Wisner, Nebr., Oct., 19, 1897.
Dear Lawrence:
I feel like writing to you this evening, and although it seems more as if I were talking to you, it will be Thanksgiving I fear before you receive my letter.

It is now going on six weeks since I began to teach. At first I found it very hard. I didn't know how to manage my children; now I have them in pretty good control, and things go much better. I really enjoy my work now I have now 32 enrolled. The principal and the other teachers are pleasant, which makes the work doubly agreeable. Then, I room only a block and a half from the school-house, saving a great deal of time. This will be good in bad weather. When I want to take walks I can; there is always some place to go.

I have been home three times so far, every two weeks. Last Friday afternoon mother and father came up in the carriage and took one home. I was so greatly surprised as I didn't expect them. How glad I was you may imagine when mother walked into my room without knocking. She walked up to the [?], and sitting down, said: "What a lot of nice little boys and girls you have." Then, of course, the children sat up straight and behaved exceptionally well.

The apples are all gathered at home, also the walnuts, though all are not hulled. The other things are ready for winter. We have had a rainy season this last week, raining Friday, Sat., Sunday, and again last night. In all, the fall must have been nearly three inches — a good rain as the country was getting

pitably [sic] dry. Now it is bright and clear and we have promised a pleasant fall. With you it must be the coming of the spring. I would like to be with you a week or two, to see the mountains, the Spanish people, and all. Yet, I am quite satisfied this year. I am so glad I got a school. I could not be contented if at the Uni this year. I have much more time to read now than when at school, and reading is what I most care to do at present. When I have prepared my lessons for school, I have the rest of the time for myself. I am doing some English Literature reading under advice of Dr. Sheuman, general reading, with critical study at the same time. Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar." 
I get $45 a month, quite a

fortune to me. I saved all of that amount, but at the end of the year, I will have about $150. My expenses per month are $14, this is, board and room, other items make it about $15. I go home which costs something.

Father is going to start for the claims Thursday. I will go to the depot to see him through. Lillie B. is still there, but I think she will return with father in a week or so.

Ida and Mr. King were at Lincoln last week to see Kenelm. They get so lonely without him, Ida especially, for Mr. King is away from home so much of the time. Ella, Dr DeBell, and Nellie are at Lincoln too. Dr. has the rheumetism [sic] and is taking treatment at the sanitorium. You hear from Marcia and know your home-news

much better than I.

A week from this Friday, on Oct. 29, Chancellor MaClean will speak at Wisner. I shall enjoy his address, it will bring the Uni. Life back to me. I hear the Uni. News from Lily and what I see in the Hesperian. I subscribed for the Hesperian today.

Hudson will be 38 years old this month and Lily M. 21 years old. I happened to think about it just this evening. Mother was 63 and father 67 years old last month. Ella gave them three clothes hampers and three bedroom chairs.

The palms you gave mother are growing nicely. mother has one, the broad-leafed one, in the sitting-room on a little stand, and it brightens the whole room. All of the flowers are in the house

for the winter.

My room is full — pretty full — of boxelder bugs, cranberry over the bureau, myself, and books. Nothing seems to eradicate them. I sincerely hope you will achieve what you hope to and wish. I suppose you sometimes see Miss Tremain — Miss — I cannot recall her name. You North Americans will seem all the closer friends for being so far from home.

Well, since I have told you much of the news, and I can not say much else this time, I will close.

Wishing you a good Thanksgiving, and all other good things. I am, with much love,
Your sister Amy.

P.S. Uncle Till is no better; indeed is worse; yet he has faith in a new electrical cure which he may take.

Dear Brother —
For a long time I have been saying I would write you a letter, so has Mr. King, but you know how easy it is to procrastinate — So, although I may not have much news in particular I will write a letter. I know how glad you must be to receive any word from home — I suppose some one has written you that Lillie had gone up to the claims for six weeks or so? Father went up last Thursday and expected to stay a week or a little more — Mother has not heard from him yet — I think today is mail day — The boys are busy building his sheds and preparing for winter — In Lillie's last letter she said Hudson and one of the neighbors were going to Burwell to get lumber for their house — I hope they have it about built — There was snow up in that vicinity on Tuesday and quite a heavy fall of snow in Denver and mountains. We had rain and a cold wind — Today is bright and pleasant — It seems strange that while we are approaching winter you are leaving it behind and having spring — I cannot understand why the people living there do not have

provisions for warmth in winter. They certainly must feel the change as much as we do — Don't they know enough to have artificial heat or are they too shiftless? I should think they would get sick — I read some extracts from your letters in Monday's Bee. They were very interesting — I hope you may be able to go home by way of Africa and the Suez Canal. Your trip will be a pleasant experience. I also hope you will be successful in your work — Ellie the Dr. and Nellie leave for Rosebud this evening's train. We may not see them now before we do you. The time will soon roll around and you will be home again— We were down to Lincoln the middle of the month to see Kenelm and the folks — Kenelm is enjoying his work very much. He is studying, Graphics, Physics, Chemistry, English, Hygene [sic], and taking Droll. He wanted to take Field Athletics, but he has not reported yet, so I do not know about that. He, Jimmie Crawford and Charlie Bickenhauer are rooming together on O St. at a very nice place — Lily Mums, Lizzie Stufer, Alice Schairer and two other young ladies have three nice rooms at Bedson's — There are over a dozen W.P. folks attending the Uni, — Which makes it very pleasant. I think it was very nice in Marcia to have them all to supper. Marcia and  the children, Seba & the cousin (I forget her name) were all well when I was there. Little Alice chatters all the time and whatever the other girls do she wants to do. I suppose you received Kenelm's letter?

If you can get us some birds along with the nest, if it is not too much trouble we would be glad to pay you for them. I want a new case made and put what birds we have in it with more added. By the time this letter reaches you Thanksgiving Day will have come and gone. Quite a change from last year. you and Psyche, Edgar and Hudson ate dinner with me. This year you are in South America and the boys on the claims. Truly we never can tell what a year will bring forth. If you can find time to write we would be glad to hear from you. The folks at home are all well. Hoping you will keep well and be successful, and with much love to you,
I am your sister,
Ida M. King

Ans
Dec. 19 - 1897
Sister Ida M King
Oct. 28 '97