Dec. 30, 1889
Dear Ones at Home,
We were all pleased to have such long letters from you
all. (My pen is horrid so I think I best
take a pencil). We generally get the
letters at noon and then as soon as I finish my dinner I read them to the
others while they finish, so you see we all take them in at once.
Glad to get such a good letter from Minnie. We have been wondering why we did not hear
from her again but supposed she was busy and so excused her. Ann, so sorry about your mama not staying
with you. It must have been a
disappointment to you and your mother too.
But never mind, sister Minnie, maybe there will be another pleasant day
soon when she can come.
Hope you all had a
Merry Christmas & will have a Happy New Year. Write and tell us all you did and about the
Christmas arch and of the S.S. [Sunday School]
Did you all go to Mattie & Robbie’s or did they come over to Fairy
Glen? Also tell us, Minnie, how the
milling workers succeeded and how your flowers sold. I know they were pretty. Would have liked a bite (& a big one
too) out of those chicken pies made by mother & sisters. Have not had a chicken pie for ever & ever
so long. Ann, glad you take a delight in
meeting with the W W. Minnie, know it
will be good for you if you do not try to work too hard. It must have been nice to make a little visit
home again, but think mama was a little lonesome while you were away. We all feel so much better about mama being
there when we know sister Minnie is with her.
Now, Frank, see that you take care of such a good little woman for you
won’t find her equal the second time.
We’re glad to hear about that molasses, Frank. Hurry up and send it along, for we eat
molasses like little pigs – takes lots to keep us sweet down here you
know. And in those barrels of millet
can you put in a few sun flower seeds (Yes, indeed, if plenty please send the
beans.) I’m going to raise chickens you
know. And if not taking too much, can I
have a picture put in there. I do
want one so much of the farm, you know. Thank your mama for those plums. Sis, very kind of you and you don’t know how
we shall enjoy them. Guess we won’t quarrel. Howard says the first one that “jaws” or
quarrels is going to be put on a slate & have to pay the contribution for
the crowd the next Sunday. Guess it will
either fall to George or me as we are the two quarrelsome ones. Maybe we will catch some of the others though. Winfred, you don’t know how good it makes us
all feel to think you are so good to mama.
You will never be sorry for it and some day will get your reward. Write and tell me about your school. Am so sorry you cannot have the same book as
the others for I know how hard it makes it.
What boys & girls are in your class now? Do the scholars all like the Professor just
the same as ever?
Has anyone told you about our Xmas? Well, Xmas eve we went to the Xmas ball in
the hall of the S. S. [Sunday school].
Had a jolly time. Santa Claus
brought father a big silk handkerchief & a pretty card on the tree. One of the Colonists, Mr. Pirce, was Santa
Claus. He came in all dressed in fir
& he did so well. Made so much fun
for the children. Christmas day we had
Mr. & Mrs. Sharretts, their little boy Harlow, & Jack Edgell, their
clerk, to eat dinner with us. Mr.
Sharretts said a long time ago he was going to eat Christmas dinner in his new
house but he has had to wait so much for masons & door moldings, lumber,
etc., that the house was not ready, but the dining room & kitchen had been
cleaned and scrubbed & Mrs. Sharretts’ boys were going to a picnic. Howard says “why not invite them to eat dinner
in their new house”? We were all agreed
and they were so pleased when we asked them Xmas Eve. Mr.
Sharretts had been feeling blue & lonesome about eating his dinner
almost alone & in the old rented house.
We set the table in their new dining room (a lovely big room) & put
our gasoline stove in their kitchen to keep things warm on. They all seemed to enjoy it so much and
father seemed to feel so much more at home having more around. He was saying so often he wished he was home
to eat Xmas dinner but enjoyed the day better than he had thought. This was our bill of fare: oyster stew, creamed potatoes, sweet potatoes,
watermelon pickles, Fairy Glen sweet apple pickles, fried & raw oysters,
fresh rolls, coffee, mince pie, plum pudding.
I told you when Howard & I
bottled our mincemeat it kept beautifully and everyone said they were
delicious. The plum pudding Jack Edgell
brought up. He is an English young man
and his mother sent him a pudding from England.
It did not get here in time so he
had Mrs. Hill, the bakeress (and a little English woman too), make him
one. It was just splendid. First time Mr. & Mrs. Sharretts ever ate
plum pudding & they enjoyed it thoroughly.
Little Harlow says “Mama, I’m
awful glad I’ve got on my big shirt”. He
got almost too full. I made a plum
pudding as I did not know Jack was going to bring his so we will have one on
father’s birthday, which is next Sunday.
We have sent for a watch chain for him for his birthday but do not know
if it will get here in time. We wanted
it for Xmas but did not come. It is one
like that black one Arthur first had with his watch. Nothing very expensive as our pocket books
are slim, but is neat and pretty.
Forgot to tell you we had Wesie’s new dishes for Xmas
dinner. Aren’t they beauties? They
looked so nice on the table. Howard made
a little cupboard for them so she has them all stacked up in it. We don’t use them every day. My old white ones are good enough for common
days and for common folks like Howard & me.
Mother Bacon sent Howard her photo, right size to put in his locket for
Xmas & sent me such a pretty pale blue shoulder cape like yours, mama, only
light blue.
Now Mattie, let the baby run over to see mother just as
often as she wants. It cheers her up so.
She thinks that is the most wonderful boy she ever owned and I have not
a doubt but he is. He has such a
wonderfully bright mother and daddy you know.
Say, Winfred, where did you get your big sheet of paper to write
on? Write us a good long one next time,
all of you. We send this with two
packages by mail with winter garments.
I have red drawers & woolen stockings of Howard’s he does not need,
so if they will do Winfred any good he is welcome to them. Wish we could send lots of nice things. Almost too delicate for me. Then Aunt Elizabeth sent H. a necktie &
more white aprons. Also sent L. a set of
__ & a lovely head rest for rocking chair & for G, a necktie. So you see old Santa remembered as all
abundantly.
With lots of love,
Olive
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