North Topeka, Kans

Dec. 25. 1893.

 

Mr. Ira D. Colburn:

           

My Dearest Brother:

                        A Merry Christmas to you! It is so beautiful this morning, that it does not seem like Christmas; but seems more like a spring morning. How we all wish you might be here this morning, and I know you wish it too. But surely next Christmas we will be together.

 

            We are all well, but myself, and enjoying our selves as much as it is possible for us to; I haven't been feeling well for some time, but I guess it will pass off again. It is my stomach more than anything else. Yesterday I could not bear a thing on it, but managed to eat some breakfast this morning. I / wonder what you are doing this morning. Mamma is making some dressing for a chicken, Brownie and Attley are out playing ball, and I am in the sitting room writing.

 

Well, I think it is about time I was telling you what I got for Christmas. The two handkerchiefs and gossamers from you, and, by the way the gossamers are just the right size, every way, then Brownie gave me a little silk handkerchief, and Mrs. Olmstead gave me an linen embroided one, Mamma gave me a box of wool to knit a fascinator, & a crochet hook, and last of all Win Fuller gave me the loveliest gold pen I have ever seen. The handle is of knotted pearl, and the gold part is 14k. I am writing with it now, the first I have used it. Oh, I forgot that Winifred sent me her picture, & subscribed for "The Ladies Home Journal" for me. So you see I have fared quite well. I will not tell you what Brownie received, but will let her do it. /

 

I haven't seen Winni for some time and haven't been over there since the first week [paper fold] in school that I don't have time to go any where. Neve E Naylor (nee Eddy) was over last evening about 5:30, and wanted me to come come over some evening this week and stay all night. I don't know yet whether I shall go or not.

 

Well! Ahem! I have quite a compliment for you. I was told by a prominent Drs. daughter here in North T. that "Miss Edna Parkhurst" the great singer, wanted her (the Drs. daughter) to bring her up when you come home, and so that she might make your acquaintance. I am a very intimate friend of the Drs. daughter and she will soon be eighteen, and she is an intimate / friend of Miss Edna Parkhurst. Miss P. is about nineteen, I should think, and is very handsome, and very very [?]. Would weigh about 250 I should think. She is one of the great singers of T. and leads the singing over the river in the First Presbyterian Church. She has dark wavy hair, blue eyes, and is about two inches taller than I. Now then, I hope my description has made a favorable impression, and that things will work out all right. She told the Drs. daughter the reason she wanted to get acquainted with you was "you was (looked) so sensible, and good, and was so handsome." Now I have just given you her words. Please don't think I am fooling, for I am not.

 

Our school is going to have a contest, and I am in it. You know there are two societies in our room and so one orator, one debator, one essayest, and three for recitations, were chosen from each society. The contest will be the last Friday in Jan. I am one on for speaking I think our society [paper fold] will win. My grades in speaking have been 93, 94 and 95 (an honor), so I think if I practise I can make a pretty good grade. The contest closes this term, and the 2^ond term closes the 2^nd of June. The contest the 2^ond of June will be held in the Babtist church, but the last Fri. in Jan. will be held in the school house.

 

In book keeping I am getting along finely I think, but I have to study pretty hard in Algebra.

 

Mr. Obata was here Sat. night, and Sun. morning he preached at Oakland and last night he lectured at the Methodist. Today he is north of town with Mrs. Odell's, but he will be here / again sometime this week.

 

Libbie and Mr. Neiswinder were in Sat. night to the Xmas tree. She is the same old Lib. Perhaps I'll have something to tell you in about three weeks.

I am going out there some Sun. [paper fold]

 

Yesterday afternoon Win and I went riding; it was too pretty to stay indoors. We went out north quite a distance, and had a very pleasant ride. Yesterday people were at church with out any wraps on so you may know how warm it has been.

 

Does Joe ever say anything about me? I guess he didn't care very much if I did stop writing to him. How is [faded]? I believe I ask you that in my other letter, that you haven't answered. I don't think it would do for me to write two letters to your one very much; I don't think like to do it. But as this is an extra occasion, 

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