Faison N.C.

Dear Bob & Sister Kate.

Many thanks for the lovely presents you sent us. I have

started ever so many letters to you but some thing happens so

that I never finish one. Mitchell has been cutting teeth for

two months. He has been so bad that I have no time to read,

write, sew or any thing else but nurse. You never saw a baby

grow as fast as Mitchell does. He will soon be walking. He

is just as sweet & pretty to me as would be if he was no trouble.

I have him on the floor by me. With every thing to play with from

a dish of oranges to the butter mold. Joe & Doll got off last night.

Doll cried to stay. We will miss him so much. I guess they need him

at home more than I do though. Mitchell is standing up by me crying

for dear life.

I hope you will not mind my writing you with a pencil for I

write a bout three lines & (have) to stop for something. I am so

glad you are living at Wentworth. Bob, I hope that you clear(?)cure?

up your health and your jobs. It will not take you long to have

a good well furnished home. I have given up the hope of ever

having a nice house. Edwin is one of these kinds(?) of people that just

so he has plenty to eat & some thing (it matters not what) to wear,

he is satisified so far as any thing of that kind is concerned.

We are building a small three room house. We are to get in it next

week. Miss Kate S???? says you were so well fixed didn't you hate

to break up & go to Wentworth to board. I guess if nothing happens

we will go back to Cal. next year. Edwin wants to go so bad. Joe

says he is going with us. I wish you would write to me some time and

tell me all about the Wentworth people. I will write to you again when

we get in our new house. I will tell you the best that I can how

we are fixed. Give my love to Mrs. Martin & Miss Hall. I am

ashamed of this mess of a letter. I have been three days at writing

it. I am going to send it out any way so I will get a long one

from you some time, maby.

Write some time to your Down East Sister.

Laura M. Oates

Dec. 28, 1910