North Topeka Kans

Dec 25 1893

 

Dearest Ira,

                        I feel like writing a love letter to you more than any thing else, but I'll try to keep in bounds we received the box saterday at 4³⁰ I won & of course the girls ruled so we opened it & enjoyed it hugely. why it was a whole dry goods store to us. we dident expect any thing like that, but am glad you showed so much good sense the girls were just delighted. You couldent have pleased them better for they have allways wanted gossamers, & the handkerchiefs are just lovely. Mine is too nice to use. Yes the stockings I needed badly. I put a pair on yesterday morning & I realize the good warmth & comfort / of them. We just received your letter Now let me tell you about the ball I guess you will laugh when we opened the box Brownie spied the ball & grabed it. She said, that is just what every girl in school has a ball but me, & so she just enjoyed it over sunday in blissful ignorance that it was sent to Attly. So this morning she nearly cried when we read your letter. I told her I guess you wouldent care if she kept it for I had given her & Ina each 50^cts for Christmas money & she got Attly a nice plate cup & saucer for 10^cts & we gave him one of the oranges & I gave Sister Olmstead the largest one & told her you sent it. some how I felt you intended one for her. so you see I just hit it. I have given her $5 of the six you sent that squares us up to the 1^st of this month 

 

We will have chicken [paper torn away]

onions & a custard [paper torn away]

Jud told me where [paper torn away]

&c". Mr Obata is out on a lecture tour he got $9 ^nine at one place. When he was going to start up here saterday he said his hat was in holes & looked awful shabby, but he had not the money to spare for a new one. Mr Barkers folks went & bought him one as a Christmas present. So you see he will get out I guess. This is a lively day it dont seem like Christmas time but it is a providence to the poor. the poor Santa fee people did not get their pay last week & I guess there were many poor children deprived of a Christmas gift. the employees here in shop just raised Cain but it dident do any good. they had to wait for their money. the RR has gone in to the hands of a reciever. So you see we are very fortunate compared to others 

 

[paper torn away] with our presents

[paper torn away] we expected to get

[paper torn away] we opend the box)

[paper torn away] mean & cheap when

[paper torn away] what you sent, to think we sent you so little but never mind Ira "every dog has his day" & you will have yours yet. I am proud of my boy & a boy that shows the good sound sense that you do & sticks to duty will yet prosper

 

            I expect this to be my last day at home for a while as that ladys time is up & I hope to get a call between now & morning

 

            Brownie will write you later in the week.

 

            I expect to go to church this afternoon. I hope you are haveing a pleasant time to day & as lovely weather as we have.

 

thanking you a thousand times for all. with love & a kiss                 Mother

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