The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-07

where then my children will come back
here with me. Did it ever occur to you that
this is the only real sanitarium for rheu-
matte people? Perhaps a continuous resi-
dence is not necessary. / do not yet know.
| do know that | was cured here, and that
Mr. Davidson was cured also and you know
what a cripple he was. Mr. Balfour, before
ne came here, had had almost no respite
from the pain of sciatica for some fifteen
years until he arrived in Samoa. Here he
did not suffer at all remember his swing
ing his tennis racket as he was playing on
our lawn, saying as he did so that it had
been fifteen years since he had been able
to play. Samoa is not likely to be a great
commercial nor great agricultural sue
cess, but as sort of playground for semi
invalids there is no more suitable place.
Why do you not try to start that sort of
interest? Write things in our little local pa
per, and also in outside papers. 1 am sure
you could use Mr.. Davidsons name and Mr..
Baltours. really am afraid OF Samoa
going to smash altogether.
Thank you very much for your offer con-
corning the bull and the cows. hope to
dispose of them all, but if / do not I will
take advantage of your kindness. / expect
to spend a week in Apia before leave,
when shall hope to see much OF You. Yours
FANNY VAN DE GRIFT STEVENSON"
Lloyd Osbourne (Stevenson's stepson) was
married some two years ago to very nice
young lady hailing, think, from st. Louis
or thereaoouts. They have had one child,
Osbourne proposed that his family includ-
ing his mother and his sister Mrs. Joe
strong. now QlVOrceu), snail reIlre 10 tIOr-
ence, Italy. there to live as long as they find
life enjoyable. The Stevensons are in COM
Portable circumstances. I understand that
the royalties from his books still amount to
a respectable sum- ] do not think that Ste
venson left very much himself beyond the
property here, and some property in Scot
land of moderate value. About two years
ago Stevenson's mother died and her prop
erty, I think. y.ent mostly to Osbourne. It
was all situated in Scotland and was pro-
ductive of comfortable income.
The Stevenson home here is just back of
Apia on elevated ground, which commands
an extensive view of the sea and coast line
acres, about twenty-five of which are
cleared and planted with choice tropical
plants collected from many sources. From
a spring situated upon the property they
have water laid on, which supplies all their
purposes. The buildings are large and sub
whole property has lately been included in
the Apia municipality and its roads and APP
proaches are consequently in a well-kept
condition.
At an auction sale held here a few DAYS
ago Mrs stevenson disposed of a portion of
her furniture-in fact, all her surplus stun
which was great deal Still. at Vailinna
the absence of what has been sold would
scarcely be noticed Stevenson's library re-
mains intact and the great bulk of the pc
culiar but valuable furniture remains.
Mrs. stevenson would be glad to rent the
place to responsible and careful people for
q term of years for very small sum q he
lieve that she would take $50 or $50 month
for II II she were satisfied with the re-
spectaDillty Of the tenantl ! think that a
smart advertising physician could make
Besides the main building there are nu-
merous out1ouses and good cottage which
contains six or eight rooms. with balconies