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Old Mission, Mich.

Oct. 11th 1932

My dear Miss Taft:

Your letter came today so will hasten to reply as I know how very anxious you must feel.

I'm not at all surprised at Clayton Lardie because he isn't fair with any of us. Last Tuesday Jos. was called to Traverse City as a witness for Jim Griffin as you know Jim got $200 from Lardies on his cherries last Summer and this year after Clayton told him he would take it out of the 1932 crop Jim sold to M.C.G. So Clayton sued him and had Jim figured up for $218 as they had charged him interest on the $200. Finally the jury decided on the case & Jim has to pay just $100 instead of $218 Mr. Foot one of the Jurymen stuck for Lardie or Jim would have had clear sailing. Clayton has lost lots of friends and also some of his best customers this last year. We got $50 from him at the time we drew our [$].02 because we felt sure we had it coming as he paid us [$].03 cash for the few red Jackets we sold to them. But just got the [$].02 on our lovely sweets and sour cherries. I certainly would write them a good stiff letter and not be in any hgurry to give your money away. And tell him how about Homer Willobee and Harry Christopher that got [$].03 or more. I'm sure your cherries were as nice as theirs. Just be thankful you have a job that pays well. I feel sorry for these poor farmers who have had hail & wind storms some years a freeze and now this mess. With nothing to help them selves you can't sell any.thing to help out. During the trial Jims lawyer asked Clayton how about the others that had advanced money and Claton said he had settled with them so you can see by that what kind of a fellow he is. I nearly forgot about this but Jos. is sitting here and wanted me to be sure and mention this part of it. Why didn't they talk to you while you was here?

Miss Taft I have watched and waited for a few words from. you every since you left am glad the weather is cooler as you can work in comfort.

I canned 60 cans of corn and 12 qts. of sweet pickles for one resorter and along with the many extra things of my own I've been very busy. I'm so glad I had extra work this summer as it has helped us so much to keep all ends up. have did some sewing but have lots more to do yet. I baked 250 biscuits for the Old Mission Supper and 310 for the Supper at our own church since you left. I'm all feed up on that for a while the next time they ask I'll suggest some one else try the fine job.

Jos. had 165 bu. of corn this Fall from our field so feel most thankful for that most everyone has nice crops and got 8 cuttings of Alfalfa and still have green meadows. Even tho' some things look bad. The Lord has blessed us with lots of good food for winter.

I'll be anxious to hear from you to know what you are going to do but please don't be too hasty they will be more afraid of you than Jim because they knew he was having a hard battle to get on.

Hope you keep well and if I hear any thing deffinate will write you at once.

With love Essie

{Please write some times won't you.}

Below was on the envelope, which had been decorated with beautiful crayon designs...

To Ed

From Hazel, or you know me better by the name of Billy.

Well solong

It was raining like well, well the other night.

But it quit.