Background: M. Edith Raff was in Cedar Falls, Iowa, getting ready to start teacher's training. Her mother, Ella Sanders Raff, wrote her the following letter, which is typed verbatim. ~~~~~~*~~~~~ Muscatine August 18th, 1907 Dear Edith, I have come home but a short time since form Hawleys where I had a very fine dinner, chicken pot-pie, corn, tomatoes, baking powder biscuits, apple pie and cake. I came near stalling with such a spread. I went there from Sunday school and was met at the door by Nellie Hawley, it was quite a surprise to me, I stopped there on my way home form the reception yesterday afternoon to let them know for certain that I would be there for dinner today, and they said nothing about her coming. She would like to have seen you but said she had a bone to pick with you for not writing and that she did not get your picture if you sent it to her. She and Carl sent us all in the front room after dinner and they did up the work. Carl washed and she wiped the dishes. Nellie came down on the morning train and goes back again this evening. Carl's vacation begins on Wednesday, he would like to go right over home but will likely wait and go up on the excursion Thursday to help Mr. Huchinson as ther! e will be a scarcity of men. But, to go back to the beginning, I hope you got through with all your belongings and yourself right side up with care. Have received no word from you yet but likely will soon, will hold this until morning and see. I did not get much sleep after your left but I hope you put in as solid a night as I did the next one, it was said to have stormed all the night long but I heard nothing of it, on waking up about seven the next morning all was serene and bright. The afternoon was lovely for the reception, just such a one as the other reception had, the storms have been very accommodating lately, coming in the night time. Everything was elegant, canvas was laid from the station to the club house, the hostesses looked lovely, the bride wore her wedding dress, some thin filmy silk, hand embroidered, with train. The color scheme was green and white, the decorations were lovely and elaborate, the refreshments, brick ice cream, the outer layers white cream, the center one a green ice, one cake a white with green icing, napkins white with delicate green border, very pretty, favors, white sweet-peas with green fern. Four hundred invitations were out, some timed from 3 to 5, others from 4 to 6 o'clock. It has been a long time since I have seen so many handsome costumes together as were displayed there. Friday afternoon I went to fill an engagement at Dr. Kulps, found him busy and while waiting went to the court house and saw Mr. Witter, he seemed to think there would be no other applicants for that scholarship and you could have it as you wanted it. He referred me to the Elickers in regard to Highland Park, several of them attended there and a son taught there, I see Miss Anna Elicker was one of your party to Geneva, perhaps she could give you some pointers in regard to it if you chose to inquire. A postcard came from Josie, I think I can enclose it by clipping one edge a little. You can see by that she will be in Chicago when you come back, you had better write her to see you at the train if you cannot stop off to see her. I enclose a whole column form Friday evenings paper, some of it if not all will interest you. The Mr. Watson I could not place from the head lines but did as you will on reading the paragraph. The other clipping from the same paper may interest Anna as well as you. Since commencing this letter two events have happened, one was a visit from the Jameson family, papa included, they just came home from Geneva Island last evening, the baby seemed as delighted to see me as though I was one of the family. The other event is the arrival of a daughter at the Cherry mansion, it is too recent to give particulars. I expect to see you come home made over new. Much love to yourself and also Anna. Mama ~~~~~*~~~~~~ Written sideways in the margin at the top of the first page: Aug. 19th. Two cards arrived from you this morning. Am glad you reached there safely and are pleased with the place. A post card came from Helen Warren, it will keep. Word from Cherry's this morn, is that she and the baby will have a hard pull to get through, especially the baby. Mama ~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES