June 1, 1902

Dear Uncle,

I am positively ashamed to write to you but can’t mind matters or even grown in favor with myself by being silent. My dearest Uncle, I put myself on your mercies and I believe you are merciful almost to a fault.

First and foremost you know how many things come up in a busy woman’s life to cause her to say, “I’ll write tomorrow”. While I have not written to you yet you and your troubles have been in my mind almost constantly. Train goes out very early of morning and each day I have said “I’ll write this afternoon”, and the unexpected would happen. Almost every night and parts of days we have had to practice songs for commencement. Tomorrow night is the last night of commencement and I am glad.

One time George said that next time he was married he expected to get a wife that could not sing a note, had never seen a piano, and did not belong to the church. I don’t blame him for such desperate assertions and I guess if he did not sing himself he’d “be after getting her” right away.

How are you each one now? I trust you are well by this time. It was so sad that your very happy homecoming should have been turned into sorrow. We have prayed that your loved ones may be restored to health. Please write and tell me how you are.

We have not been sick and yet the most of the time we have not felt right well. I guess the result of fast approaching summer weather.

How I wish you could have enjoyed the treat we had this morning listening to the Baccalaureate sermon at the college. Subject “Character and influence”. It was one of the best things I ever listened to in my life and a man of such a lovable character preached the sermon. His life illustrated his talk making it more forcable. Brother and Mr. Sam have worked night and day getting ready for and working in court which is still in session.

Sister is very busy getting ready for her and the children to go to Austin the latter part of this week to University commencement.

You made quite an impression on our friends. Wish you had stayed longer so that everyone could have known what a dear old uncle we have. Mr. Barber asked one of our friends if she met you (she was away while you were here). She said no. “Well,” said Mr. B. “I consider him one of the finest men and most interesting talker I ever met.” I smiled to myself and said that you might have been as brilliant as the noon day sun and I didn’t think Grandpa B. could have discovered it because he talked too much himself to permit anyone else to do so, that I guess because you were such an interested listener he thought you all things else.

Sister Minnie thinks you are the “sweetest” person she ever saw and wishes so often you lived here. George said some such fine things about you- In fact we all think you are a dear good old uncle and wish we could see you often. It would be so lovely if you and you dear little home nest lived in our town.

Uncle I have taken one afternoon to myself since you were here. I felt so tired and weary one day last week that Katherine, Helen and I went up to picnic grounds with alot of pillows and a new magazine and just did nothing but rest. I have felt much better ever since. It was the greatest treat I think I ever had.

The play was very successful (the one we went to) . A few Monday nights ago we had an old fashioned “spelling bee” - 10 cents admittance for the W.C.T.U. Had lots of fun had the words given out of the old fashioned blue back speller. I was one of three who stood till the last which was considered quite a great honor of course. My husband held the baby while I spelled. He said he could nurse he knew as well as anyone, but did not feel the same assurance about spelling.

Have you tried your fishing outfit?

How is Uncle Sydney? Give him and his family our love.

Much love to all of you folks. Wish I had you all here to take a drive with me this morning (Monday). It is so pleasant. I am not going out but if you were here I would. Monday morning is the hardest work I have during the week so I guess I’ll work instead of drive.

Oh! George has bought a horse almost exactly like Bob and we are going to sail around behind a double team. We have ordered harness and tongue for surrey and are getting the new horse fat.

Goodbye,

Lovingly,

Lutie