|
|
|
Missionary in China in the 1870's Letter - food and food costs Athens, O. Tuesday evening, May 3d, A. D. 1870
Dear Sister; After waiting as usual until I began to grow weary with impatience, yesterday I got a letter from Ag. On the outside of the envelope was written, "Portsmouth. How do you get along in Seatin? As well as usual I wreckon." It was written in a strange hand, with pen and ink. Who wrote it, I cannot even guess. That sinister remark I told you about on another letter of mine, was written by the two rogues who brought it from the P.O.-- R. H. Kinnison & John A. White; but this was not written, I am quite sure, after it left Portsmouth. Well -- for the box business. The first box you sent I have got; it was lying here at the station a long time before I knew it; I was expecting it at the Express Office all the time, and as the station is some distance from the college, I did not go there only once in a while; and once when I went, there was no one there. But I got it at last, although the pies and eggs and butter had spoiled. However the meat, flour, meal, etc., or whatever was of the most value, was uninjured, the apples were about half rotted, and the potatoes & turnips sprouting. The box you sent on Saturday came to-day. You may be sure I didn't let it lie very long at the station. I had it in my arms the very minute it was set down on the platform. I did not pay a cent of freight on either box -- I suppose I shall have to wait until I get home before I do so. The things in the last box were all right, only the pies were somewhat smashed and every egg cracked. You need not give yourselves any more trouble now about me, for I have upwards of a bushel of potatoes, any amount of dried peaches and apples, and as much meal and flour almost as I shall need this term. So that since I have all necessary things in abundance, I can now afford to spend a dime now and then for something extra, and live a great deal better than I have been living. I have coffee whenever I want it (what S. T. McKim left me for nothing) butter and molasses all the time, meat, etc., etc. I make splendid cakes out of corn meal and wheat flour, mixing them half & half, or 2/3 meal to 1/3 flour, in nothing but cold water and soda and salt. Then I have a box of baking-powder, which does not exactly answer the place of yeast (although it is intended to do so), but enables me to bake a sort of loaf now and then. I bought some check stuff at 20 cts. a week or two ago, and the woman who does my washing made me a splendid shirt for 50 cts. -- a thing of which I badly stood in need. I guess I shall get her to make me another one.The Ministerial Association meets here on next Monday night, when I expect to see R. D. Morgan again. Returah Desellem is working here at the Brown House. I have seen her once or twice. I am sorry Pa is getting so discontented, and yet I am not surprised, for the way things have been going with him for several years has not at all been calculated to keep him in a pleasant humor. Be patient with him, and remember that he has a great many trials which you do not understand. Did you get that paper I sent you? It created sort of sensation here when it came out, and everybody wanted to read that essay. One fellow from Virginia sent a copy away over home to let his girl read it. Next Friday night the Philo Society have an open session, to which all the Athenians are invited. Each Society is trying to create the most favorable impression on the townfolks. Next time I will say something about Commencement, or the prospects for it, in which I am somewhat interested. Has Nancy Marshall been paid yet? The weather is fine, the trees are becoming green, and the college grounds are becoming as lovely as a picture. I wish you were here to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings, Nothing more at present. Trius amans frater, A. Stritmatter |