Kansas City, MO
July 18, 5:30pm '97
Mrs. Helen M. Caine
1021 Gratz Avenue
Knoxville Tennessee
Monday afternoon, Nov. 11th
Dear little Mamma-
As you see, I didn't get my other letter written yesterday after all, for before I got to it Frank and Jas Moore came in and naturally stayed for lunch--which they got themselves--and such messes. And after that I read a little and then got sleepy and went to bed.
This morning I have been doing little things to help me out with tomorrows work.
I believe I promised to tell you what I did last week as I wrote too hurriedly to get everything in, but it's so long now that I'm afraid I've forgotten myself.
I think I told you I went to Dr.Quayle's lecture--yes I remember I did--We didn't go to church Sunday night and I think Frank was here for lunch.
I have forgotten what I did Monday, but perhaps I told you, as I remember of writing after Walter got home from official board meeting.
Tuesday morning after my usual work I spent an hour with Mrs. Trice--she had been very poorly again but was sitting up and said she should make an extra effort to here my Euterpe (singing group) program. She promised to come to our dinner tomorrow and I told her she should sit next to Dr. Quayle.
Walter and I began "composing" place cards before we got up this morning and here is a sample--it is George's--
"Here sits the cherub,
meek and mild, Isn't it sweet?
our joy and pride,
our angel child"
I will copy them all for you sometime.
I am planning to have exactly the same things to eat, so it will be a little easier for me. Mr. Medes said yesterday that he had lost sixteen pounds this summer which he hoped to make up tomorrow and Harry Moore came up to show us how thin he had gotten from "fasting".
Well after my visit to Mrs. Trice I went down to Mother Neff's and stayed for lunch and Father Neff and I had an interesting visit about war times.
He can be very entertaining.
Late in the afternoon I went to call on Mrs. Carlbuch who has just returned from a year and a half abroad, and I also attended to some Euterpe affairs. In the evening we went to see the "Cats and Dogs" but while they were splendid the performance wasn't elaborate as the one we saw together. But I thought of you anyway, dearest.
Wednesday. I spent a busy day putting away my summer clothes and straightening up things generally.
I had to laugh when I folded up so carefully my two dimity dresses, so that they wouldn't be mussed for next summer--their fourth season.
Walter came home with such a bad headache that we didn't go to church.
Thursday morning I went to town as there was a big shoe sale at Daggett's and I needed a pair--I got some that look excellent for three dollars "marked down from five". Of course the afternoon was given up to the Euterpe and after it was over I came home with a hard headache and didn't try to do anything more that day.
All my people did finely--Mrs. Hallenback better than I had ever heard her--and the hall was full.
To my great disappointment Walter was too busy to get there at all.
After it was over I divided an enormous bunch of chrysanthemums among the musicians and brought two fine ones home which look fresh yet.
I "dressed up", as I know I should have to be seen more than usual--wore my black net skirt, white satin waist and light blue hat, which by the way, is much prettier than it was last year.
I had about forty tickets to give away and felt that I really was giving a good many people pleasure for once.
Mother Neff and Sarah went and Sarah asked me to drive down with her, but I wanted to get there early and preferred going in the car.
Friday I helped Mrs. Brian all day finishing up the sewing, and Saturday was busy enough putting everything away and getting the sewing room and your room ready for Florence to clean. I also went to town and did my ordering for the dinner.
This evening we will finish our rhymes and I will copy them.
I put that little piece of velvet ribbon in the coller of Edna's green waist just to show you how Miss Rose fixes mine to keep them clean.
The ribbon I had was old and not a very good piece, but I thought would show you my idea.
I will send the other nine stamps as I get them.
My dinner cost the same as usual--I can never seem to make the price less and have things real nice.
We are thinking of paying Lee and Cora a little visit--they are anxious to have us and we have been wanting to for a long time. We can get transportation and the rest and the change will do Walter lots of good and I am sure I should enjoy it immensely.
Our plan now is to leave here a week from Thursday night and stay till the following Tuesday night--that will get us back in good time for the family thanksgiving dinner and reunion at Mother Neff's.
Lee's address is "5-827 Kimbark Ave." and I shall look for one or two letters from you there.
I think it is postman time.
With much love to all.
Affectionately yours,
Anna
Place cards.
~
(Dr.Quayle)
This seat is reserved for the Belle of the ball,
without whom a dinner is no fun at all.
~
(Mrs. Quayle)
This Queen of hearts,
could make no tarts,
because she had no butter--
But when she took, her time to look,
she made a Quayle's heart flutter.
~
(Mabel)
Here is a young girl they call Mabel,
who loves to sit long at the table.
When she goes to her friends,
they are at their wits ands,
for to make both ends meet they're not able.
~
(Mr. Moore)
Here sit, our Prince Charming,
and let your fancies soar,
and if your plate gets empty,
why only roar for Moore.
~
(Mrs.Moore)
A pearl among women
may here take her seat,
and smile and do nothing,
but eat and look sweet.
~
(Louise)
Here Queen Louise may sit at ease
and bask in the smiles of Prince Charming,
which the Pearl and the Cherub won't mind at all,
or find it the least bit alarming.
~
(George)
Here sits the cherub,
meek and mild,
our joy and pride,
our angel child!
~
(Mrs. Medes)
The fancy little lady,
may sit the Cherub nigh,
and his wings a-sprouting
and see that he don't fly.
~
(Mr.Medes)
Here is a plate,
for William the Great,
otherwise called Mr.Medes--
he must be very good,
to get any food,
or else he'll feed upon weeds.
~
(Mrs. Trice)
Here Mrs. Trice
our neighbor nice,
may sit beside "the Belle"
~
(Walter)
Here may the baby take his place,
and answer if he's able,
the question mooted, oft disputed,
which is the head of the table?
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