Congo (160) Luebo, Congo 4/28/1927 [DCS]

Luebo

April 28, 1927

Dearest homefolks:

Your letter came in last night on a plane we were not expecting. You see, we don't know what to expect these days and we hear now that we will have two weeks air service. This will be very nice if true. Don't you think I have done better about writing to you since I have been back this time?

You were talking about Cisuaka. He is still with us and it seems that we will be able to keep him until we go home. Nzeba, his wife, gave birth to a baby girl this morning and they named her for me (Masinga)--I am going to make her a dress and go to see her this P.M. or tomorrow. It is certainly distressing about Beulah. It seems so strange to me that those girls had those bad ideas in their heads and hearts and that I never knew anything about it when I was growing up. They never mentioned it to me. All the missionaries who come back from furlough these days say things are terrible among the young people, high school boys and girls. I can hardly believe that all they say is true. So you see, it is not only among the Indians, but white people know how to get away with it. Times must be bad.

I was so glad the films reached you. They are good and the envelope was rather heavy. I had some fears that they would not arrive safely. Please send Lucille one of the best of Max and me to San Benito, Rural Delivery.

I planted the zinnias this morning. I was glad to get them, but hope you didn't deprive yourself. I do wish I could see the roses. I am not trying to raise any anymore. I planted my dry season garden yesterday out by the wash place. B.M. had it fenced off for me, and I laid off the rows and planted it myself--okra, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, mustard & turnip greens, cabbage, cucurnbers,and a few butter beans and string beans for soup. Water is a big problem during this dry season, but I hope I can keep it going.

It is so hard to tell what I will absolutely need; you see, I can't tell how these dresses are going to last. I would be absolutely fixed if I went home now. My idea now is a satin dress black or blue, whichever color they are wearing most. I prefer navy blue. Ito has one I am crazy about. She says it's grand for traveling and does not muss easily. The pockets and trimmings are black oil cloth and white buttons sewn on with colored thread. It has a short circular over skirt and a fancy ruffled net front. If I could get something like this that I like I would be set up. I have been looking for some nice material that won't wrinkle badly for the train and boat. In the spring, that's all I'll need with a wrap. I have something here that would do until I get to Belgium for a wrap. You could have this made in Livingston or Terrell if you go there and send it through the mail. I'll go to see Ito's dress and perhaps tell you more about it. The material is the biggest thing. I want it good,but I do, of course, like rather frilly things, not too plain.

Later. I went up to see Ito's dress this A.M. and what do you think. She insisted on my taking her dress and sending her another one for her to go home in. That's almost 2 1/2 years from now. Later, as I wrote this, I began to think that's 2 1/2 years is too long to have a debt hanging on, and if we don't come back to the mission, there is no telling where we will be, so I asked Ito to sell me the dress. She agreed to this, but wanted only $10, but I persuaded her to take $15, and I am sure I will get more good than that out of it. It's a $50 or $60 dollar dress and she got it for $27.50. All my descriptions were unnecessary, but I guess you will be interested to know what it looks like. I am trying to take good care of the rest of my clothes and I believe I will have plenty to come home in. I am going to put this one I have just gotten and the peach georgette you sent me from San Antonio in Jean's cedar chest so the roaches won't get them.

The seed you sent me are up. I hope I can keep them alive during the dry season. Thank you so much for them.

Love to you all,

Dorothy

P. S.. Tell Aunt Nennie I certainly did appreciate the violets and I would like to hear from her sometimes, even though she feels that her letters would not be interesting. I am sitting on the porch and the wind is blowing. That's the reason my letter is so blotted.

Love,

Dot

I had a nice letter from Rubye in the last mail. Glad to hear Hudson and his wife are together again--Dot.

Congo (159) Luebo, Congo 3/27/1927 [BMS] [DCS]

Luebo, March 27, 1927

Dear Folks:

It has been a couple of mails since I have written you, and now we have word that the next plane is due in a few days. With the planes coming regularly every 18 days, these mail days slip up on us before we are aware they are due. It takes us a few days to read and digest a mail, and then we think, by habit, that the next mail is· still a long ways off, and we are caught.

We are considerably less in numbers at Luebo now, 17 grown folks, whereas we were 24 only a few months ago. I suppose you have heard of Mr. Martin's sudden departure. He was planning to go about August or September of this year, but had word in the last mail that his mother was very low and might not last long and they urged him to come home immediately, which he did. His mother has T. B. As you have no doubt heard, this has been quite prevalent in their family. He had a brother to die from this, and Mr. Martin was threatened along this line himself some time back. This sudden exit has made it rather hard for the Evangelistic Department, as they have not had sufficient time to get things in order.

A little seven month's old baby died across the river last week; a child of one of the state officials, and who happens to be a Protestant, or rather his wife. So they asked the Mission to conduct the funeral. Several of us attended the burial, both Dot and myself. The baby was taken sick about 3:00 A.M. with a high fever and died at 1:00 the same day. Mrs. Shive said it could have been fever of the brain, as the temperature of that runs very high, and this child's fever went up to over 107. I should have said malaria fever of the brain. This same family lost a child 8 months old a couple of years ago. Mortality among children seems no higher here now than at home, although I remember when I first came out here it was rather high (I mean among white people), and an alarming percent of the first children of our missionaries died here. But now, with such a large number of children, we have much to be thankful for in the matter of their health. Of course, people have learned how to take care of them; two things that I believe have contributed a great deal are quinine and proper food.

Our squab plant has now gotten to a profitable stage, and we are having about all the squabs we care to eat. We have about 38 pairs of mated pigeons, and they are doing fine. Besides the profit, we both derive considerable pleasure from raising them. Besides squabs to eat, we also raise some to increase our flock or to replace some not so profitable. They are hardworking little creatures, and very interesting. It takes regular and careful attention to keep them in good condition, but only a little time each day its needed.

March 28, 1927

Dorothy mentioned the fact that another boat had been added to the service from Belgium to the Congo. However, this is not a first class passenger boat and the officials state it will not carry mail. It is a boat that will carry only cargo and second-class passengers for the Congo, but no mail, at least so they report. There are quite a number of people coming to the Congo in second class; a large number of state officials, according to rank, are required to come second class. The names of the four boats coming are as follows: THYSVILLE (the one we came out on this time), Anversville (the one we went home on last time), ELIZABETHVILLE; these are the three first class passenger boats; then the STANLEYVILLE, is a new boat just put in service, and which I refer to above as the one carrying only second class passengers. This last named is smaller, and above as the one carrying only second class passengers. This last named is smaller, and takes 22 days for the trip, whereas the others only take 18 days. I doubt if we can count on mail coming more frequently at this time. We will let you know if we hear further.

I note what you say about Max's rupture, and hope you have not been worrying about it, for he has suffered very little (practically none as far as we can tell) from it. And now it seems to have almost disappeared. Dr. Cousar says that it is not something to worry over unless it gets to an enlarged stage, for he claims that over half the men have this trouble or have had it as children. He has had quite a bit of experience at Johns Hopkins, which as you know, is no mean hospital. Mrs. Stegall's little baby had it too, but it was about like Max's and Dr. Stixrud did not consider it serious. So I believe you will be safe in scratching this off your list of worries.

One of the government officials is living here in our village now collecting taxes and information among the natives. They are quite pleasant; the Madame speaks right good English, and he speaks some. She is here visiting Dorothy this morning.

We had a birthday party at the Longeneckers Sat. evening in honor of little Dorothy; she is about five, I believe. Max enjoyed it tremendously as well as the rest of us.

It's time to quit, as I have lots of other things to do. Trust this finds everybody well, and with love to all.

As ever,

B.M.

P. S. Please excuse my writing on both sides, but our letter is getting heavy.

We have just had word that the Allens hope to start back to the Congo in July. They expect to have their medical exam about May. Of course, it all depends on this report. She had dormant or inactive for a long time previous to this, Personally I doubt if they will be permitted to return so soon; but that's humanly speaking. If the Lord wants them back now, it isn't with the doctors? ?

Dorothy

Congo (158) Luebo, Congo 3/20/1927 [DCS]

Luebo March 20, 1927

Sunday

Dear homefolks:

Your letter was a surprise after our trip to the lake yesterday. It seems that perhaps since their putting on two extra boats from Antwerp that we will likely get mail more often. A plane came in but I did not expect mail. We left yesterday morning at nearly 8:00 A. M. in the truck for Kampungi. There were 8 grown people and four children. The children took hammocks from Kampungi, a distance of about four miles, except Max rode on the wheel with B.M. The rest of us walked. I enjoyed it until in the afternoon, and the walk back to the car tired me. It was all forgotten soon, though. The Morrisons were at the lake and they had gotten things fixed up real nice. We took the children in wading after dinner. Max did enjoy it so much. Then what do you suppose I did. I wonder if you will be surprised. I got Kemp to bob my hair!!! I like it much better than I did before, guess I knew more about how I wanted it. I think it's going to look nice. Now don't tell me in your next letter you are sorry as they are wearing long hair again!! Jean and Mary have both bobbed their hair, too.

B.M. was just as much against it as he was before, I think, but he gave his consent and I believe he likes it now. I have it up in the back, but have left enough on top to pull down over my forehead. I let Miss Headen have my barrette and now I have to use B.M.'s tie pin. That was the best barrette I ever saw. I got it at Gerlachs. I wish you could enclose me one in a letter; would that be against the rules? It had purple glass sets and two wires underneath like myoid bow holder, and about 1 1/2 inches across. I have some small barrette I got across the river, but I can't get them to fasten. I asked Squeak to send mine back. but I am afraid she won't. She said she liked it too well!

I am sorry I did not mention the stockings sent from Gerlachs for I got them, and I don't know how I would have gotten along without them. They were all nice. I couldn't help wondering where you got your news about Albert Mathews. There are certain people out our way whom I believe wouldn't mind telling tales on him.

Max is sitting here on the porch playing church. He sings awhile, then covers his eyes for a short prayer. The only word I understand is "amen." I take him every Sunday to our English service at 5:00 o'clock. He gets mighty restless sometimes. I have been fixing up his baby book this week. I think it is very good for the time I have spent on it and the pictures have helped out wonderfully. I am hoping to hear in your next letter that you have received pictures and films we sent.

I can't think of any more news, my main object in this letter was telling you about my hair. My plan for the next week is sewing. The slips you and Aunt Nennie made for me have gone to rags. I expect to make about four more, three gowns, (pink crepe), and some bath towels. I brought toweling instead of towels this time. I may make me a dress or two for everyday wear. I want me a "ballcan [?] blouse" suit. They remind me of the beautiful ones you made for me when I went to Missouri to school.

Love to you all,

Dorothy

Congo (157) Luebo, Congo 3/8/1927 [DCS]

Luebo, March 8, 1927

Dear homefolks:

I am in a big hurry this A. M. as it's the beginning of the rainy season after a short dry spell, and we are trying to get things started in the garden and yard. It rained a good rain last night and so it's a fine time to plant. I planted out about 30 tomato plants from raised beds and a few eggplants, but spent most of my time on flowers. I am planting zinnias, cosmos, and a few other things I got at Lubondai up and down both my front paths, most were only transplants and thinned. The one zinnia I got from the seeds you sent is living, but I fear it's been too shaded on the porch. The mail come in last night, got two letters from you and Daddy's enclosure.

Mr. Martin has gotten a call home on account of his mother's weak condition and they want to have a family reunion. It has put in my head the idea of going home. Just to think I could be with you in a little over a month and during your vacation, too, but I have no excuse at all, as I am unusually well for Congo, but of course it was at the beginning of my third year that I began to feel it the last time. B.M. would have been willing, I believe, if I had had more time to get ready. This is just the time of year I want to come home, too. I must forget it though, and look forward to coming home next year about this time. B.M. is having some trouble with his eyes and if they get worse we will certainly come home on that account, for if we stay at home and I think we will, our keep would depend on his eyes. He can't afford to run any risk. We are not expecting to come, of course, but I just wanted to warn you that if you heard we were in New York, you would not be uneasy. Max has hadthe"Flu" but is well again now. I believe every child on the station has had it.

The Stegalls and Rochesters left on the Lapsley last week & Mr. Martin is hoping to catch the same boat from Matadi. If Mr. M. is not as enthusiastic about us as you expect him to be, it is because we are the Hobson's best friends. He and Kemp are in the same department and although I have heard of no serious misunderstandings, they have very different ideas along some lines. We seem to have "clicks" on this station; It can't seem to be avoided on a large station and Mr. M. is very partial to his particular friends. There has been no disagreement, and things are running smoother than usual. I like Mr. Martin very much.He is a fine and most interesting man. I hope you will be able to hear him speak. The Allens and Vinsons are special friends of his.

We are keeping Stegall's Victrola and enjoy it. We have a record in the native language sung by Mr. McKee in England. It isn't very good, I don't think. We may bring ours home. There is a story on the Congo written by Annie M. Barnes. She has not been to Congo, but got her descriptions, etc., from members of our mission and the M. E. C. M. It isn't supposed to be true but is rather interesting. I want us to read it together when I am at home. There are some mistakes naturally. I think I will write and have a copy sent to you. Don't read it until I come. "The Lost Treasure of Umdilla" is the name of it.

The Morrisons are going to our new lake near Kampungi tomorrow for a two weeks vacation. Hobsons will be off the road until Mr. Martin comes back.

I can't think of any news and it's most time to mail this. How I would love to be coming in the place of this, but it's much better to come in a year with a clear conscience.

Love to all,

Dot

Congo (156) Luebo, Congo 2/16/1927 [BMS]

Feb. 16, 1927

Dear Folks:

There is no special significance in the color of this ribbon I am using [red] except that the blue is very faint and this is so much plainer.

The plane came in this afternoon and brought us one good long letter from you. About every third mail, so Dorothy figures, we get only one letter 'from you, due to the fact that the previous letter was just in time to catch the other boat, and the following letter just too late for this one. Then we will probably get three letters in the next mail. We know just what day to look for the mail now--every eighteen days, regularly.

Everything is moving along quite smoothly with us. All in good health, especially the important branch of the family -Maximum. He just has a good time most of the time. We went on a picnic Saturday, and went in Mr. Longenecker's truck; coming back I drove and Dot and Max sat on the front seat with me. Tonight at supper Max had an old tricycle, and had turned it over and was using one of the wheels for a steering wheel, and now and then, he would reach under the wheel to manipulate the spark and gas levers. I am going to use Stegall's old Excelsior motorcycle while he is on furlough, and have been riding it some lately; of course Max is very much excited over this. It will be a help to me also, in getting out.

When Mr. Priest left here I gave him my good watch to leave in Belgium, with our agents there, to be repaired and sent out. But I understand he did not have time to attend to this, as he had only a day or two in Belgium. Not having heard anything from him about this watch, I am writing him in this mail and asking him to send it to you in case he still has it. So if it comes to you will ask that you just keep it for me, for I doubt if it is worth sending out here again; I've had so much trouble with it.

Our garden has been suffering for rain, as this is supposed to be the rainy season, but yesterday and today are the first real good rains we have had in about a month. Things will now pick up in that line. Dorothy has done real well with her garden this year.

Our pigeons are also doing well, and we are beginning to enjoy squabs quite frequently. We both enjoy watching them and get quite a bit of pleasure from handling them. We now have about 35 pairs that are at work. It has taken us some time to get to the present place, as we have had several severe setbacks, but they look very promising just now.

Did we tell you that Gus, that's Ida's son who lost their little girl Xmas before last, have a new daughter, born in November.

Trust this finds all of you well, and with love to all.

As ever,

B.M.

Congo (155) Luebo, Congo [BMS]

Luebo, Dec. 12, 1926

Dear Mother & Daddy:

Here we are back at Luebo. While we enjoyed our vacation and we believe all of us profited by it, still it feels good to be back at home again. Especially after having to stop and pack up again so much on our way back from the Lake. As I don't know what Dorothy has written, or will write in this letter, we may duplicate our remarks. But she is at church just now, and the "Lapsley" leaves tomorrow morning, so we must get our letter ready today.

Will try to give you some idea of our trip. We got the use of the Station (Ford) truck, which is being used by Stegall, and packed all our belongings in that. It has a rain-proof top, with curtains for the sides, so we were prepared for rain. We left here on Monday, Nov. 15th, and traveled that day about 120 miles, and stopped for the night in a native village; we left there early the next morning and reached Lubondai, our newest station, at 11 :15 A. M. It was our intention to go by Mutoto instead of Lubondai, but as one of the bridges was in bad shape we thought it best to go around. Then we had not planned to go by Lubondai, but a ferry on the Lulua river was reported to be in bad shape, so we went around by Lubondai, which is somewhere between 80 and 90 miles farther than the other way. However, we enjoyed our stop at Lubondai, where we spent the remainder of that day, and left again the next morning about 6:30. That morning we traveled till 11 :15, and stopped to feed Mrs. Shive's baby and discovered that we had lost our suitcase, containing nearly all the baby's clothes. Of course, this upset us considerably, and naturally Dorothy was very much worried. We turned and went back for about 12 or 15 miles, hoping we had just lost it. However, as our gas supply was limited for our return to Luebo, we decided to go on to the Lake, and send back word to Lubondai station and ask them to send out messengers to look for it. We fortunately met a Mutoto messenger on his way to Lubondai. So we went on to the Lake that day, reaching there about 7:30 P. M. The Smiths, who were to join us at the Lake had just reached there that afternoon. We would have arrived about 4:00 P. M. if we had not lost the time looking for the suitcase. But before I go further, I'll tell you the remainder of the story about the suitcase. While at the Lake we had word from Lubondai that they had sent out messengers all along the road we had traveled but had found no trace of the suitcase. Of course that made things look blue. Dorothy Anderson, though, sent Dorothy quite a number of clothes that just fit Max, so that helped considerably. We had faint hopes of finding the suitcase on our way back, so when we reached the place about where we thought we had lost it, we began to make inquiries; so after a bit we saw a white man, who is working a gang on the railroad being built through here, and he informed me that the State Officer about 36 miles away, and on our road to Lubondai, had sent a notice out stating that he had found a suitcase. So we followed this up, and found the State Officer, who duly turned the suitcase over to us, and with every article intact. We had lost it about 23 miles from Lubondai. You may know there was rejoicing in the family when we got the suitcase. And so it happened that we returned with all our possessions!! This event, though, almost made us feel like giving up our vacation,but of course, we became reconciled to it, for a great deal worse could happen than the loss of a few possessions.

We found the lake a splendid place, and had a fine time, including Max. It is one of the best bathing places I have ever been in. The water is very clear, and always remains at an even temperature, which makes it fine for a swim before breakfast; it has a sandy bottom. They have a boat, with an "Evinrude" attached, so we had lots of boat riding. There are lots of wild ducks and we had ducks to eat nearly every day. Shive and I each killed a large antelope, which has fine meat. The Lake itself is a beautiful sight; it is about 2 miles long, and a mile wide on the ends and about 2 miles in the middle; they have sounded it and found it about 140 feet deep in the middle, and 100 feet deep in most places. The shape is somewhat like two "y'"s joined end to end. There are very few trees as it is out in the middle of a great plain. It is surrounded by a high, but sloping ridge of hills, and on some of these hills you get magnificent views of both the lake and the surrounding country. There are no native villages close, as they have had superstitious legends about the water swallowing a village, and have always been afraid to build near it.

We left the Lake on Thursday, Dec. 2nd, taking the Smith family (Mr. & Mrs., Ruth, age 4 years, and the baby), with us to Lubondai. We reached Lubondai that evening about 6:30 (but don't forget that we found our suitcase just about an hour before reaching Lubondai!!) quite happy. We stayed at Lubondai until Tuesday morning, and had a most enjoyable visit with our Lubondai brethren (and sisters). We had planned to leave Monday morning but they persuaded us to stay until Tuesday, which proved to be better, for we had expected to spend a night on the road and reach Luebo the following day, as Monday is a hard day to get away early. But instead, we got an early start Tuesday and reached Luebo about 6:00 P.M. that day. The Lubondai missionaries are: Mr. & Mrs. Cleveland & family; Dr. & Mrs. Cousar, Mr. & Mrs. W. J. Anderson (Dorothy Anderson), Mr. McKinnon, and Miss Uston (nurse, and I believe has a little place on that family tree of yours, or some of her relatives; she is a relative of our first missionary, Samuel Lapsley). They have a beautiful site for a station, in a densely populated territory, and the best soil for farming of any of our stations.

We found our house and belongings in fair shape. Our pigeons, naturally, not prospering greatly as we had a native to look after and feed them, but they are in good shape and all here, and we have already begun to get them straightened out, and hope to have plenty of squabs soon. We were eating them right along before we left. We get a great deal of pleasure from them, as well as profit.

Have never told you much about Mission Meeting. The most important change, as far as we are concerned, is that the Printing Office was turned over to Mr. Longenecker, editor of our native paper, the Lumu lua Bena Kasai, in order that he might give his whole time to that work; he made a study of photo engraving while at home, and expects to print lots of pictures in the native paper. He had no special work when he came back, for he was at Bibanga his last term and did not go back there, so this job fits him very well as he can give his whole time to it, and which needs a missionary's whole time. And you may be surprised to know that I am to take over the day school here at Luebo the first of the year. We are hoping to get out an educational man this coming year, a Mr. Gordon, who is ready and anxious to come. But in the meantime, I will have the school, as well as the work of Station Treasurer.

The "Lapsley" is leaving tomorrow morning, and the following are going down with it, for furlough: Mr. & Mrs. Savels, and Miss Headen, from Luebo; Mrs. Bedinger and child, as her mother is not well and who is also keeping two of Mrs. Bedinger's children at home.

I suspect you are going to be without mail from us for over a month. We failed to get a letter off before we left, on the plane that left just at that time; then we did not get a letter in on the plane that left while we were at the Lake, or rather, that left just as we got back; we had thought we would be back in time to get mail off on this last plane. We are certainly sorry for this as we don't like to miss any mail in getting a letter off to you. And especially, too, since we got such a good mail on both these last planes.

It's about time for dinner, and we have the Bedingers with us. Mr. Bedinger came to Luebo to see Mrs. Bedinger off. He is staying out here for a year or two. Mrs. Smith came to Luebo in the truck with us, and she and Mr. Bedinger will go back to Mutoto this coming week.

Trust this finds you both well, and with lots of love.

B.M.

Congo (154) Luebo, Congo 10/9/1926 [DCS]

Luebo

Oct. 9, 1926

Dear homefolks:

The Air Mail and your August 25th letter has just come. I am sorry there was such a long time between letters, but I guess that was because the plane did not come. I write you more regularly than I ever have in Congo, I think, and I am more happy than I have ever been out here also. I am raising a garden and have fine prospects so far. I don't remember if I told you what I had or not, if so I'll tell you over cause that's the most interesting thing in my life just now, unless it is making suits for Max.

As you know I suppose this is my first real garden and it has been so grand to watch the seed peep out of the ground and then grow. They tell me the insects will discourage me later, however that may be, I am enjoying them now. As I told you before, we start all the rather delicate vegetables in raised beds until they get strong enough to transplant, of which I have two large ones. One is about 4 by 8 ft, the other 3 by 6 and the rows are made the narrow way of the beds. In the large bed I have 2 rows of mustard just up, 1 row tomatoes, some have been transplanted, 1 row sweet bell peppers. I have learned to like them so much and they are also good in salads, 1 row eggplant, 2 rows mustard from which I get greens every few days, 1 row cabbage, 1 row red bell peppers, 1 row lettuce. This bed was started over a month ago and egg plants and cabbage have nearly all been transplanted to the garden. In my other bed are things planted later in order to keep things going and are duplicates mostly--with the exception of turnip greens and celery. I have between 75 and 100 cabbage plants that I hope to share with others on the station. In the garden besides the things I have mentioned, I have spinach, cucumbers, onions, okra, butter beans, & a brown bean (good in chili), black eyed peas (I planted these in order to get them green. I can't get them from the natives thus), and a very large red sweet potato. I got the start from Lubondai. There is a place we are cultivating behind our house where we have planted peas, corn, sunflowers, and a kind of native pea which are especially good for the pigeons. I do hope we can get some good out of our garden for I crave vegetables and we have had practically none except of course what we buy from the natives.

Our pigeons are doing well again and we are eating them right along. We serve them barbecued most and company seems to enjoy them. Won't you-please send me your old recipe for gingerbread and potato pie. I have been trying both these lately, but I just can't make them good like you used to.

Going on to sewing, I have made Max 7 pr. trousers and 5 waists in the past week. Don't you think I am smart? They are just real pretty, too. Do you remember the blue voile waist I had that Georgia gave me? I took that and made a beautiful little waist for Max. Now I hope you won't be angry with me and please don't tell Nettie, but I made Max a suit out of that wash silk you sent me. It was just too small across the shoulders for me and made Max such a pretty suit. It was a beautiful dress, well made, and I liked it, but that's the big disadvantage of sending dresses to me. I am surprised as many fit as do. I am just the same size now as ever. Weighed 91 1/2 yesterday and that's a good weight for me. I have a real good appetite generally.

Max is getting along real well with his whooping cough. He has lost three meals, I believe, and has had it about six weeks. He always coughs worse when it's rainy and damp. I think he must have a very light case. Is it your idea that whooping cough can't be had again even if it's a light case?

B.M. is to go to Bulape to Mission Meeting next week. I had hoped to go, too, for I certainly hate to stay alone, but as Max has whooping cough, I can't go of course. He will be gone 2 weeks and Rowena and Kemp will be on the road. I guess I'll live through it though. Jean has asked me to come up there and stay, but I think I'll stay at home to take care of things and then it's best for Max to be at home.

Later. I left Max with Rowena and went with B.M. to the village where he preaches on Sunday about 4 1/2 miles away yesterday and certainly did enjoy it. I may have told you that I sold my wheel. The man paid down part of the money, then came back and got it because he could not get the rest. He was a great big man and should not have had a ladies wheel anyway. Perhaps I'll sell it later. After a good trip like yesterday, I hate to sell, but it's so seldom I do go I hate to let it run down between times.

I was so glad to get the picture of Daddy and the Southern girls. It's good to get pictures of you folks from time to time. Isn't that little Kodak of mine still working? You could get a roll of films once in a while. It does us so much good. We have been intending to take more pictures, too, but never get it done.

I gave Sankie my Uke and am teaching her some of my old songs. I had ordered some new strings and they came last week--made me wish I had it back, but I hardly ever picked it up but what I thought of the night at our "singing" when I couldn't sing a thing and didn't even get it strung properly.

I am going to close now. B.M. isn't going to get your cheque off to you again this time. I do hope you are not needing it. I hope also you and Aunt Nennie are going to keep well this school term. Now since I have no baby to keep you awake, I should certainly love to be there.

Lovingly,

Dorothy