Children
Healdsburg, California
April 10, 1882
Portions of this letter are published in 3Bio 195.
Dear Children:
Yesterday, I took the children to school. Went to see Brother Harmon. Roberts went with me. We wanted to find hay. While waiting for Brother Harmon, Brother Roberts and I went into the Italian garden, one mile from Brother Roberts’ [place], and dug up more strawberry plants. I found a large quantity of little beets; brought some home to transplant. Found many spinach plants which we will transplant. 3LtMs, Lt 8, 1882, par. 1
We came back to dinner at Brother Harmon’s and then took his wagon and brought up the one bed set and the glass cans from Brother Young’s. This kept us until nearly four o’clock. We then went to the schoolhouse for the girls. They told us Mary Chinnock had come. I hastened to Brother Mills’ for her. Left Roberts to bring the girls. She came all safe. Seems to be feeling quite well and [is] pleased to be home again. 3LtMs, Lt 8, 1882, par. 2
Brother Ballou prepared ground for the plants, and I have now all the strawberry bed I care for. I helped Roberts last Tuesday plant parsnips, cabbage seed, carrot seed and beet seed. We shall have a garden if the Lord favors us. 3LtMs, Lt 8, 1882, par. 3
Brother Ballou is having a little backset—something like ague. 3LtMs, Lt 8, 1882, par. 4
I wish to get a bathtub for my room so that we may bathe when we please. I want you to send up a tub, unless you see on the envelope enclosing this letter [the words], “No, do not send.” If I can find one in town, I will do so. 3LtMs, Lt 8, 1882, par. 5
My health is good. I have some trouble in sleeping all I want to. I exercise considerably, picking up wood, and if it were not for weak ankles, [I] would exercise more. I put rubber bandages on my ankles, and this helps them. I feel, then, [that] I can walk anywhere. 3LtMs, Lt 8, 1882, par. 6
Be assured we shall be rejoiced to see you any time up here, and I know we can make you comfortable and happy. I want the whole of you. If I cannot have Willie, then I will accept the rest. I can find copying aplenty for Mary and we will be glad to set her at this work. I think you should bring the baby’s cab, and we can then have the little one take exercise in the garden or yard. 3LtMs, Lt 8, 1882, par. 7
My calf is killed. I gave Brother Mills some and carried a forequarter to Brother Harmon. Shall take nothing for it, for in this way I can make some returns for their favors to me. The calf was almost a beef. The cow gives a good mess of milk, but not as rich as I hoped. That large tin pail is nearly full. Had I ought to charge Roberts with milk? 3LtMs, Lt 8, 1882, par. 8
I received a letter from Brother Atwood which I will enclose in this. I shall write to him to get his cow at once—the very best he can find. 3LtMs, Lt 8, 1882, par. 9
Can’t find Atwood’s letter. This must go. 3LtMs, Lt 8, 1882, par. 10
Mother.