the Kibali can be used for boats and that is all that is
necessary for the present. If we go only about 60 or 70 miles
West of the Nile I see no reason why I should not be back to
Kijabe by the first of Oct. or even sooner. How would that
suit you? You can be quite sure of one thing I will be back as
soon as I can yet I feel that I must do my full duty but Oh I
do want to get settled down in a home with you and Raymond. If
that other thing happens that we spoke about then I know I
cannot get back to Kijabe any too soon to be of some help to
you. Oh I do so long to see you again. It does seem sometimes
as though I just cant stand it any longer yet time is going
by. If I could only get to hear from you. The mail man goes
only every two weeks. He went soon after we got here and not
again since then so of course your letters could’nt reach me.
Almost a month and not a word and now there is not hope of
letters until we reach Mwansa, nor can I send this until that
time so I am sure you will think I have forgotten you. I am
sure you will be glad we are not going so far West of the Nile
because I can write you at least once a week after we leave
Mwansa. I suppose you wonder how we are going to be able to
make that trip without money. Sylwulka is getting porters for
us here who have promised to go at 4 Rs per month to be paid
when they get back. Ten men will be sufficient if we make the
short trip. Then we expect to get a sail boat from Allidina
Visram to take us to Entebbe so it will cost us nothing to get
the men there and will cost us only about 1/3 of what it would
cost even going second class on a steamer. We have found out
that we can do the same on Lake Albert and the Nile so the
trip will cost very little.
Oh but I will be glad when it is all over
and I am afraid it will be hard for them to get me to go off
alone again without you and Raymond along. I never thought I
could get to think so much of anyone as I do of you two and I
realize that I never half appreciated having you with me. How
could you ever think of marrying an old scalawag like me
anyhow. I can never thank you enough for accepting me when you
did and oh I do hope I may be able to repay you somewhat by
being more kind to you than I have been in the past. Of course
if we go right on now you wont be able to send us that box but
I dont think we will need it. I wonder if our freight has come
yet. If you have the phonograph set it a going once in a while
and just imagine that I am there listening to it. I wish I
could look in and see how your new room is fixed. I imagine it
is as comfortable and cozy as it can be. I’ll just bet Raymond
enjoys sleeping in your bed. I hope you will jolly him up and
play with him and give him all the fun you can. Bibi you cant
know how I miss the kid. I would give anything just to see him
once in a while. I do hope I shall never have to leave you
again. But I must close. I will finish this at Mwansa when we
know fully our plans. I want to write to your folks now and
also to My home and to Mulungit.
Letter No 2. Mwansa. My dearest Bibi. How
can I ever thank ou enough for the fine letter you have sent
me. We got here Thurs forenoon about 10 oclock and I rushed
right off the first thing for the mail. I asked if there was
anything for Stauffacher and the post master said none had
come. I felt just like breaking down right there and crying.
Then I asked if there was anything for Nassa as Sylwulkas sent
a boy along and the first thing he threw out was a big fat
blue envelope with a hand writing that I will never mistake. I
was so glad I could have shouted. Oh how I miss you. I am
afraid I shall never be able to pick up courage enough again
to go away and leave you. The other times I was away was play
compared with this one. You said in your letter that I was a
brave man. I am awfully glad you think so but if you think I
am brave because (My paper is so thick I must write on the
other side) I am making this trip you are mistaken. It does’nt
take any courage to do that but it does take almost more
courage than I possess to be separated from you and Raymond.
Of course I want you to feel proud of me but you dont know how
measley cowardly I do feel once in a while. God has so richly
blessed me and given me some very wonderful experiences yet
almost every new test gives me the blues before I can really
conquer and be victorious. The other morning when we got here
I could have sat down and cried on finding no money in the
mail. I thought we would have to go back to Nassa again and
that would only have delayed our getting back to Kijabe. We
did’nt have enough on hand to go on. Then I found we could’nt
get a sail boat from the Indian and that made it worse still.
Miss Simpson was owing me Rs. 125 and I expected to get it in
this mail but none came for her. But after thinking awhile I
remembered Sylwulka had some money deposited here which he
told me once I should use if I needed it and Mrs Sylwulka gave
me an Express Order to get cashed to be used in opening new
stations. The two made about Rs 100. but I didn’nt know if I
as a stranger here could get either one. Oh how I did ask the
Lord to give it to us if it was his will to go on. The Express
Order I got but I almost trembled as I asked for the other.
They said have you no order from Mr Sylwulka I said no. They
said we can’t give a stranger money without an order. Then I
remembered I had in my pocket a letter of introduction from
Hurlburt and Reibe and I gave them that. They went off in
another room and soon came back and said they could give it to
me. Gribble had a five dollar bill in one of his letters and
altogether we had just just Rs. 200 enough to take us and the
men to Uganda and about Rs 75 over for our expenses there. Mr.
Moses knows our mission and I am sure will fit us out
especially since $50 is waiting for us so we expect to move
right along. We are taking only six men from here, and will
leave at Mengo every thing we do not absolutely need. I find
from the map that if boat expenses are high on Lake Albert and
the Nile it is only 60 miles farther going straight on to
Wadelai overland the whole way. Then Mr Moses can send us the
money when he gets it to Wadelai and we can come back by boat.
Any way we mean to get through somehow.
Now I have a part that will interest you.
If we stay well and we are both of us exceedingly well we will
be back in Entebbe again in less than two months. We are stuck
here. We cant do anything until people are ready to occupy the
stations here so when we finish our next trip there is nothing
left but to come back to Kijabe. I said in the beginning of
the letter by Oct. 1st. but more likely the middle
of Aug. That seems almost like cutting it too short but if our
work is all done no one can blame us for coming back. Now if
we get back say about Sept 1st I imagine your first
term of school will be over and we will come during vacation.
Now I do not want to spend all the rest of that time at Kijabe
and I dont see why we should’nt go back to our old work among
the Masai until Hurlburt returns. Let me just give you a
little hint. Dont be surprised if I try to get you away from
Kijabe the second term of school. Maybe you can gradually be
working in someone else to take your place. Perhaps Zemmer’s
can get married about that time. Any way I feel we ought to
have that privelege of working for a while again among the
Masai. Cheer up Bibi our time of separation will soon be over
and wont it be just a picnic to be together again. I was’nt
half as anxious to see you the first time you came out from
America as I am now and I never wanted you to be my wife more
than I do now. You wondered if I remember how you used to be
on safari. I cant remember any thing except that you have been
a dear little sweet wife to me and oh I do so much want you
back again. I dont think I can ever love you more than I do
just now. My life would be such an empty thing without you. I
am going to try to be just as good as I can when I get back. I
have not missed the morning lesson once. I am reading Isaiah
now. I think that was to come after Acts. For a long time now
I have been getting up at 4 o’clock spending nearly 2 hrs. in
Bible study and prayer and it is such an immense help to me.
Maybe I can get in the habit of doing that and keep it up
permanently. We have such fine fish here and can buy them very
cheap. Wish you could have some. We leave here Wed. morning
early. Tomorrow Sunday the boat comes in and I am sure I will
get another letter from you. I can hardly wait until it comes.
If only you and Raymond were on the boat. I am sorry you miss
me so much but it will only make our coming together again the
sweeter. I dont think there has been a day since I left but
what I have thought that time all over two or three times. How
excited I will be when the train comes in sight of Kijabe and
how you and Raymond will be there to meet me. Oh Happy Day
that will be.
(Tues. forenoon.) I could’nt get the mail
Sun. but you bet I was at the post office Mon. morning before
the door opened, and what do you think I got. I’ll bet you
cant guess. Why a big fat letter from my very best girl. I
dont suppose you like that but it tickled me all over. Bibi
you are better to me than I deserve. you cant imagine how I
enjoy those letters. You can write better than you can talk. I
am glad to know you miss me but wish I was the only one that
had to feel it. I cant thank you enough for all you tell me
about Raymond. The dear little fellow. I wish I had a dozen
like him but in spite of all you say abut tears and head aches
I cant believe yet that my wish will come true. I guess youre
no good any more. You better hurry up and tell me it is
alright or, well I wont say, only that there are a lot of fine
old maids in Uganda. You think a few tears is making a baby of
you do you! Well console yourself on one thing you are not the
biggest baby going either in size or number of tears. I am
getting now so that I bawl over everything. We get on the boat
this afternoon and I am afraid I will bawl because we must
leave our camp. Never mind Bibi a few tears wont hurt. These
times of separation are hard but if you find a man who loves
his wife better than I do will you please let me know and I am
fully convinced the same thing is true on your side. I
would’nt give anything in the world for the love I have for
you and there is no better way to make me feel it than to have
to be sent away for awhile. Never mind I am coming back again
soon. Maybe after I am back awhile you’ll be glad to get rid
of me again. Before I forget I want you to send that money in
English notes if you can in a registered package to my address
in care of M. Moses Esq. British Trading Co., Nakaserra,
Uganda. We have plenty until we get back to Mengo again. We
expect to start for Wadelai on Monday June 27th. We
plan on 15 days to reach Wadelai ten days West from there and
15 days back again, 40 days in all of course only if we must
not lose a day on the whole journey except Sunday. It will
more likely take about two months. Then we will have finished
all I hoped to accomplish. Oh if I could only let you know
this now so you would’nt have to think of the long time ahead
but the letter goes on the same boat with us so I will mail it
at Entebbe and give you the very latest news. Now be a good
girl. When you get this more than half your time of waiting
will be over. Keep on reminding Raymond of his daddy and I
will come sailing in before you know it. I’d give a leg now
for a good old bear squeeze. I am afraid I will want so many
when I get back that it will be the finish of you. Then wont I
mourn. It will be worse than that epitaph “Eaten by a bear” to
have on you tombstone bear hugged to death by her husband.
Well good bye only remember we go to the Masai about the
middle of Sept. just to do as we all please. Hey? I’ll finish
at Entebbe.
Just coming into Entebbe. Maybe you think I
was’nt sick yesterday. I dont know what I did with myself but
I think I poisoned myself in some way. When I would vomit
everything was black. I was’nt sea sick as the boat was
entirely smooth and then I had fun with it. I had a frightful
pain in my head and could’nt understand what was the matter
until last night my bowels got very loose and I vomited a
great deal. I feel very well again this morning only a bit
weak but I think I will be alright. If you dont hear from me
very soon you can take for granted I am alright. I am going to
send you a telegram when we get to Entebbe because I am sure
you are worrying for not getting a letter sooner but I
could’nt possibly get one off before now as there was no boat.
I will try after this to get a letter to you once a week if I
can. Now be good because I am coming back soon again and I
dont want to have to spank you too often. I can’t tell you how
much I appreciate what you are doing now. I am sure you have
much the harder part to bear. I know there is not another
woman in the mission who would take it all as patiently as you
do, and I feel proud of having such a wife. So whatever bad
you may think about me you can at least be sure of one thing
your old man is thinking every day about his dear little brave
old girl and he is sure there never was a man who had a better
wife. We will hustle right off now and get back just as soon
as we possibly can. Dont worry because we follow the telegraph
line and I will be sure to let you know if anything goes
wrong. Dont get frightened though if a telegram comes because
I may want to let you know once in a while where we are
especially when we start back. I am sorry I cant hear hear
from you again until we get back to Entebbe but I read your
letters over once in awhile and imagine I just got them. Send
our mail to Moses unless I tell you different. This is the
longest letter I have ever written so you may know I am at
least thinking a little about you. Give Raymond a good squeeze
for me once in a while.
Yours in sincerest love
John.
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