Dear Daddy – The Farm Letters

My dear John,

Well John I got your letter asking for the things to make a sling shot and I will try and send them with the next box. Did you like the surprize in the last box I sent? Be careful and not lose it.

I am getting to be a pretty good pancake baker. I mix the flour, salt and soda at night and then in the morning all I have to do is put in the sour milk and egg and the pancake griddle I have on the stove. Tell Mamma I use the putty knife as a pancake turner along with it’s other uses. I made some apple sauce today and it tasted real good. For dinner I had boiled potatoes, boiled eggs bread and butter and lots of apple sauce.

I was the first one on the chiseler’s list [men who went to the station hoping to find a little extra work] this morning and I was at the barn at 4:50 A.M. and I got a day run out of it and I am marked up for a day run tomorrow. I have had 3 runs in 4 days and the other day I got in 6 hours so this week has been good on account of the State Fair.

Say John I pretty near got you a pup today it was a little brown and white one with the big ears. I don’t know whether it was a setter or a spaniel but it was awfully pretty. One of the streetcar men had two of the pups down at the car barn and they both wet on the floor.

You have all forgot to tell me if you get the Sunday Tribune thru the mail. You should have got it last Sunday and the Sunday before that.

I left my uniform at the tailor’s to be cleaned and I expect to get it back tomorrow. How do you like your new school? I bet it is just fine. When I come up you must take me to school with you because it has been a long time since Daddy has been in a country school. What is your teacher’s name?

Well Johnny I have been up since 4 0′ clock this morning and it’s nearly 9 now so will close. Tell Mamma and Ruth I will write to them later.

Love to you all from Daddy

By dear Johnny boy,

I wish I could give you a big bear hug and lots of kisses, but will have to wait awhile. Grandpa and Grandma asked me how big you are and were sorry they could not see you. Grandpa gave us his tire pump and chains. The pump has two cylinders and works real fast and we can use the tire chains when we have to run the car in the mud. Oh say John I saw old Tim and he is fat and nice but they don’t keep his foretop trimmed so he looks as if he needed a hair cut.

Well John I cannot think of any more news so goodby,

With love from Daddy

Write soon.

Dear John

I got your nice letter and map. Hope you can see one of those little deer some day so you can write to me about it. I am glad that you help Mother saw wood for that is a big help. I bet you keep the wood box filled. Has the old cat caught any more rabbits? I wish she would only catch the mice, they ought to taste just as good. I have had 2 letters from you, one yesterday and one today. I mowed the lawn yesterday. My but it was long. I have sent your book so I suppose you will spend quite a lot of time reading until you get it read through. I am going to clean up down in the basement today. I will have to wash clothes again soon.

I still have some of the water from your well. I had a drink of it yesterday. Well I must close now.

With love from Daddy.