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Old Mission, Mich. Apr. 20th 1926

My Dear Miss. Taft:-

It has been real nice and warm today for a change but ice still remains solid in the bay. Isn't that the limit tho' for this time of year. Sun a few flakes of snow fell to remind us that it could still snow if it cared to.

Got good news the Kauer cow went calling on Kroupa's today and was very anxious so hope it will be all O.K.

The snow is nearly gone in the large field that you want seeded so will get busy at earliest date possible. Joe says he thinks you would get a catch of alfalfa on whole field now as there is still a little alfalfa appearing here and there.

Did you say you wanted corn 20 in apart and 2 seeds in a hill? The planter won't do it without missing a lot I didn't just understand so will have to ask in order to be sure about it.

Mrs. Ashmore is coming here this Summer but he is going to work. poor stick.

The Holmes and Pratt fellows are after the Breeden farm on account of bay front and can't get it unless they buy the whole thing. They were looking it all over Sun. If I hear any more will let you know. If this farm only had shore frontage you could sell much easier. Heard the Charlie Stanek place was sold Joe Stanek sold got $4,000 down he had a nice shore line Also good golf ground. We hear so many things & never feel quite safe to repeat as Mr. Pratt will say most any thing he can think of.

How about that part of old alfalfa field that was seeded and failed to come up Will Jos. reseed when he doe's the other.

The children received the papers and thanks so much they are both very busy looking them over and also quiet. They came in tonights mail so suppose I will have to show them the razor strap before I can get them to start for bed.

You mentioned something in one of your letters about selling those two chairs. I can't just remember the price but if I can afford them would like to buy them as I haven't any rocker that is comfortable to sit in. I don't have very much money of my own now days as Roger's music lessons take most of my own savings Now his violin needs repairs that will cost around $10.00 I paid $15 for it and it is a very old one around 100 yrs old so the glue has let loose in several places and needs other parts fixed up. It sound very nice and the older they are the more they are worth so most people thinks he has something rare and hard to find. I got it of a very elderly gentleman in Wis.

The neighbors had a suprise party on me Sat eve My birthday was Sun so they took me by surprise I had a headache & went to bed early but Jos. was up playing cards. So they caught me in bed. I felt ashamed to be in bed early but had been sick nearly all day. They had to walk from the road down here wouldn't get in with a car. A violinist came out from town with one car load & the ladies furnished a lovely lunch. About 25 in all besides ourselves. Got some very nice presents.

Hazel hasn't had mumps yet & it has been nearly 3 weeks since Roger came down with them. She is cross tonight so wouldn't be surpised if she was fat tomorrow.

There is a lot of flu around here hope we escape it.

Will see Ledger about hauling rest of hay but it will be some time before a car can get down in here.

If we go to town this week will try & see Mr. Moe as we need water badly. If Jos. turns the cows down to the woods to water they don't want to come back & we don't want to let them out yet. He has carried the water to them so far but won't have much time from now on. With love Essie

Wed morning - I forgot to mention several things in the letter I wrote last night. Jos. may catch a ride in town tomorrow and see Mr. Moe now with Spring hustle he can't be delayed with water carrying. He thinks it is only the check that has gone wrong & not more drilling will be necessary. If he has to stay over night could I use your bed? I will be careful with it and put it back in good condition. Would you care to sell one of those old screens I would get new material for them. And how much would you ask for one? At times when we have to have extra help and they sleep in Roger's room I like to have something to protect him from others. He doesn't care to dress in the presence of strangers and I am very glad that he has a little modesty.

Hazel has mumps this morning she got two spankings from the teacher yesterday so I thot' something must be very wrong for that seldom happens to her as she is always happy.

And thanks again for those papers they will help me to get thru the next few days as well as her for she is always very busy and keeps every one around her the same way.

Haven't had one Spring rain yet wish we would before long to help draw out the frost.

Cherry trees are full of buds and look grand. Joseph trimmed all dead wood out of trees and they look lots better. I was up there Mon.

Must hurry Lovingly Essie.