Kansas City, MO Nov 26/94

Mrs. Helen. M. Caine
1021 Gratz Ave.
Knoxville Tenn.

Kansas City, MO Nov 26/94

My dear little Mamma,
I was sorry to write you in such a great hurry Saturday, but I found it must be that way or not at all. After I had finished I went over to Louise's and she seemed delighted to see me. She says she has gotten to depend on me so much that she doesn't feel she can do anything without me. There are still a good many things to be bought and attended to and I presume it will take about all the time I can spare from my own doings.
We went to church a good deal last week and enjoyed Dr. Quayle so much better than when Mr. Harrison conducted them. We went Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and I attended one afternoon meeting. Dr. Quayle's talks are fine.
Thursday evening he asked me to sing "almost persuaded", and afterward he told me he saw a great many people wiping their eyes. Ever so many came up and said nice things about it, and yesterday I sang in Sunday school. So you see I am trying to do my "duty" a little, dearest.
Nelly drove us over to George's after Sunday school and we found the Balens and Bridgefords there and we heard they had had several more callers, and I presume they will have it that way every Sunday afternoon for sometime. Louise is keeping up better than we expected, but I think she is inclined to worry over things a good deal as we are dearest. We went back to the home folks for lunch and then went back to church and stayed to the after meeting. Col. and Mrs. Neff and Ward start for Chicago tonight. We had an invitation to go home for dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Babcock as yesterday was their anniversary also, but our own dinner was prepared and it isn't necessary to tell you that we preferred being in our own nest by ourselves. We had raw apples, quails, washed potatoes, escalloped oysters, celery, salted almonds, marmalade, apple snow cake, and pears. Of course we used our anniversary gifts and were both delighted with them. Walter said to tell you they are the prettiest oyster forks in town, that the salt and pepper shakers are beautiful, and that if you get in the poor house we will come and get you out (provided. of course, we aren't already there ourselves.)
We spoke of you often during dinner and wished that you and Jo and Uncle Warren and Auntie were with us. Walter said to tell you that you must be here by the 12th of December sure, and I say so, too. Don't for anything wait for Anne for she may not come for months for all I know--there are so many things at home to interfere with her plans and wishes--and so unless you consider it your absolute duty to stay, I think you ought to get your trunk out of the store room and begin to pack. I think I can get your wardrobe and closet cleaned out in a week--if not you can help me do it. I have done little Christmas shopping, but by far the larger part of my list is yet to be filled, and it takes more time when one has to plan how to get the most for the money. And I find it not nearly so easy as when you are here to help me plan. I only wish you could bring Mrs. Wizzy home with you. Walter says he has heard there are to be special rates on a good many of the roads, and I hope you may be able to take advantage of them.
Give all the dear home people lots of love and tell them Walter and I would simply be overjoyed to have them here.
Lovingly, Anna

Monday afternoon, Nov. 11th ' 97

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?

Christmas gift cards and Easter Greeting

7 Notes in all

They are tiny pieces of paper found inside an envelope titled:

To Mrs. Helen. M. Caine
From Walter

As a reward of merit for not applying for the big organ at the church, please resue this organ.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
First side: Walter Neff
Back side: Merry Christmas.
To dearest
From Walter.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

For Dearest---
Oh! Can it be a bonnet?
If it is, why, dearest, don it?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

For Dearest
With love from Walter + Anna (put not your faith in the size of the box!)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's something for Dearest--
Only cast your eye through the hole in the top.
And wonders you will spy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

For Dearest--
(To see to mend our stockings by)
Walter + Anna
----------------------------------------------------------------------

For Dearest--
(To keep Walter's little stockings in)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Walter and Dearest--
Easter Greetings!
(Other side of note)
At last, I'm thinking, there’s nothing to "tender",
You’re having a chicken that's young and tender.
To seize 'pon this birdie and fall to with zeal.
And (if you're not hungry) he'll make a square meal.

(Written in small text at bottom)
This was on the table Easter morning with the chicken--the ugliest one I ever saw. Please----

Buffalo NY 1898

Buffalo NY 1898
Mr. Edwin R Caine
3025
Kansas City

790 Potomac Ave,
Buffalo, August 1. 1898

My dear Mrs. Neff,
I wish I could express to you the pleasure your letter has given me and I also wish I could tell you how the quick grief as to the unknown writer was once satisfied and quickly changed to a warm interest as I read the pages of your delightful letter and before I reply to that portion of it pertaining to your question and it's real object. I wish to say something of our cousinly relations the names of your father Edwin Caine and your mother Helen Galt seemed to possess potent charm, that brought back the past and made it a living picture. It sent me again to the days of my childhood when "I was eleven years old" and "in Ludlowville" it was there I first met your mother and I became her friend. I think I have never seen her but once since that time but the friendships formed in youth are apt to be lasting, unless some much disappointing influences shall crush them out. So my early affection for your mother today is sincere and pleasant and quite at her service! but it was your father who was my family first(that was before my knowledge of Col. John)!!--and he was always my favorite cousin. I never saw him after his marriage and only rarely heard of him, but I like all who knew and loved him, mourned him in his death. Your introduction of yourself as his child, wins an interest for you in advance and I shall hope to know you better. That we have_______in common is evident from your desire to possess the dear old clock. I also have a clock that once hung on the wall of the "South Room" of grandfather's house. As long as I can remember anything, I remember that clock. Mine is an eight day clock, does not strike, has a weight so heavy it has once gone through the bottom of the clock only just escaping breaking the register and taking a good piece out of the bear bored in it's heavy fall. Mine is known as a Banjo and is first in my dearest possessions. It ticks so slowly and as you say is it's own dignity. It was patented in 1819 so I have a real data that satisfies me. I congratulate you on having your clock and I am pleased to know it has fallen in to the hands of an appreciative descendent.
We have certainly a mutual friend in our dear Sue Clark and she has shown herself in full and generous sympathy with our family interests. She may have told you of my relation to my friend Miss Lord with whom I make my home. After a friendship of many years, circumstance brought us most closely together, and I have been with Miss Lord for the last thirteen years, our friends are each other friends, and when the postman brought your letter to me we were sitting on the veranda and I naturally after reading it gave the contents to Miss Lord. She was quick "unfinished"