5th May 1927, Wellington, Colorado. U.S.A. My Dearest Mother, I have had your last letter quite a while now and have figured every day on answering but always seemed to keep busy. This morning I thought, well, I'll write to mother today, and decided to do it right away. Thanks ever so much for your letter, it seemed a little cheerier than the other one and thanks for the books too. I enjoy the nurses story and the last new one. I'm glad Annie won such a nice prize, she can put it in her "bottom drawer". By the way it is her Birthday tomorrow. I have'nt sent her a card but wish her many happy returns of the day, just the same. Have you heard how Fanny B is now? I sure feel sorry for her. My children are keeping well I'm glad to say. There's chicken pox, measles, pink eye and scarlet fever around. Tops and Ed were exposed to the former ailment but did not take it. Topsy had an accident just a week ago. We dont know how she did it. But she got a big gash in the fleshy part of her leg, on the inside. We had to take her to the Drs, They put her under chloroform and put two stitches in her leg. (It made me sick as usual). I don't know when the stitches have to come out but the wound seems to be healing up. As soon as the kids saw me writing they wanted to make some more kisses. They are both kinder cranky this morning and I sent Tops back to bed until she feels like getting dressed. It is only 7 a.m. and its cold too, the sun is hiding away and I have'nt got a fire. I have been using my gas stove for nearly two weeks now but its really too cold in a morning for it. Well I have forty-one little chickens of my own raising, some are about five weeks old. I bought a hundred baby chicks, Buff Orpingtons from Denver. They arrived yesterday, I have put them with three hens. I did have another one but she tried to kill them. I have'nt looked at them yet this morning as it is too cold to uncover them but I'm sure anxious. Rose got a hundred Plymouth Rocks on Tuesday. Yes, Woolworth's is in Fort Collins. We went to Collins yesterday to get some chick feed. Walt is going in again today to get the valves of the car ground. He will be gone all day. I went down one day last week and bought me a new dress. It's a lovely heavy-weight silk crepe, real pale pink, is bloused; the waist has a big band of dull embroidery across the front and the skirt has several rows of pin tucks. The skirt has a front over drape and a side drape; The neck is round with a bow and a pretty buckle on one shoulder. The sleeves are long and full at the wrists. On Saturday night I bought my hat, it is orchid and has a few little pink flowers on one side. I am wearing the blond kid slippers with white trimming and real high heels. I made myself a fast colour print dress and have enough goods for an outfit for Mary. I made her a little blue dress with bloomers to match. My neighbour gave me several dresses and bloomers for her. I had to buy a new boiler, wash boiler, an all copper one this time. The other had a copper bottom and tin sides but I think it lasted well. Walt had it here when I came and it wasn't new then. Have you got any garden in? My peas, turnips, radish and lettuce are up, sweet peas are too. I am putting most of my flowers in my vegetable garden out in the beet field. Well mother dear, I guess I'll have to quit, I have quite a lot to do. I forgot to tell you that Nida graduates for the senior high school this month. The folks have bought her a lovely out-fit, dress, silk slip, kid shoes, stockings etc; We went down to see Florrie the other night. She is getting worse all the time. Her voice is almost gone and she is too weak to stand or any thing else. I made her a sponge sandwich cake and gave her. I have made all kinds of blunders in my letter but you must forgive me, for keeping you waiting so long too. Well mother, I hope you are all well and that you keep so. Give my love to all and take lots yourself. I remain Your loving daughter XXXXX Dolly XXXXX P.S. Walt's mother wishes to be remember to you. The pink goods is like mine and the blue is like Topsy's. They are both fast colour. D.W. Two snippets of material included in the envelope.