267 3/12/1949 Sadie Erwin to Helen Carlson

Sadie Erwin Box 44, Enumclaw, Washington Saturday, March 12, 1949

Helen Carlson 4008 Randall Avenue, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis 16, Minnesota

My Dear Helen and All, A letter came from you Thursday, then yesterday, Friday, a letter came from Rose. She does not want it known about Arthur passing on. One thing, Arthur never wrote home often so Mrs. D. will not be missing his letters and wonder why he does not write. In many ways they are a funny family. I went down to see Gladys yesterday. She is feeling fine, but said she couldn't see how she could go another whole week. I am to take Mrs. Thomas, a C. S. from here, down next Wednesday to stay with the family while Gladys is away. If they need her before they will call, and we will take her right down. Thursday we paid the earnest money down on the store building. Will pay the balance of the down payment when the title insurance paper comes through which will take about ten days. I am glad we are buying the property. Bensons are not going to move. He is coming back here to work this territory Monday. I do not know how Stella feels about it, but Harold is happy although yesterday he had one of the biggest days any of the salesmen have had. Sold $125.00 worth of goods. Our weather has been lovely for the past two weeks. Then we had two days of wind. Yesterday was nice and today it is raining but not cold. Gladys said Betty had written Warnie's wife inviting her to visit them for a few days. So far she has not answered Betty's letters. Gladys was wondering if Jan intended stopping over here at all. It is pretty swell of you to offer to take care of the boys for so long a time. Surely they will pay you for the food. Yes, it will be three years May 1st since we opened the store for business. No, there is no room in the store for living quarters, but plenty of room on the lot to build. There are two lots 166 ft long. I am sure Jimmie and Mary had a wonderful time at the circus. Having the clowns talk to them they will never forget. Sometimes it is not smart to be too liberal and give everything away, but it is a lot better than being too tight too. Jim and Ruth went down to Glad's last Monday night and took the playpen with them. Bob will have a hard time getting it now. Nebraska has had a terrible winter. The worst the state has ever known. Mrs. Thomas is from there, also two other families that trade with us. Some places the houses in the country have been completely covered with snow. People have lost all their stock. Mrs. Thomas's daughter's husband is a highway man. He said one place near them the snow was 30 ft high and over a mile long across both railroad and highway. Took a week to clear it away and then more snow came. All schools were closed and many families had to be taken out of their farm homes to keep them from starving. I am sure that is what Mrs. E. has reference to. It will be nice for her to get back to where Charlie is, still Leila never makes her very happy either. I forgot to ask Gladys about a car seat. Will find out for you. Ruth has the one you sent and I do not imagine Gary will use it this summer or after Glad's baby is old enough to use it. I have a lot more I want to write but will leave it until tonight. This is my night off. Want to send this now, so you will get it Monday. Much love to all, Mother.