Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-02-16
Dear NJ. B. Friends:

Dear NJ. Is. FTtendS:
All the way from Nebraska the above
poem has come to us, and we may con-
clude the complaint" which it illustrates
is to be found in the extremes of the
country and quite likely in all the inter
vening sections. We will all say show
true." but will we profit by its
The following letter from one of our
western sisters will be enjoyed by all.
Dear Mutuals:
have noticed in the last few months sever
al inquiries for A. NJ. D. / felt thoroughly
lattered and pleased to think any one noticed
my absence, but why did not write was be-
cause was waiting for some kind of an in
spiration or something worth while to write
about; as it does not come viii write any way.
Lately have been Undertaking, like the
bears, only seem to have spent the time in
the furnace room. My two Johns are away
all day and that soft coal furnace is as much
care and almost as dirty as our real little
baby John. Nebraska has surely had regu-
lar old-fashioned winter, and after ten weeks
the snow is everywhere in great drifts and
slowly melting. 1t certainly is fortunate that
the snow melts so slowly, or the foods below
us here would be very damaging-as it is they
say all the lowlands are under water. hope
the poor people will escape the floods this
year as the suffering..and loss to property are
terrible.
would like very much to know who the
Mutual was who used to1know my John when
he was a big fat baby. and he really wishes to
know more than /, or any Of the rest that
know us. have read similar requests in the
column before, but as do not know any, Of
course could not make myself known.
Now is the time to have Christmas shop
ping ideas and not wait until the last minute
always do mine all the year when / make
any gifts and, il don't, really have to give
it up entirely, as generally have about forty
to fifty more friends and relatives to re-
member. / believe.that most people like use
full articles, and am combining my gifts to
ladies more than ever to ties, handkerchiefs
and linens that can be used or useful silver
and running gentleman's rooming house /
find them all delighted when they show me
their gifts Of ties, socks and handkerchiefs.
shopping in a large city is anything but
pleasant at Christmas time. First unless
you know just what you want one is appalled,
at the array of things, then you are appalled,
at the price, then you reach in past four or
five other shoppers and feel of the article with
two fingers, then if you really think you want
it you stand half an hour on one foot then the
other until some one goes away, then squeeze
in and stand some more; finally you get the
coveted article and when you get it home
you find it is soiied maybe where you didn't
notice it with electric light.
didn't have all / needed this year, SO after
trying to get something gave up and tried to
telephone at home; having no success at that,
l called the office and trusted it to the office
girl when she had time. She told me all the
other phones were disconnected so as not to
annoy the clerks, and one morning couple of
days later she sent out several things just as
ordered and hae to let the rest go, as she
was not sure. That is why few friends of
mine did not get their small rememb rance
from me as | could not get the time to go
down again.
This is not interesting, know, and Aunt
Madge can do as she wishes about publishing
it. 1t may be that aspiration will come later
on. Happy New Year to all the Mutuals.
AND.
Your picture of Christmas shopping is
true to life. laughed heartily all by my
self as | read it.
A personal letter from "a. NJ. Y.n has
been much enjoyed and she does not
write to the column direct because she
has nothing to say that will be a s'benefitn
to any one, but her very next sentence
interested me:
am teacher of photography now in
Bryant Stratton business college here,
(Boston)r and my life Consists in training
minds and fingers some. younger, some
oder - to write the curves and pot hooks,
as the characters are sometimes called.
Please extend my greetings to all NJ. B.
sisters, and If there are any near, or in,
Boston, l should be glad to hear from them or
see them.
Alexia also sends nice personal letter
from which / make few extracts.
think that the column has been unusually
interesting the past season. The last mes