To Bertha from Cora Hendricks – September 24, 1920
[Note: Bertha has left art school to work as a teacher in Elks, Nevada]
Miss Bertha Ballou
Elks, Nevada
Fort Logan, Colorado
Dear Bertha,
I am missing you very much in my efforts to get this place in order.
I have been very much interested in your letters to Papa, and am so very glad that the place is not altogether lacking in attraction. Are you getting accustomed to your school work? I really do feel sorry for you, if you have to keep such a lot of bags in order every afternoon. Don’t they all have anything to do? Or is it supposed to be a study hour?
I am beginning to find myself to some extent. Have the parlor really quite settled, although I dare say we will do a lot of rearranging from time to time. Just now the only thing I do not like in it is the big Philippine table which Papa had installed in the center of the room and is unwilling to change. It is not bad, only too big.
The weather has been perfectly fine, only very windy yesterday and today. Hess is very good, wants to work more than I want him to, really. The Stories left this morning for Omaha, and the Herrens are looking.
I spent a great part of yesterday unpacking some clothing and pressing some few thing. Of course, everything needs pressing, and I will have to take another turn very soon. I do not think there is any news to tell you, Papa will have written you of conditions in town. I am so glad he was able to come back to the post for most of the time. This is Aunt Bertha’s birthday and I must write a little to her. I have not written at all since I left there.
Don’t fret about not earning your pay. I’ll guarantee you are doing it better than four fifths of the wage earners.
With love,
Mother