Dear James,
Your letter came Saturday and we were so glad to get it. First of all we’ll tell you that Mitzi is better but can only hobble on three legs and is in much pain when she moves. I sat out in the yard reading all afternoon Sun., and she lay at my feet. We gave her 2 doses of castor oil, one Sat. night and one Sun. morning and she had 4 good movements and felt much better afterwards. I remembered what you said when she was hurt before and watched out for that in particular. Her leg isn’t broken but is badly bruised and one hip and side, although no skin was broken. I hope it cures her of chasing cars.
I bought a crate of peaches Sat. and shall can them today. They cost a dollar and aren’t extra good but I decided not to wait. I also bought some sugar and a piece of bacon and some cloth for petticoats for Ruth so I have just a dollar bill left but that will do until payday.
Most of the threshing is done and they are cutting corn. If it rains some more and the millet gets it’s growth we’ll have as good a crop as anybody around here, and I think you can sell it for a good price.
I need some cloth to make bloomers for Ruth. I’d like sateen in a flesh or tea rose color, about 5 yards. You may be able to get it for 20 cents a yard. John would like to make a pushmobile. He wants to know if he can use the wagon wheels, and they need nails and John would like a yard of canvas. He’d pay for it himself. Will you get me another paring knife? John lost mine and gave me a dime to buy another but I couldn’t get a good one for that.
I made 2 pints of the rhubarb conserve. It is pretty rich but will taste good “when the snow flies”. Let us know how and when you are coming. Could we meet you at Wadena and do some trading there? The road from there to P.R. is very good. I must get at the canning.
Lots of love until we see you, Martha and the children.