[Marcia writing] Alice wrote this to papa.
[The rest of the paper is covered in scribbles.]

[Second page also covered in scribbles.]

Ans Sept. 7/97

Lincoln. Nebr. Aug. 1 - '97
Dear Lawrence
It is discouraging work trying to write to you when I feel as if you might not get my letters. and then I do not hear from you as often as I ought. I shall be so glad when I hear that you have recieved [sic] some of my letters because I have written lots of them. It seems as if you might write to me once a week when you are at your headquarters. The last letter nearly two weeks ago said you were sick with malarial fever. and here I have not heard a word since. it is cruel to treat me so. if you are well enough to write you should have done so

in a week. and if you are sick you could get someone to let me know. The worst is better than no news. Psyche received the book with pictures from Brazil in. I see you were able to direct that.

Mr. Fremain came out a few days ago with an article from an Argentina paper about you. He translated it for me. He said they had first heard from their daughter, so I know there was a mail in from there. I met the Chancellor on the street the other day and he wished me to send his love to you. He said your name had gone all over this land. I am saving clippings about you and will make a scrap book of them.

I will make the money you sent go as far as I can, but you

know how many expenses there are attached to housekeeping and then you have so many subscriptions, interest on notices etc. down to be paid up it goes kind of slow getting even. I hope to get all your subscriptions and notes paid off some day and get even with the world.

Of course we had to have some clothes this summer. going to N.P. but I do not have to buy much more of that kind.

Mr. Drame is back from his vacation. He preached in Cleveland one month to raise money for his subscription.

Helen has a new washboard and bib and she gets out a doll washing nearly every day. Baby tried to sing "Little Bo Peep." and "Lightly row." now she can say almost anything Psyche is sure much better now.

she is taking life easy and seems to be growing less nervous. It has been intolerably hot here for two weeks. a great many prostrations from the heat.

Seba will probably be elected Prin. Of the Vine St. School the principal has resigned and the school board all talk as if she was the one for the place.

Ellen is still here. She is a splendid girl, but she does not want to stay because she does not know anyone here and she is inclined to have the blues. 

You will be surprised to know that I am feeling better than I have for two years lately. Dr. Nords has been giving me [?] treatment and medicine to quiet my nerves. She still wants to perform that operation on me but I think not if I feel as well right along

I think she sees lots of money in me and is going to hang on to me just as long as she can. I am gradually sliding out of her clutches. I am sorry to write this about her. [?] it seems to me she wants to make all she can out of me.

I see by the paper that Mrs. Gahrung has sold her property on G. Street. I suppose she will eke out an [?] on the income.

I was out riding with the Morres lately. Mrs Phinney took us out riding lately too.

Well I must close now. Hope you will write a few more letters before next April. Yours lovingly.
Marcia Bruner
2314 S. 17 Street.
Lincoln Nebr.

Lincoln, Nebr.
Aug 8, 1897
Dear Lawrence,
The letter you wrote June 27 got here last Tuesday morning (Aug.3) and the one you wrote the 24 got here in the afternoon. They must have come in on the same mail but the first was distributed last and the last first. I am glad you are feeling better you probably have made the long journey you spoke of by this time and I hope you stood it well. I do not see how you can finish your work in a year and are any result from it. You speak of so many birds there do they not kill off insects to some extent.

Gov. Furnas sent me a pass to the State Fair and a very nice letter with it. He said if I came up there to let the State Board know it and they would do every thing in their power to make it pleasant for me. Must close now. Marcia

When you come back can Psyche, Helen and I meet you in Chicago? We will go to some hotel you name and wait for you.

Seba is in Valperaiso now but Ruth is here. I have plenty around all the time.

Ella, Dr. Bell and the girls are coming Tuesday on a visit. Ellen is a real good girl so I do not worry about the work. Grace Earll is going back to Taylors this week. She will not stay long though. Alice T. is in Chicago with her mother who is not expected to live much longer and cannot come back until she does die and Laura Burt is coming on with the children and will stay with them. They wanted Grace to go and stay with her for awhile. I think she will stay with me this winter and go to school.

Then I can go away from home afternoons when I want to. It is so hard to get away from baby with just a girl and if your business keeps me as busy all the time as it has since I came home I will have to go to town often.

The American Exchange bank just got the money from Boston that you sent day before yesterday. If they had not let me have $200 to use I do not know what I would have done. Mr. Ning says there will be no trouble here after, they will give me the money as soon as it gets here or as soon as I get your check, and send it off afterwards. I noticed Mr. Doane and business there. I have paid up everything on the slips of paper you left except Seba $30, Childrens Home $10 and Plymouth Church $250 and have $190

left. Dr. Righters bill was $40. Have paid Seba $70. The N.Y. Life 26.84, groceries 17.48, Church subscription $20. Mr. Loveland $102.80 this is all lately and I used the other one hundred for groceries during May & June. For coal, and dress making, etc. etc. I have every cent of it down. The Boston man shared the note $4.75. I will not neet to use much of the remaining until the first of next month except for groceries down town and fruit. Mr. Lane says it will be all right for me to pay that $250, the first part of Aug. He has it nearly all pledged, and they are going to take what they have to Mr. and ask him to throw off the balance a few hundred everyone thinks he will be foolish if he does not do so as the church will never make such

an effort again, and the property will not be worth anything if he forecloses. They got the $500 from the C.C.B.S. Mr. Hunter has two months of grasshopper work from Washington as Special Field Agent. Your father is afraid he is going to mess up your place while you are away. Mrs. has traded her property for a very small house on 14&S. St. and a little to boot. The house has no conveniences whatever. How they have come down. Mr. Collins has a $3000 position in Washington. They will move there in Sept.

Mrs. John M spent Thursday afternoon here. She is going too. Do you not wish we were there to keep house for you.​

I get so discouraged about Psyche

sometimes she seems better and then again she will go to moving around so it seems as if she was worse. I notice if she has been playing with any children she is always worse. Her left foot and hand move and the muscles of her face sometimes.

The other children are well. I have a good notion to rent a piano and let her on it and see if that would not have a effect.

To go back to business again. The reason I have not paid that Children's Home Fund. I do not know when to send it and I had to borrow $50 of Phoneta in W.P. You know you left me a big list of subscriptions etc. to pay and this man working on the yard and our expenses were very heavy for a while after you left. Then Seba wanted some money so I borrowed that I can pay

it back before Christmas. I will enclose one of the prices of accounts you left with me with a few additional ones of mine on.

Everything is paid but the last.

Baby tries to say everything Helen does. For instance — Helen says Mama, my tooth aches. Baby says right after, Mama Baby tooth aches. Or Helen said one day when I brought home some new treats "Mama let me see the treats," and she repeated it. She does not know half the time what she is talking about. I am going to get a load of sand for them to play in to keep them at home. Dr. Righter says Psyche must not play with other children now it excites her so.

If I get through this year and take care of the children and run your financial affairs as well as the house keeping I will be doing well. I feel better since coming home.

Lincoln, Nebr.
Aug 15, 1897
Dear Lawrence,
Baby is in my lap so I do not know how I will succeed with my writing. She awoke this morning vomiting and dia​ [sic] but nothing serious. She is lots better now but wants to be held. Psyche seems better most of the time. She gets spells of wiggling. She and Helen are at Sunday School now. Sebas is in Valperaiso Grace at Taylor's but Ella and Georgia and Florence Dr. Bell are here so we are not alone.

Ellen has promised to stay until Christmas now. She is a good cook and very neat and clean.

Your letters are very interesting especially about the people. I have read the one you wrote to Psyche on her birthday out loud to ever so many people. Every one enjoys it. Am so glad you

are better. It ought to begin to grow rainier there soon. I should think.

Mrs. Tremain brought me some articles published in Buenos Ayres​ which seem to be very much opposed to you. Are they jealous of you. I hope the criticism does not make you feel very badly and I hope you will be able to find a sure remedy to show them you are not bragging. Mr. Humpe said to tell you if he were you he would stop looking after the grasshoppers once in a while and hunt for mines or diamonds. He seems to have the gold fever. Do not spend too much money bringing us things. We will have to make the hall larger if you bring us much truck.

There is not much to write about this week. I wish you were here again. I do not believe you would go again if you had it to do over would you?

Ella and the girls have gone to the Lutheran church and will be coming home soon. I will close now. Maybe I'll think of more before morning.

Lovingly, Marcia

Helen and I were talking about what we would do if you came home last night. She got to crying and we both came to the conclusion that we would rather you was a poor man and had to work on the street than to have you gone like this.

Baby is not satisfied to sit in​ anyones [sic] lap now without a look and keeps turning over the papers saying "Bead that." For read that. She says handkerchickie, bykukle (bycicle)​ and lots of things.

I am so glad you are better now and hope you will remain so. Get me a spoon wherever you can find one.

Marcia

R. Shoes Map of S. Amer. Rand & McNally - Clive
Slippers
Suit. Hat.
Dr. Righter
Settle with Loveland From April. 15th St. Bd. Apr.) $100
Settle with Mrs. Frankish (June 26) - - - $22.00 $275. + Int.
Settle with Prof. Ward's father. May 1st - Interest - - $34.
Settle with Life Insurance (June 8 - J.H. Mockett) $52.89
Settle with Life Insurance (Aug. 12) N.Y. Life $26.84
Settle with City, county & State Taxes, Real & personal $40. +
Phoneta will have $100. in May. to loan. July 1 - $50.00 borrowed
Doane College (June 1.) 10.
Frank. Children's Home Fund (June 1.) 10.
Plymouth Ch. $200
Seba $100
Youth's Companion 1.75
Phoneta $50

Aug 17th, 1897
Dear Papa:-
It has been raining and I thought it was a cloud burst. Manama said it was almost. Everything is covered with water and while it was raining we could not see to the street car corner. Aunt Ella and the girls have been here and just started before it comenced to rain and we hardly think they got to the train. We still have Fido and the chickens. They've been troubled with lice and Babe lied with them. They are [?]. We have another cat named Jom

I got some cider of Mr. Stawley and he is going to give me some more. Our Seba has been to Valparaiso & was coming home this afternoon.

Helen is going to send you a letter. If we ask baby where papa is, she'll say "Sousemerica." and calls my wheel Sipy's Bytuple.

From your loving daughter,
Psyche Bruner

P.S. The pen is bad and I can't write good. With a kiss,
P.B.

Aug. 27. '97.
Dear Lawrence.
It seems so nice to hear from you regularly now. We get a letter almost every Monday or Tuesday. Of course they are five weeks old but they tell so much of the life there.

Everyone who meets me asks about you and wants to be remembered.
Mr. DeVore again today.
I will send you the Plymouth notes. Two weeks from today is rally Sunday and they hope to have the money all raised. I was intending to go on to Lena next week with Psyche and Helen, but Psyche wants to give so much something that I have concluded to stay at home and let each of the girls give $10 a piece as it would cost me $20 anyway to go. 20 is a sacrifice on my part because I wanted so much to go. I hope after this debt on the church is paid we will feel free to use our money for pleasure

sometimes. 

I will look for more money from you the first or second week in Sept. and will then give the $250. It looks as if every cent would be raised so I do not feel as if I would give any more. The church will need so much done to it next spring you will have plenty of chances to do more.

I am so glad you get my letters now I try to keep you posted on the news of Lincoln. One day last week Psyche, Helen, and Alice each wrote you a letter and I addressed the envelope and had to put 4 cents on it but was waiting to buy a one cent stamp. Seba thought it was ready, so sent it. I hope you will get it as their letters were all cute. 

My money matters are all in good shape. I will not have to spend much from now on only for groceries and coal. I had to buy some everyday dishes bowls, sheets, etc. but have caught up with nearly everything. Suppose the coal for all winter will cost $100. We read of Consul Baker's death last summer in the dispatches. It seemed very sad at the time

You are always talking of sending me a clipping but I never see a clip of any sent. Mr. Hunter's brother has been here twice looking for some grass-hoppers you sent for. He looked in nearly every drawer before he found the right one. Mr. H. the older is off on a Gov.t expedition.

Mrs Bowen is home for her vacation and has had a beaux. He is an old widower, his wife has not been dead a year yet. He is her school board president. They say Mattie will be married next month and Nat is going very often out into the country to see his girl.

It must be getting rains there to turn you all now. We have had delightful weather the last two weeks, just cool enough to be pleasant. Have had lots of rain this summer. I do not see many people nowadays therefore have not much to write about. Psyche is better. Helen, Baby are well.

I want to tell you about myself before I close. Dr. Nords talked to me about a growth on my womb

so much and frightened me so. I began to think it was a tumor. 

She wanted to perform an operation this summer. I made up my mind to find out more about it and went to Dr. Finney lately. (Dr. Righter never seemed interested in me.) He said that the growth she talks about was that place that was operated upon before torn open again. it is a hard sublance I suppose. He said that it would need a very skillful surgeon to mend it or I would be bed ridden. Said the long tear she told of besides was not there. He thinks an operation is not absolutely necessary, but I can be cured in other ways. I know Dr. Nords helped me when she gave me heal treatment because I feel better, but she wanted to hurry up the operation. Seba had no confidence in her and I lost some. I am going to get cured though before I give up. My legs are no better but I am better in the other ways. Seba says she wants to write to you so I will close.
Lovingly. Marcia

P.S. — I forgot to tell you that we had some company to tea last night.

Laura Burt has come back home with the Taylor children and will stay with them until their aunt Alice can come back. So I wanted her and the children out and Miss Ballerine, a former Prescott school teacher is visiting Miss Libaou, and Seba wanted to ask them, so we had the six of them including the children. I set the old table on the side porch for the children and they did have fun. Frido, the cat & chickens watched for every crumb & bone.

I had for supper light biscuit and butter, scalloped potatoes, spring chicken fried, wild grape jelly (I made about five quarts of it) cucumber cabbage salad, coffee, ice cream with peaches, and marble and angels cake.

I am going to make apple jelly out of the apples lying around our yard tomorrow. Have [?] milk of Hawley's. I am

getting nice milk of a Mr. Young in the country for $10 a gal.

This is all this time.
M.B.

I will send you something to wear on your coat or vest lappel [sic] with this letter.

Dear Lawrence.
I did not go to church today. It has been so hot again and last night we could not sleep on account of the heat so I am about played out. It started to rain before morning and so is cooler today. We have had lots of cool weather this summer but it seems as if it is so very hot when it is hot.

I suppose it is getting warmer where you are now. You will have it warm enough before you get back I guess. It has seemed all summer as if you are off on a trip and now it seems as if you ought to be coming home.

I am sorry your work is so hard on you, you will not get much rest this year I am afraid. It will seem good to you to come back to the Uni again won't it.

Thursday Seba and I made some callo. We called on Mrs. Ward. She

has been sick in bed with nervous prostration. Mrs. Davis said she did not have time to lay in bed all summer with nervous anything. That’s my fix too. Mrs. N. still has her two girls. I do not see how she could be so worn out.

We went to see Mrs. Moore. She seemed to have the blues. It may go very hard with him. Went to see the Gene's. Mrs. G. and daughters were all at home. They were very pleasant, asked a great many questions about you. Also called on Maysie Anne and Mrs Davis. Mrs Davis took me with her one day lately too and we called on some of the new church people. I put up a peck of mild grape made jelly, 200 pickles and made 8 glasses of plum jelly one gallon of butter, about 8 glasses of apple jelly and some apple butter this week. It seems as if I am busy all the time. I can do more work than I could a year ago. Wish you were here to help eat the stuff.

Mr & Mrs Phinney have gone to Cols. and they left their horse & buggy with Feltons. She told me to use it whenever I wanted to and so I think that Seba, Grace, the children & myself will drive up to Valperaiso some day this week and stay overnight and drive back the next day. We have used the horse quite a lot and he drive nicely. I will pay Mr. Felton something for it. Mr. Leault of the Childrens Orphans Founding Home Society etc. etc. called on me yesterday and I paid him the $10 due. He is going to send a photo if some boy and I'll send it to you.

I let Psyche subscribe $10 to the church debt. She took the money with her today and I sent $13 along which pays up your weekly subscriptions to next Sunday. You see I am not spending the money all on myself. I intend to pay in the $250 you subscribed as soon as your money gets here

and then everything will be paid up and I am going to begin to save money for you to get out of debt. I will buy about four tows of hard coal to start with and one of soft. I notice one insurance comes due the 1st of Nov. will pay that, but do not think I will have money to pay the interest on the $330 you borrowed of Ella when it comes due. (the last of Sept.) I will send it to her as soon as I have it to spare.

Someone poisoned Friggs dog last week and I suppose Fido will go next. He still runs out at teams but is not as bad as he used to be.

Baby Alice eats everything now and seems to enjoy it. Her bowels are in good order. She has worn panties all summer and is so clean about them. She awakes once during the night and calls for a drink and she —. I attend

to her and that is all.

Helen plays with her most all day, they have fine time. Psyche is better but she still twitches a good deal. Baby has final commenced to play with dolls in real earnest. She carries a doll and a book every place she goes. Someone has to look at the [?] with her whenever we sit down. She goes up & down stairs now and we never think of helping her.

We have watered the young trees a lot this summer but two of them are going to die I am afraid. I thought you might be interested in these Uni items and will put them in. 

Everything is well as far as I know. Take good care of yourself and write to me often. Your loving wife
Marcia Bruner

2314 S. 17 St.
Lincoln. Nebr.

P.S. I have lost the statement within the last week that you left me of the bills & subscriptions to be paid. Everything on that Is paid up to date except the $250 to Plymouth Church Perhaps you had better make out another one for the rest of the year and send to me.
M. B.

After I had written this letter yesterday Jared Smith and his sister called here. He has been in Arizona and Mexico all summer for the Govt. He said he saw you after I did and thought I would like to see him. He expects his wife home in a month. They both thought the baby the cutest one they ever saw. She came in the room and first clipped around, showing them everything and tottering. I read your last letter to them. Which they thought very interesting. –M

Aug 31 - '97
Dear Lawrence
I wrote to you a few days ago, but since then I had a letter from Ella Nestfall and she asks for part of her money. 21 comes due Sept 30th $350. I cannot pay her anything but the interest out of the money I expect to receive from you next week, but will send her as much as I can spare out of the next that you send - and will make it a point to pay her up this winter. Please bear in mind that I want to pay her something inside of three months. I shall write to her that you are so far away and it takes so long to send money I cannot have it for her by the last of Sept but later. I do not think they are suffering for it anyway. Please write out a statement as I told you in my last letter of all Insurance money, interest on money and anything you know of that comes due after Sept or Oct. 1st and I will keep track of it. and then I think you need not send anymore money to me after the 1st of Jan. I have $50

to pay Phoneta sometime this fall, but can squeeze that out someplace. and after Seba commences her school we can get along. You had better keep what you make after the 1st of Jan. to pay Mr. Nard on the house so much as you can that is.

Remember you promised me a ring for staying home.

My coal will probably cost $30 to commence with but I will not try that for two months yet.

This is all this time.
Marcia.