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Old Mission, Mich.
Nov. 23rd 19-25
My Dear Miss. Taft:-
I intended to write before but have been having a jolly good time with my eyes. I put off writing because my head pained so much & last week after sending your little note I went to T.C. & had the Dr. look my eyes over he changed my glasses & said I would have to give up my sewing & fancy work for a while. My eyes looks nearly as bad as your's did during cherry time. Joseph tries to take care of them for me. I surely dreaded to part with the money this time of the year when I needed it so much. Hazel needs new glasses in about 6 weeks. So I guess my extra earnings is all spoken for long ago.
It is always a satisfaction to me after I have made an old garment over to see something useful made of it. Do you remember that gray woolen material you gave me. Well I dyed it dark blue and made Hazel a little school dress of it. There was just enough by being careful of the cloth. With her black dress made of your skirt she will get thru nicely. Would like to see how you are coming with your new dress. I can't stand to work on dark material only a little at a time. I did considerable sewing for Mrs. Doig & had to quit. It helped so much.
I never hear from Mrs. Stutsman. I hope she doesn't think that I didn't want to write to her. When I sent her freight bill I didn't have time to write a letter as Roger was in a hurry so just put it in an envelope & mailed it. Maybe it is my turn to write to her. I can't remember. Mrs. Lardie & Mrs. Mills tells her all the news so I wouldn't know what to tell her.
Joseph hauled 27 loads of gravel and could have used several more loads but had to give it up. it certainly has improved the looks of things around the barn. It has packed down a lot & by Spring will be firm & nice to drive over.
Joseph will see Ledger about hauling the straw. The horses would need new shoes & besides the roads are dreadful for horses to     go over at all. It has been so wet that they are cut up worse than ever.
Jos. has hauled some of the saw dust from the garrage at Stutsman's for bedding.
The new cows is doing nicely if we have bran & a little grain to do with we hope to keep the cows in better shape. Last winter they got into bad shape from a corn fodder diet & not much change. This fall Joseph makes bran mash with warm water & plenty salt to keep their bowels free.
I collected from Mr. Coleman for the bu. of Apples & he paid me $1.00 is that what he was supposed to pay you?
Thanks for the papers they are enjoyed so much this time of year. Both children wishes me to thank you for them and they hope some day to repay you in some little way.
Well I must not do any more of this tonight or tomorrow I will be sorry.
Hope you are well and happy and have a nice Thanksgiving dinner.
With love Essie Kitchen