Congo (109) Luebo, Congo 9/19/1923 [DCS]

Luebo

September 19, 1923

Dear Mater & Pater:

I mailed a letter to you today, but since I have been so bad about writing I must make up for lost time. There are several letters I must read over and answer, so I'll do that first

You certainly must be getting "sproosy" to roll up your hair to go to Livingston, however you are going to have to go some to beat me "spoosing up" when I get home.

B. M. 's always getting after me for primping, but that's all right. He wouldn't have me if I didn't, I mean he wouldn't like me nearly so well.

In a letter from Bess Parks, my next door neighbor at T. P. C., she spoke of meeting Daddy in Kerrville and certainly did speak highly of him. I hope Daddy remembers her for she is such a fine girl. She went to school at Oklahoma Presbyterian College last year and her mother was matron. I wonder if that could be the school to which Lizzy and Elvina went. I’m going to ask if she knew them when I write to her. She goes back to T. P. C. next year.

You told me about the Indians from Louisiana coming to Pinckney. I wondered if Sarah was coming, too.

I don't think you ought to worry about the mail any more, or that is about it getting lost or opened, for I believe everything is O.K. now. They have no more interest in me.

My dear mother! don't you worry yourself about curios. I'm going to get all I can and have room to take. The very idea of sending money to me for curios ! ! ! That sounds awful to me and don't you know that I could not use any money that you would send. I haven't seen an American dollar since I left England. Or rather since I reached England. I am not going to be able to get things for everyone who wants them.

I do not find many questions to answer, so I'll stop until tomorrow as it's getting late.

Love. Dot.

Dear Folks:

I'm trying to finish this and send it off, in order that it won't be such a long time between letters again.

Now for a talk about coming home, this is always a pleasant subject to me, and one I think of most too often for my good. I want to try to explain about the Terrell Proposition. B.M. and I talked it over a long time ago and we decided that that would be the nearest place, as Pinckney was so hard to get to and too we could see more people that way. I had always said I'd rather go straight to our home but felt that this probably was the best solution and Lucile said she would be able to meet me in Terrell. We of course should have consulted with you before we wrote anybody and now since I know what you prefer I too am going to gratify my wish and come home. I shall write to Lucile that want her to come out home and see us, and if she is anxious enough she will come. This business of not being able to come out to Pinckney is all ''Tom foolery." B. M. certainly showed us that where there's a will there's a way and especially since we have a car and fairly good roads. Of course, it's possible that her husband would not let her come, but then I'll be going to Terrell later. So if I don't hear otherwise I'm coming straight home from New York. I want to say here also that please do not be excited or frightened or uneasy if you hear that you have a telegram from us in Livingston, for the minute we land in New York we are going to send a telegram to Mr. Davis to be sent to you by phone if possible or mailed to you letting you know we are again in the States.

We thought of something that will keep us from having to leave home again soon after we arrive, that is that naturally Mrs. Egert (Miss Ida, B. M.'s sister) is going to want and expect to see us soon after we arrive, therefore we thought of inviting her to come out to see us, if this meets with your approval. I think it would be nice for you to invite her. I believe she will appreciate it and B. M. thinks she will come. I hope you don't feel that I'm trying to bring everyone out home to work you to death, but I believe I can help you out with our company more than I used to.

I came across some old negatives last night that I thought I sent home long time ago. I hope they are not ruined or won't be before they get there. They are pictures of our trip out. I'll send them to you, and if you will take good care of them, please. Love to the whole family. It's not so long till I start home.

Dorothy

Congo (108) Luebo, Congo 8/5/1923 [DCS]

Luebo

August 5, 1923

(I would suggest that you read BM's letter first).

My own dear homefolks:

It's been a long time since I wrote you last and much has happened since then too. I'm leaving it up to B. M. to tell you about everything because he can tell you in a short length of time and it would take me ages. We have been working hard getting the Vinsons and the Stixruds away. Georgia, Rowena, and I made seven dresses and a kimono last week for the two ladies. Don't you think that was doing well?

We are going to be somewhat lonesome for a while now as Georgia and Miss Black are leaving for the lake at Bulape tomorrow on top of all these other folks leaving. This is vacation month in the schools and they are going away for a good rest up.

I will not be able to think of hardly anything for the next six months but "going home." But especially the next three months will be spent in plans and packing. Then after I get to Kinshasa I'll go to work again for about two months and a half.

I won't have much getting ready of clothes to do I had expected to have for I have been very fortunate along those lines. I hope you get this letter before you get my going home clothes for I don't need everything I asked for now. But if you have already gotten them send them on if you are sure of their getting here in time. You see, unless Mr. Martin comes and will bring it you ought really to send it by mail to Kinshasa for if you sent it by the Millers they would have to go clear to Mutoto to get their trunk, unpack, and then send my things to Kinshasa. They are not due here until about Jan., I don't think, and that would be too late. I have heard that Mr. Martin has all the packages already that he can bring, for he has already turned down several for other people. So if you are afraid to send them by mail and if there is no other way just keep them until I come for I believe I can get along without them.

My only trouble has been heavy clothes, but I got a pretty velvet dress from Susie's things for a little less than six dollars and I believe it is just about what you thought of getting for me. It is trimmed in red and the only trouble is that it is a little short, but Mrs. McKinnon says I can fix it. It was such a bargain I could not resist the temptation. Then as I have told you before, Mrs. Mc is out growing her clothes and I am gradually falling "air" to them. She gave me a dark voile yesterday. With just a little taking up in the band, I can wear it all right. I haven't tried it on since I have pressed it so I don't know just how becoming it is. I think Mrs. Mc has the prettiest clothes of anyone on the station" 'sept me," but unfortunately it isn't my fault they are pretty. Then I believe I asked you in one of my last letters to get me some flannelet night gowns, but I have gotten two of Susie's. Mr. Savel is selling her clothes or as many as he can and I also got three pair of teds and three princess slips which will help me very much. You see it seems so uncertain about my getting my things from home. I'd rather get both than have to go home without anything. The only thing I can think of that I might need would be a sport suit or a heavy woolen dress. Not both.

B. M.'s birthday just passed the 2nd. We had a nice dinner party and birthday cake up at Dot Anderson's. The invited guests were Stixruds, Mrs. Allen & Mr. Savels, and the Schlotters. Mrs. Allen came down for a few days from Bulape to get some teeth fixed before Dr. leaves. I also had one tooth filled the other day. My teeth seem to be in good condition now. Mrs. Allen is certainly a sweet little woman.

I'm going to close now or I may not get this off. I'll try to do better next time. I love you both, and please don't worry about us or anything cause I want you to be well and strong when I get home. If you could only know how anxious I am to see you all.

Lovingly,

Dorothy

Congo (107) Luebo, Congo 8/4/1923 [BMS]

Luebo, August 4th, 1923

Dear Mother and Daddy:

If you will note the above date you will no doubt recall a very important event that occurred just three years ago today. And when I think about my circumstances out here five years ago, as a bachelor, the difference strikes me as that between "living" out here and having a "home." It certainly has meant a great deal in my life that the above mentioned event took place. While we shall be out here only a few more months this term, still we have had a nice little home out here in the heart of Africa.

There is a great deal to write you about this time. In fact the past month has been so full of momentous happenings that we have scarcely had much time to get a good quiet time for a letter. I have always said that one never knows what will happen in a few months out here; the unexpected so often happens.

Dorothy has written you in her last letter about Mrs. Savel's (Susie) illness. She recovered from her Black Water Fever, and was apparently doing well. She was up at our house helping us develop some picture films on Thursday night, July 5th, and was jolly and full of life, for she was always pleasant and in a happy humor. Then Friday she had fever, and Sunday she had an abscess in her throat lanced. Tuesday it seems she developed septic pneumonia; Dorothy was with her (she sent for Dorothy) Tuesday morning till about noon, and was very weak. On Wednesday morning her situation was grave, although the Dr. never gave up hope till the last. About 1:30 Wednesday at noon she passed away. It was certainly a sad experience for us all, and especially to us as she was such a companion to Dorothy. We buried her that evening, it being dark before we got through. Naturally, you may be inclined to have fears as soon as you read this, but it cannot be said that her illness and death was due to the Congo. Her own failure to take quinine had perhaps as much to do with it as anything else. It was a great blow to Mr. Savels, with a little two-year old child (nearly three, I believe), although he has stood it very bravely.

Then a few days after Susie's death Dr. Stixrud found that Mrs. Vinson had the beginnings of the sleeping sickness germs. She wasn't anything like Mrs. Kellersberger's case, for Mrs. Kelly was worn out at the same time, and was not able to travel for some weeks, while Mrs. Vinson has been up all the time. It is quite necessary to make the distinction between actual "sleeping-sickness" and having the germs. And then too, we have no record of any missionary in the last 15 or 20 years having died from it, for a number have had it and all have recovered, without exception. We heard from Mr. Wilds only last mail, and he is in good physical condition; he had this germ when he was out here the term before this last one, and seems to have no traces of it at all. Then in addition to this the doctors in Europe (Germany) have discovered a treatment that has had great results, a supply of which Dr. Stixrud received from Dr. Kellersberger only a week or so before he discovered the germs in Mrs. Vinson. Mrs. Vinson has already taken three treatments, and has already felt better. Mrs. Kellersberger took this same treatment, and seems to be well of the disease.

But that isn't all, about a week or ten days after this discovery in Mrs. Vinson, Dr. Stixrud found that he himself had the disease! ! To see the Dr. so energetic, riding around continually on his motorcycle, you would think he had anything but the disease; he said himself today, as they were leaving, that he was ashamed to go, as he looks the picture of health. As far as this germ is concerned, no one feels any uneasiness about the recovery of either of these. But of course, it is necessary for them to go to Europe at once for treatment.

The treatment in Europe lasts from a month to six weeks; it is merely an injection of this drug about once a week. Of course after this the Dr. examined the rest of us carefully, but failed to find any other signs. It is hard to tell where either of these were infected. The Dr. has been making trips all over the country, so has had plenty of opportunity to meet the Tsetse fly that carries the germ. Mrs. Vinson must have been bitten at the brick yard, which is about a mile and a half from the station, and right down about water.

The Stixruds and Vinsons left today on their way to Europe. All were in good spirits, and both Mrs. Vinson and Dr. Stixrud were moving about like the rest of us, and show no outward signs of feeling other than well. The fact is, tl,is disease is really considered more an inconvenience in causing a person to go to these specialists for treatment in Europe, than it is considered dangerous to life. As I mentioned above, we have no record of white people failing to recover in due time. Mrs. Kellersberger perhaps had a hard time because she was worn out and sick when she took it, although she seems to be doing well now.

Dr. Stixrud's going does not leave us without a doctor here at Luebo, for there is a Government doctor on the other side of the river, who can get up here in 30 or 40 minutes. Then Mrs. Morrison (no longer Miss Mary Porter) will be here until Miss Farmer comes from Bibanga. So it is only our own medical work among the natives that will suffer.

After reading this you may feel very anxious and worried about Dorothy, but I want to say, and I can say it conscientiously, that you have no reason to worry about either of us, for the Doctor examined Dorothy's blood carefully, and there was not the least sign of the germ; neither were there any symptoms in me.

I failed to add in the above paragraph that Dr. Kelly is coming to Luebo in a few months to give us all another good physical examination. Mrs. McKinnon is in rather delicate health; of course she was in this condition when she came, as she had such terrible operations at home when they removed her cancer, three or four serious operations.

We have just heard that Mr. and Mrs. Rochester are on their way back; on account of the ill-health of his wife we had given up hope of his coming, and it is a pleasant surprise to hear they are on the way, especially when as m.any furloughs will fall due this fall and the coming year.

The rest of us are working along as usual. There will be a good many going on furlough during the next six months. The Morrisons leave about the first of September; after that those who came in our party and shortly after some from Mutoto.

This letter may convey the impression that we are all very much discouraged and depressed. Of course, we have all felt the shock of Mrs. Savel's death, as well as the departure of the others, but about the latter we feel no uneasiness, and it is more the need of their help that affects us.

As we have already written you, we expect to go down to Kinshasa in November, and leaving Luebo somewhere about the first of November.

With love,

B.M.

Congo (106) Luebo, Congo 7/4/1923 [DCS]

Luebo, July 4, 1923

Dear homefolks:

I finished a letter on clothes, so decided to start another. Susie Savels has been very ill with "Black Water Fever." It seems that she just won't take quinine. She is a lot like a child in lots of ways, and that is one thing she is like a child about. Neither B. M. or myself have had any hard fevers since we have been here and I believe, in fact I know, it is because we take our quinine regularly.

We want to go to the Mission meeting at Mutoto in October, but I don't know whether I'll get finished packing to leave for the pool the first of November or not. I am real anxious to see Mototo station.

So glad to hear of the railroad to Chambers' Crossing. Seems that the railroad helps in so many ways. Won't you expect to get your supplies from Camden again?

It is both Rowena's and Georgia's birthday, or rather yesterday was Rowena's and tomorrow is Georgia's, so we have been celebrating lately. Dorothy Anderson and I got up a trip to the falls and a picnic supper at her house. We had lots of fun at the falls, all the ladies went in wading. Doesn't that sound terrible for missionaries, but after all, they are human. The party consisted of Andersons, Morrisons, Hobsons, The Club (Miss Black, Georgia, the men didn't go.) and a visiting lady from one of the other missions. The other members of our station never go on outings of this kind on account of their children, etc. Some think they are too old, others are sick. Mrs. Savels has been having a terrible time, had fever between a hundred and five & three for two days and has tonsillitis and an abscess in her throat, which the doctor had to lance. Dr. thinks most, if not all, her trouble has been brought on by not taking care of herself. She never will follow the Dr's orders no matter how sick she is and someone either Mrs. Stix or Mary have to be with her nearly all the time in order to make her take her medicine. Mrs. Stix says she believes Susie wants to die. You used to call me "babyish" but I never was as babyish as she is. A grown woman with two children, can you imagine!!! Of course we are all sorry for her and do everything we can for her but it's hard to have patience with a person who won’t try to help themselves. Here is a sample. She came up to my house to print pictures with me, with fever 101 --one hundred and one--and did not tell me at all until she got ready to go home, then she said, "I have a little fever, Dorothy, but don't tell Dr. or my husband. They will make me go to bed." Certainly she is tired of her bed after three weeks, but anyone should have sense enough to take care of themselves after "Black Water Fever."

Now I was telling you about our parties but got off on Susie, but she is so much on our minds lately, we never know whether she is going to die or live. Rowena had a supper last night (her birthday). Anderson's, Georgia, the visiting lady & Schlotters were invited. We had a nice supper and stunts after dinner. I played "Jesus Lover of My Soul" with my nose. Others sang, recited, etc.

We are at last getting some good pictures, and I want to enclose four in this letter. One of our house--it's even better than Dr. Smith's, I think, another of B. M. and me on the porch steps, and another of me on my porch. Also me in my hammock. We think they are all fine. I am not especially plain on the porch, but the main thing was the porch in that

picture. I have on the dress Mrs. McKinnon gave me. This is where I sit and play my uke and long for you lots of evenings.

With lots of love to mother & daddy. Dorothy

Congo (105) Luebo, Congo 7/4/1923 [DCS]

American Presbyterian Congo Mission

Luebo, July 4th 1923

Dearest Homefolks:

People have certainly been good to me lately. I have decided that they are sorry for me because I have to go to the pool, (Kinshasa), but anyway, I've certainly been getting some nice things. Mrs. McKinnon has given me two real pretty dresses, one is voile and the other organdy, made up with blue dotted swiss just beautiful more like a party dress. I forgot to say that it is trimmed with net ruffles and they just set it off. It's just the kind of dress that suits me. The reason that she can let me have them is that she has gotten fat since she arrived, therefore all her dresses are getting too small for her and she is having to make herself more. I let her have the voile I brought out with me, which I was more than

glad to do. I hate to think about trying to make dresses. Her dresses just exactly fit me. I seem to fall heir to clothes that get too small for the other person. I'm taller than several of the other ladies on the station but smaller everywhere else. Georgia gave me a beautiful waist yesterday. I'm not much on waists and skirts but it will come in mighty handy when I start wearing my coat suit. Mary says she has a dress that is too small for her that she wants me to have, but I haven't seen it yet. Don't worry any more about me and clothes until I come home, for by the time I get those dresses from you I shall be well supplied. I don't think I shall attempt making a single dress before I come

I was telling you about my checked gingham I have to make but I'm going to get you to help me plan it when I get there. I have plenty of other sewing to do, though. it certainly was good of you to send me those dresses and things. We expect them in the next mail. From all we hear, the Martins are on the way by this time and I can't imagine who you can send things by. Still have hopes the Millers will come about that time. I'm very glad you put in the union suits for I will need them badly, I fear. However, I am going to try and get plenty of teddies made. I thought of one more thing that I am going to need badly and that's two flannelet night gowns. I have enough material for one and I think three will be enough. If you can just send the material I can make them or have them made.

Don't forget the letter I asked for you to send to New York. Won't know whether to get spring or summer clothes. Must go to work..

Lovingly,

Dorothy

Congo (104) Luebo, Congo 6/25/1923 [DCS]

Luebo Monday

June 25, 1923

Dear homefolks:

The mail came in yesterday bringing two letters from you. The mail was given out after English service at about six o'clock. My letters had gotten separated someway and for a few minutes I thought I hadn't gotten any and I was getting ready to go home and have a big cry when Susie called and said, "Dot", that's what everyone calls me here, "here is

your mail." It was left behind and then I clapped my hands for joy. We got another letter from Carroll enclosing correspondence about some photocopying paper we ordered. He had a mighty hard time getting it for us and we would not have ordered it from him had we known it would put him to so much trouble. But it will mean so much to us when we get it, as we are trying to get some good pictures these days. It's possible we can send you some good pictures when we reach the pool (Kinshasa). If not we will have to wait until we get home. That's one trouble about plate negatives--they can't be sent through the mail very well.

Please don't have anyone expecting curios for they are few and very hard to get. Nice ones are, I mean. The native is a very lazy person and if he ever gets up enough energy to make himself something nice, he does not care to give it up. Cisuaka is a good hand at getting things for me and he has gotten or helped to get most everything I have. I shall give some presents in curios but no quantity to anyone.

I'm just home from school 1:30 and I'm so tired. It gets to be more of a mystery every day I live how you used to go to school at 8:00 and not come home until 4:00 day in and day out six months in the year. However that is I'm working harder than I ever did in my life and am happy as can be. I never will believe married life is as bad as you used to say

it was, that is if you get the right man.

I have six cute little girls in my class from the age of about seven to twelve. My class is small this term because that is what I asked for. I thought it would be better to have a few and teach them well than have ten or fifteen as I did before and not have enough time for each one. B. M. and I are going over in the fence this afternoon to take their pictures.

I have had to begin and begin again until I'm tired of it. Shall continue in another letter.

Love to all,

Dorothy

P. S. We always speak of Kinshasa as the "Pool," it being on "Stanley Pool."

Congo (103) Luebo, Congo 6/18/1923 [BMS] [DCS]

Luebo, Congo Beige, Africa

June 18, 1923

Dear Friends:

Since writing you last I have been transferred to a new location, although this change will not take place until the first of November. The Mission has assigned us to take charge of the Union Mission Hostel for the last three months of our term, located at Kinshasa; and we shall try to give you an idea of what this Hostel is, its purpose, etc.

The terminus of the Matadi-Kinshasa railroad (more commonly called Matadi-Leopoldville) is on Stanley Pool. The big steamers from Europe land at Matadi, an inland port on the Congo River. At Matadi we take the little railroad to Stanley Pool, to the City of Kinshasa (three miles from Leopoldville). At Kinshasa all missionaries going inland, up the

rivers, take the river steamers. And as a great many missionaries of the different Missions are constantly passing through Kinshasa, and as it became more and more difficult for these missionaries to find accommodations while staying there to take the train for Matadi or the boats up river, five of the Missions decided to build a Union Hostel (or Hotel). This Hostel was completed nearly a year ago, and until a permanent manager is found to take charge of this work, the different Missions involved are each sending a couple there for six months (in the case of our Mission it will be two couples, each for a period of three months.)

Those of our Missionaries who have stopped over there on their way in or out, pronounce it a success and a blessing for our Missionaries. Even though a place is found in the Kinshasa hotels, the environment is such that makes it often very disagreeable and uncomfortable for missionaries, for there is no form of prohibition in Kinshasa, either on strong drink or some other forms of vice just as repulsive. There is a population of something like 400 white people at that place, and a large number of natives, considerably over 10,000

As we are due to leave Luebo about the first of November mail should be addressed to us at Kinshasa (as per address below) upon receipt of this letter. Also, we are scheduled to leave Kinshasa for our furlough shortly after the first of February, mail will not be likely to reach us on the field if it leaves the States later than December 15th. However, this letter should reach you in early September.

Kinshasa is not a location to be desired, and the work will no doubt be trying. So we ask for your prayers. With our prayers for you, we are

Yours in His service,

Mr. & Mrs. B. M. Schlotter.

Nashville, Tennessee, September 1923

Address: Mr. & Mrs. B. M. Schlotter, Union Mission House,

Kinshasa, Congo Belge, Africa. Letters 5 cents, postcards 2 cents.

Congo (102) Luebo, Congo 6/10/1923 [DCS]

Luebo Sunday

June 10, 1923

Dear homefolks and all:

I have a letter ready to go to you now, but since your three letters day before yesterday I just must write again. You can never guess how I enjoyed those last three letters of yours. They were just so much like my own dear mother. Now I know that she hasn't changed very much as Dr Stix said you would for he certainly did say so and meant it.

As usual, B.M. and I were talking about you folks today and were planning lots of things for when we come home. I think about it so often I fear it's going to make time go slower but I can't help it. The main thing we talked about today was fixing so people could come out to see us. B.M. and I are going to sleep on the porch. Rowena and Kemp

may come out for a day or two and B.M. wants his sister to come visit us. Then there are Hickman and Nettie whom I hope will come. That reminds me, we got a letter from Hickman in the last mail. You could have knocked me over with a feather. And a great big fat letter from Carrol and a nice package from him. We got two packages in this mail, his and one from Montgomery Ward. Everything we needed badly and oh! it's so good to get packages out here. The one from Carrol came with the letter; wasn't that fine time. I don't think you need fear at all to send packages if you get him to mail them. Everything comes in fine shape. Mr. Reeves and I were real good friends, especially the younger Reeves.

Yes. I knew all about Ernest's affair, but was more than surprised to hear about Carrie's marriage. The things that he (Mr. Reeves) sent were certainly nice and we shall write and thank him. Don’t say anything whatever you do, but if B.M. and I come back, he is going to try to get in with Mr. Reeves in order to learn more about printing. I mean he may do that. That would mean that we could stay around our kinfolks instead of going to some city.

The dresses you are making for me will certainly be welcomed as all my clothes are wearing out fast. I threw three away last week, and I think I'll throw two more this week, for I have worn them too long already. Really I can get along very well as I have plenty of Sunday dresses and I am going to wear them more often; then all the dresses you sent me

are still pretty and since getting those two skirts from Mrs. McKinnon (Eva) as I call her and the blouses you made and had made for me, there is no reason why I can't keep clean and looking nice. B.M. likes middies and skirts on me. He did not realize it was the person who wore them that counted. Well, you know middies can be worn in such a way that they look very slouchy, and so long as I'm not slouchy he does not mind. The only dresses that he does not like are that dress Mrs. Josey made for me, blue gingham, and my aprons that hang every which way at the bottom and I have discarded all of those except one or two aprons for use in picture developing. The stains of that medicine are terrible. The dress is nearly all holes. I'm glad my clothes are wearing out because then I won't have to carry them home. Just so I get enough to go home in. I'm washing my organdy (white) today for the first time (Mon.). Certainly hope it will turn out nicely and I still use it as one of my party dresses. The white dress I got in England I save for parties and also the white linen with grosgrain ribbon.

This letter has certainly been written by pieces. I wrote Sun., yesterday before school, and it's only a little while until school time now. I intended to write yesterday again, but we had a called women's meeting and I found out that Mary was sick so I had to go over there for a minute and I had Mr. Hilllhouse and Craig for supper last night so everything

together took all my time. That is a sample of the way our time is spent. Sometimes I could shut myself up in my house and not have to go anywhere or have anyone come to see me. But I guess I am just selfish. However, I’ll have to acknowledge I had rather be as I am now than when I first got here, didn't visit with anyone much except Sarah and that

was a one-sided affair. I did hate to entertain when I first got out here. So much for that. I must answer your letter now. But first, do you think the Livingston people are very out with me for not writing? I haven't written to any of them for ages. Just can't seem to get fixed to write to anyone but you folks.

Dr. Kelly must have been to Houston just before he left for the field for before your letter got to me we had heard that Dr. was at Bibanga. We are so thankful for his arrival because if he had not come Dr. Stixrud would have been the only Dr. on the whole mission. That's one good thing about Luebo. We are never without either a Dr. or a nurse. It's not very pleasant I should imagine to feel yourself entirely without medical help and can't get any under three days motorcycle.

What ever you decide about my clothes will be perfectly all O.K. with me. I am afraid what I would have to say would mislead you. The black velvet sounds mighty nice and especially nice for traveling as I don't have any way to keep clothes pressed and you know my failing. I could wear a dress like that after I got home, too. No, I don't think you need to worry about getting it too dressed for the boat. People dress in evening dresses every evening, especially on the big boat between England and America. I like the black velvet best, I think, but be sure you put plenty of bright colors for I don't want to look like I'm in "mourning". Far from it! Mrs. McKinnon has a beautiful corduroy kimono that slips on over the head and she gets lots of good out of it even out here.

It's made like this. I never was a good drawer, but I wanted to give the effect of square sleeves for a piece, then get narrower and ribbon (black) at waist and around neck.

We hear different things about the Martin's return so we have no idea when they will return. You probably will not be able to send my going home things by them. Don't send any more lace. I have plenty now. I am wearing the shoes you sent me. B.M. put them in the stretchers up at the Industrial School and they do not hurt only when I wear them long at

a time. Everyone brags on them and they are beautiful.

My hair came out badly after I had influenza, but has stopped now. I am taking better care of it than I ever have by myself. My only trouble now is that I have dandruff, but I believe even that is better at present. If you know of any cure for it, please tell me. I may be able to get it in England or Antwerp. I don't think this climate has any bad effect on hair if it's cared for.

I have not gone on about B.M. for knowing me as you do, I was afraid you would think something was wrong and I was trying to smooth it over. B.M. and I have our little ups and downs as every two people have. I am not with you in the belief that love means we have no fusses. Every two people are different and there are bound to be disagreements.

Take you and I for example. We loved each other, you know. Still I never fussed with anyone as I did with you sometimes. I can't do that subject justice on paper, so the rest will have to wait until I get home. You always threw Aunt Hon up to me when that subject came up. No one knew what went on behind the curtains. She is the kind to keep

things of that kind hid. I am the kind to fight it out then and there. I see you throwing up your hands in horror, the same as you did one time when I said I thought the larger percent of the girls at home were not straight, and I have found out later how really true that statement was.

I cannot imagine myself ashamed of my own mother, can you? My only hope is that you will be able to go around with me when we get home. You misunderstood about that you will be able to go around with me when we get home. You misunderstood about the milk someway. I suppose you are talking about the canned milk I had to drink in order to gain weight. We don't even have goats any more to milk. I don't know whether B. M. likes milk or not. I've not seen him tried on good rich milk yet, but I suppose he does. There are very few things that he does not eat. Now if you had been asking me, well!!!

What's the matter with everyone at Kiam and Pinkney? They are getting so high ''fuluting'' and buying cars.

I have written cousin Anne Sampson but the one I would be ashamed to face is Miss Chapman. She sent all those nice pictures that meant so much to me and not one word have I written her. When I do write, I'll enclose it in your letter for I don't know her address.

I believe I have told everything I know. The Bankers across the river are to come over for tea. So I'll be busy all morning preparing for them.

Lots of love to all, especially yourselves and Aunt Nennie.

Lovingly,

Dorothy