805 10/11/1893 Emily Pratt Erwin to Albert Erwin

Emily Pratt Erwin Bridgeport, Connecticut Wednesday, October 11, 1893

Albert Erwin St. Peter, Minnesota

Bridgeport, Connecticut October 11, 1893 My dear Albert, Your good letter came last night and we were all pleased to hear from you. We think you have improved a good deal since you wrote the last letter. This was very plain and it makes grandpa laugh. He could not make you a gun and he said I must find one for you downtown. Mary and I went down to Mr. Reed’s store today and we found just one small gun, so we bought it for your birthday and hope that you will enjoy it real well. I hope it will not get broken in the mailbag. I will go down in the morning and mail it and hope you will get it next Sunday. I hope that you will like your new school and learn many good things. Don’t ever point your gun toward Carl, or any other child, for you might injure someone firing sticks or stones. Perhaps you get some cattails to make them of, in the sloughs. Mary and I went with Mrs. Lyons to dinner yesterday. They all sent love to you all. Mary goes to school forenoons. I shall not send her in cold, rough weather. We have not seen any frost yet and all the yards look bright. Your plants have given us such pleasure. The dahlias are full of flowers, mostly pearl color. They fell on the grass and morning glories run all over them. They look beautiful. The Lantana grew large and covered with flowers. It is 10 o’clock, goodnight my dear Albert. We all wish you a real happy birthday. 9 years sounds big, don’t it? From Grandma. Thursday morning. Bright and warm – wonderful weather! Mary has gone to school. She goes with Fannie and to Sunday school too. Mary and little Lillian ran up together and bumped heads awful hard. Made Lillian’s nose bleed hard and Mary has quite a tender bump on her forehead. Grandpa Smith on Grove St. was buried yesterday. I am going to the post office now with your gun for Grandpa could not leave his work to go. He only had 24 hours work last week and it is the same now. Mr. & Mrs. Strong and Belle are coming next Tuesday – your birthday.