Transcription of 2004.035.

002 Doc-031
Transcribed with assistance from FromThePage.com user redsbury
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Hazel Dell, Beulah Lake, Wis.
8-13-93

My dearly loved Mother,

This is
Sabbath morn. the clock has just struck
six. I have been awake more than an
hour, so decided to get up and im-
prove the time by writing to you. I'll
pick up my thread where I dropped
it Friday morn. I went down town,
got to the store about 12 o'clk, Geo.
said you are just in time, to go out
to lunch with me; so I went, though
I'd taken lunch before leaving home.
I wanted to see the place where he
had been refreshed for five years.
He told the elevator con. "25th floor"
but when we reached the 9th the con.
called "25th" and we disembarked

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'Tis a lovely place, beautiful service

and fine lake view extending to
Exp'n grounds when clear, but
then 'twas cloudy, had quite a show-
er that morn. Was introduced to Mrs.
Griffin whom Lily also met, and chatted
gaily for an hour. Then went to Walker's
store where the crowd was kept back by
policemen, stood on the jam 15 min.
so did not have much time to "look
around", but bought some h'd'k'fs
ribbon and a blk. serge dress, good
quality, 45 in. @ 75 ct. Don't know whether
it was a bargain or not as I hadn't
time to examine much; was to report
at store at 1:45. Found Geo. in a
rush signing letters written by stenog-
raphers and giving orders here and
there. Presently in came Mrs. Miller
Sister's sewing woman who had been
invited out here for a week's rest.
Caught the tram just in time, and

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were soon flying north. Reached the

station about 5 o'clk and boarded a
hack. Blanche Dickinson had come
down to meet her father. A delightful
ride over hill and dale with tranquil
lakes shimmering through the trees.
About a mile from "home" stopped at the
"Farm" and Mrs. Dickinson came out
with a girl about Estelle's size, who
turned out to be Fay, though I didn't
know her there and without her curls,
a little farther on another eager little
face was lifted to us, and that was
Hazel. Began to think I was
rapidly nearing headquarters, and
presently here we were. A loving greeting
from Sister and then the rest of the chil-
dren had their share. Now I know they
will interest you more than anything
else. Sister is as thoughtful of others
and as energetic as ever; whatever
she does is well done. Don't think she

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has changed as much as I in the

9 years of separation. May is quiet
and ladylike, her mother's girl; Fay
impulsive and vigorous, her
Father's girl. Have seen less of Gracie
indeed she seems to be rather an odd
one as Hazel and Marjorie are de-
voted to each other. They are lovely
children so bright and sweet. Frank
is quite a young gentleman and
quite proud of his coat of tan, though
I am too far behind the times to admire
it. This is certainly a beautiful place.
I am sitting in the double swing
east of the house (on the left of picture)
On my right is the lake with winding
shore and wooded heights, with bay
of water lilies near, some still in
bloom; on my left through a grove

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is Maj. Smith's cottage, all around are

a part of his 700 chickens and a
beautiful lawn and statuary, with
boat house on the lake, rustic seats
and hammock among the trees com
plete the picture. Many questions are
asked about you which it is my
pleasure to answer. As soon as we
had supper Geo. and Frank went
fishing in one boat, while Sister took
Mrs. Miller and myself rowing
in another. The sun had just set
and presently Venus glowed in the
clear west. The changing tints of sky
and water and more than all the deep
quiet made it hard to realize that
it was a part of the same world
where I had spent the previous
week. When bed time came was

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ready for it. Sister's bedroom is

on right of front and mine on the
left, all the rooms small but cosy.
You know the plan. Did not sleep
very soundly and thought much of
you. Next morn. was up and partly
dressed when Geo. called me to go a
fishing. Fay rowed, Geo. cast for
bass using a whole frog for bait,
and I trolled and caught the first
fish. Presently Geo. began to reel in
his line in great excitement and no
wonder for he had a 3 lb bass;
not long after, he caught another
nearly as large, then two smaller
ones. Said I must have brought
luck for it was his best catch this
summer. I was very glad it
happened so. Returned to breakfast
at 8 o'clk; at 10 Sister, Mrs. Miller
Mrs. Smith and I went sailing
with Frank. Had a moderate

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breeze, but no excuse to be

frightened. F. manages the boat
beautifully and is very proud of
it, won the prize in a sailing
match the day before we came up.
Returned at 12 o'clk and ate dinner
with good appetite. Mrs. Maj. Smith
came over with invitation for a ride
in a steamer of his, but before it
was ready Mrs. Dickinson, Blanche
and others came while eight or ten
gentlemen gathered on the lawn for
a shooting match. About 5 o'clk
we started for a tour of the lake
The little steam launch was plush
cushioned and beautifully fitted
up and we were having a delight-
ful time when we ran aground
and the machinery got out of fix.
After a little delay reached the
hotel wharf on the opposite side of
the lake. We went up to the hotel

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and strayed around awhile, in

about a half hour started again
and got home just in time to take
supper and start again for a
corn roast about a mile and a
half away. This time in two boats
Mrs. Miller, May, Frank and I in
one; Geo. Sister, Fay and Grace in
the other. A great bonfire was
lighted on a point of land, while
jap. lanterns hung from the trees.
The green corn in the inner husk
was thrown on the embers and
delightfully roasted, other refreshments
being coffee and sandwiches.
It was a very romantic scene
and everybody seeemed to have a
good time; got home about 10:30.

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Sun. Evening
May was my bedfellow the first
night, and last night I had
Gracie. Had breakfast about 9 o'clk
this morn and began to make ar-
rangements for service on the
lawn to the left of house. A table
was placed in central position; the
cover draped with water lilies
and sumach, a large jar of wild-
flowers stood on the grass below,
and a sheaf of grasses were fas-
tened to tree above that was my
part of preparations. Lawn seats
and chairs were placed around
a blanket spread on ground for
the children and a little platform
for the tiny organ not larger than
my small trunk which was brought
in one of the boats. Soon the

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people began to gather coming

mostly by water in row and
sail boats and two steamers, till
78 were here. Geo. led in the responsive
reading and did it well, several
hymns were sung, two prayers of-
fered and a sermon on hope read.
It was all very healthful for soul,
mind and body. This afternoon Geo.
Fay and I took a walk had a
beautiful view of the lake which is
4 1/2 miles long, and 3/4 wide here.
Had tea on the lawn and then strolled
off to a hill near which gave a fine
view of sunset on sky and water.
Tonight was so cool (68 degrees) Geo.
built a fire and we sat around in
the fire light. Now 10 o'clk everybody
is in bed. Was sorry to write with
pencil, but could not well do
otherwise. Geo. goes back to city to-
morrow and I stay till a week
([illegible] Page 1)

Written across tops of pages 1 & 4:

He gave me a good night kiss for you tonight. It is good to be

here, but I think often of you. Love to all friends, especially my scholars,
am so glad they come to see you. The Lord bless thee and keep thee.
Ever with love, Your Daughter, E.