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Old Mission, Mich. Feb. 2nd 19-26

My Dear Miss. Taft:-

Thanks for Joseph's check was very glad to get it. You are always so prompt.

Joseph has tested the new seed corn a short time ago & it was very good he never saves any-thing but the best for seed.

Went to T.C. yesterday & got the Alfalfa & bran. The shore road has snow enough so you can get over it fairly good most all the way. The cars are still traveling the center road.

Mr. Holmes & Pratt was over to the place & took some of the furniture out last Sat. They asked for the house keys so I gave them to them. In regards to selling property it is only the bay frontage they want & if they could have bought that from Mrs. Stutsman without the farm they would have liked it better. They are trying their best to sell the remainder of the farm. but we don't want it so guess they won't trouble us any more from now on. They bought Murray Tompkings & also Willie Gills Miss. Walker sold hers too just bay frontage. They told us that they might not be able to get a resort started there after all on account of bay shores being so poor. And the water keeps on going down. They are just taking a gamblers chance at it. We have heard considerable gossip in regards to things there If you really intend to sell your farm we will keep our eyes open for a buyer & let you know if we hear of any. But at present nothing is being bought without bay front. Well this is the day after I went to the Ladies Aid today & heard a lot of neighborhood gossip. The Ridge-wood bay front has been sold for $18.000 cash. Mrs. John Tompkins told us about it. Also Mr. Gore says he think that some of the head men of the Chicago drainage is buying this property. Who ever it is is buying shore every where they can get it. Also along lake Mich. Mr. Gore gets out a lot and hears some of the inside things This may not be of any interest to you but thot' I would mention it just the same.

The ground is bare in some places in the meadows so it will be hard on seedings again this winter. The bay hasn't frozen over so far.

Had a letter from Mrs. Stutsman telling me what I could get from the house but it is too late now as they have taken over the keys now so we can't get in. I don't think we had better take the old spray tank as it might make trouble if we tried to do that. Of course we will try if you [say so] insist on it but don't care to unless you wish it done. You know how those things go.

The fruit trees look good so far don't know how they will come thru' the Spring weather.

[?] cow hasn't been taken yet has not been in heat. Wish she would hurry up pretty soon I wish there was room inside the house to take & store all of your trunks & boxes so mice couldn't get into things. BUt guess they will be all right the shed is new, clean and dry so they oughto be all right there.

Roger has a violin & intends to begin taking lessons in about a week. He is very anxious to start. It will cost quite a little .75 a lesson but guess we can make it some way.

Oh dear I dread to think of parting with the farm too it seems like home to me now we have been here so long. But will look out for a buyer and will be sure to let you hear if we find one.

With love, Essie Kitchen

$1.70 on hand Queens shoes $1.50 $5.00 received Jos. dinner .30 ______ B. rent .25 $6.70 _____ 2.05 $2.05

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$4.65 left to your credit. Feb. 3rd 19-26.