Dear James,
Glad to get your letter. John is trying his new laces now. There is a cold south wind blowing but it is snug and warm in the house. The teacher came home with the children yesterday and stayed for supper and the evening. Then about 8 o’clock Shaws came over and stayed until 10. After they left I took the lantern and walked down to Jenson’s corner with the teacher and it was 11 before I got back home. John had gone to sleep on the couch while the company was here so I just covered him up and Ruth went to bed while I was gone and both were sound asleep.
Shaw asked about when to cut wood. He said some of the neighbors are having wood sawed the first of next month. There are deer tracks leading into our woods. I can vote up here, the law is 6 months in the state and 60 days in the county. We vote at a schoolhouse 3 miles south of here.
I hope all goes well with you. The children send their love and a big hug and kiss.
Love, Martha
(Thursday evening, Nov. 2nd)
We received your surprise package and the $5. I stayed in school with the children yesterday and we drove to Park Rapids afterwards. The road was not bad and it was real warm again today. We all got a haircut and I bought a dozen eggs, 5 cans of milk and some gas. I may not be able to send your clothes until Monday this time. It takes longer when I dry them in the house. I’d knit John a sweater if I had the yarn. Can you get me yarn like your sweater? 2