MY DEAR FRIENDS,--Once more let me thank you for the little parcels
that have come since I wrote last, from Glenn Woolfenden, Nashoa,
Mo.; Anna Dearburne, Big Stone City, Dakota; Miss Gertrude Guion,
Elmira, N. Y.; Charley Brink, Aniaga, A. T.; Mrs. Ellen Burke, Blue
Mound, Ill.; Teddy Smith, ----; Miss Mary O'Neil, Miss Hattie
Burgess, Miss Etta Coulter, Rochester, N. Y.; Charles R. Crowther,
Bridgeport, Conn.; F. H. Day, Norwood, Massachusetts; W. A. Lewis,
Lewistown, Penn.; N. A. Miller, Tarrytown, N. Y.; Miss Emma Joiner,
Easton, Md. Among these parcels were two boxes of very useful
books. You have helped us so generously that we have now books and
papers to last us for some months to come. Of course I could in the
neighborhood find use for almost any number, but that would be too
big a work for either you or for us to undertake. We have decided
that it will be best to build the school-house on land of its own,
and so we will make a deed of the land upon which it is to be built
to that effect. We will teach the school, and do all as I have
promised. If your kind hearts still wish to help, you can do so by
sending me some old clothes, hats, hoods, shoes, shawls; dolls and
toys--no matter if they are broken: they will be acceptable and
lovely to these little ones, who have never owned a "store doll" in
their lives. They all are fond of candy, from Uncle Pete down to
the youngest child. They will be very poor this winter, owing to
the dry summer, and failure in the cotton crop. We will be so glad
if the Christmas tree can have gifts that will warm up their cold
little bodies! We will make and frost a large cake that will cut
into forty-two generous slices; then have, without stint, cookies
and hot coffee in the kitchen; when they have enjoyed this, show
them the tree. If we succeed, I will write you about it. With my
heart full of gratitude to you all, I am truly yours,