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Old Mission Mich Mar 4, 1921

My Dear Miss Taft

We recieved your letter the first and have intended to answer before this but have not been feling very well so neglected doeing so. Of course I do not know what plans you & Joseph made for he forgets to always tell me exactly what you say But we have had two good offers in the past week one for $60.00 and the other for $70.00 besides our meat but they are not person's that we care very much about. We have the cows to bring in a little money but butter is so cheap & it takes to much hard work to care for the butter that I think it is dearly earned in the end.

I think women understand one another much better than men do. We are four to live & save out of the months wages so you can see for yourself. Joseh thinks he is realy worth more to you than $50. dollars during the summer months. But of course you know what you can afford & what you can't. We would rather work for you than stranger's for we know how you wish to have your work did and another thing I don't think you consider us as servants. Besides we have always been honest with you. You may ask any one you may wish too & you will find that we have never sold any of your intrests without you receiving the full ammount. Please don't think we are money sharks for we are not. Just trying to live & be someone some time.

We have been having very cold weather for just a few days at a time & very little snow. The ground is frozen hard as a brick.

I tried to sew yesterday & at last I managed to make a bungalow apron. While I left it a few minutes while trying to gather my mending together Hazel got the scissors & cut holes in it so my new apron is all patches. It made me feel sick to see all my hard work lay in ruins. But that is a mother's life. I don't think she will cut another one right away for I gave her a good spanking and sent her under the bed for about an hour.

Joseh thinks I am very unjust to his little daughter. Last week while I was ill she cut one of the bedroom curtains in half. My nerves are tried to the limit.

All amimals are well. Mother pig begins to look very prosperous again. I hope she has a good litter this time.

Joseph says there is about 150 bu. of corn left and most all of the oats he had some crushed for the horses & now & then the cows get a feed of them for they are thin & need a change of food besides the horses get a great deal more good out of them by being crushed. Belle's legs are bothering her some & that keeps her down a little but she looks fairly good.

It is time for Rager to leave for school & I want him to mail this so you get it this week. Please excuse poor writing for I am nervous again this morning.

With love Essie Kitchen

P.S. Plase answer soon Joseph will inquire about hogs eithr tomorrow or the lst of next week & try to find sale for bates