West Point, Nebr. June 7 '97.
Dear Brother Lawrence:-
Did you think I was never going to write to you? Well; the University is over, except for the summer school. Commencement passed off fine. Eva graduated and so did Charlie Thompson — from the law school. There were 106 in the class. Edward Everett Hale gave the Phi Beta Kappa and the Commencement orations. I wish you could have heard  him. His lecture was inspiring — he spoke on "Liberal Education."

The class play was

good. The seniors quarrelled [sic] and for a time it seemed doubtful whether they would succeed in having a play. It was highly interesting, more of local interest, however, than general. It consisted for the most part of roasts on the Chancellor and the professors.

On Commencement morning among other announcements, the Chancellor conferred the degree of B.A. upon Lawrence Bruner in absentia. I congratulate you, Lawrence, but quite agree with one of the students, Mr. Alexander,

who said that it should have been A.M. and sooner conferred.

You missed all the Adams-Wolf Chancellor affair. Times were for a while very exciting. I am very sorry that it occurred, because I like Dr. Wolfe very much. I realize at the same time that her presence in the faculty was the cause of a great deal of discord. Prof. Houdon, too, is to leave, and Mary Tremain also. I hated to leave the Uni this spring

as I did not expect to return. Eva has a grade school at Creighton. As yet I have no place. Eva and I both applied here, but neither of us was elected at, so they said — it was against regulations to elect a teacher who had never taught before. What brilliant prospects for the University graduate! I should think that our experience among strangers and people and our better education ought to somewhat balance a years teaching of a high school graduate. But,

I was not disappointed anyway, Julius T Reile voted for me and would not give up. He insisted upon electing me if possible — but Lawrence — and here's the humor of it — he was dead dumb and didn't know any letters. Mr. King didn't vote for me when he knew the rules. It seems somewhat strange, indeed, that the members of the Board, as per King, should not themselves be aware of such iron-rules as this.
I heard the other day that there were two

vacancies in the Wisner schools. I sent in my application yesterday and today boarded the train and went to Wisner. I saw every one of the members of the Board and noted both my qualifications and disqualifications. Their attitude seemed rather favorable but one can never tell and so I do not count upon election. One place is the 4 and 5 grades, the other the assistancy [sic] in the High School. I said I should prefer the latter. The election does

not take place till July the first week. Mr. Emily is the Secretary. He [?] you and how much fun you and he had talking. Mr. Melahes, also one of the members, asked me about you. I hope the glamour of your glory will make me, too, ressplendant [sic] and so give me a better chance. I applied at two places where I have still to hear from — South Sioux City, and North Platte. Both places elect in July.

Edgar and Hudson came from the claims

the other day. Now, Hudson, Edgar, & Phoneta, Kenelm, and Paul Sunms are getting ready to go again. They will take the cattle along — between 75 and 80 head. They were all branded on Tuesday. IE is the brand. They intend to begin the ranch in real earnest. Phoneta will stay some time until she must come back for school. She was re-elected. They will leave if possible this next Monday.

The W.P. graduating exercises came off their last Friday. Twelve were in the class. Reuelus graduated.

He got ever so many nice presents, a gold watch among other things. He expects to go to the University in the fall. You ought to see how large he's getting to be. He is surely an inch taller than when he was at Lincoln in the spring. The claims will toughen him, I think and make him more of a boy. 

Aunt Caroline and Uncle Mohn and Pearl Parker came here a week ago last Friday and will stay sometime longer. They are visiting their old friends. Aunt Caroline is always so cheerful and happy, always laughing too

so different from Aunt Kate. Mother and Aunt Betty were at Rosebud some over two weeks, and came home last Friday. They had a very pleasant time there, and Ella too was glad for their [?] Aunt Kitty has felt so bad ever since Uncle John died, and the trip brightened her a good deal.

You know, I suppose, that Psyche came home with Lily and me. She is having a good time, so at least I should judge, as she is running around from morning till night busy at something. Just now she is down town

with Lily Munroe. I have change of her money. Lawrence, she is as fond of candy as ever. I gave her two cents today for some. You see, she is not so very extravagent [sic] though.

When I left Lincoln, Marcia and the children — Helen and Alice were well. Baby walks all around and talks. She says "Aunt Amy" too. Of course you know the news from your own home, but I'll say anyway, that Eliza has left. I wonder how Alice gets along without her wonderful Liza. Marcia and the children will come here as soon as Marcia gets the sewing

done. Ella and the girls will be here for part of the summer.

Erdie Brunner was married this Wednesday — June 16, — to Poppy Hasetter of Omaha. They go to Chicago on their wedding tour, then, before they settle down, they will visit West Point. It seems queer to think of Erdie as married.

Mother got a letter from Uncle Til yesterday. His sores are still open and recurring. He says his disease is so complicated that he doubts sometimes if he has the [?]. He is about to try a

new cure. It will cost $700. Mother sent him $10 on Sunday. He is very much discouraged. Aunt Mary takes in washing. Aunt Kitty and the others will send him some more this week. 

Everything is so beautiful and green. We are having plenty rain. Mother just read in the Bee that at Sioux City the first trees were so infested with lice that the limbs bent with double their weight, and that the first crop will be entirely destroyed.

Edgar just told me that when they get to the claims they will put up a steel

windmill — a Fairfield — and build a tarp and good yards. I hope they will be successful. It is a venture they have been contemplating for a long time.

Did Marcia send you a Junior Annual? She was uncertain whether to send it.

Mr. Senter and his father were over from Bancroft last Saturday. His sister Mattie — Mrs. Watson died last week and her baby too.

We are well, every one of us. We have nothing new. Should you happen upon us in South America you would know us at

at once. Psyche is at home now. She brought me a stick of licorice for a present. The cherries are getting ripe. We had cherry pie for dinner. We have too much to eat here at home. The Friday I came home I weighed 116 lbs. On Sunday I weighed 120. I haven't weighed since and may weigh much more.

The cuckoo clock says 25 minutes to 9 — whether A.M. or P.M. I cannot say — it has a way of its own in telling time. The [?], too, is quite eccentric acting very much as its own wild will dictates, [?] when it feels like it and only as often.

Our other clock is now striking 6 P.M — supper time.
Mother is mending the tent for the boys. There is a great deal of mending and packing necessary to get them off.

I hope, Lawrence that sometime you will have time to answer my letter, and then tell me about your ocean trip and land journey. There tell me please, too how much it costs to get to Buenos Aryes. Perhaps, if I cannot get a school here. I can get one in S.A. Are there places there for private teachers. governesses, tutors, or such

like. I should think that English people or Americans might want English teachers. Tell me this please. I am in earnest. I am really not joking, I should like to go to South America.
Lillie B. has been working at the [?] for the last few days and will have to for some time. Mr. King goes to Omaha as often as usual. Father is busy all the time either at his office or attending to the chores about the place.

I meant to write to you much sooner. Lawrence but, your being so far away made it seem that I could not write so often as I kept putting it

off. By what philosophy I reasoned this I cannot say. I am going to write oftener now. I know you will be glad to hear from home.
I wish you success, dear Lawrence, and hope that you may be will.

We shall all be glad to hear from you and remember, Lawrence that I am in earnest about that business matter.

Mother may write too. I suppose you'll not get this letter for a whole month, nor I hear from you for another month and a half.

Goodbye now with love from your sister Amy