Letters of Madlin Wells

 

Burlington Iowa
October 26, 1928

Dear Aunt Bertie & All,

    Thank you for your nice letter. We surely enjoyed it. Please excuse pencils – we are in our apartment and ink is one of the things that I have neglected to buy. John has his fountain pen with him.
This is a dark and rainy afternoon. Jack is taking a long nap and I, too, have just had a snooze. Our apartment is just dandy – nice large rooms and looks very homey, but with it all for some reason I am a homesick child. I don’t believe I have ever felt so homesick in my life – of course it will take us awhile to get used to things – and it will take John awhile to get settled in his new work. I think I wrote about his being with the Iowa Southern Utilities Co. I am sure I wrote to Mamma all about it. Where we were on the farm with the Crists there were so many about us – we didn’t have time to get homesick – and some how I didn’t have the feeling of being a far from home. But here we are in a strange town and I feel like a fish out of water. Everyone we meet is most cordial. John finds his new associates most friendly but I suppose it is the newness of things – there is something different between the east and west. I am not complaining – but I admit I know what homesickness is.
    We are in a very “swank” neighborhood – lovely homes all around us – strictly residential – no stores near – do most of my marketing by telephone – except when I’m down town. Did I tell you that we are up on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi? We are just four doors from the embankment bluff -- across  across the street is a very old estate – and it is very English looking. This is the hilliest town I’ve ever seen – much more so than Germantown. I used to think that was hilly – but Burlington is mountainous in comparison.
    Jack is so much company to me. I believe I would die if it were not for him. John comes home to lunch and that breaks into the long day for me. Jack and I take a walk each day when the weather permits.
    The folks in Germantown are going to store some of our furniture and some they will sell if they can. Some of it would not be worthwhile shipping even though we stay out here permanently the cost of shipping is too much. They are sending a trunk with our bed-linens and table linens and silver also our electrical appliances – also our radio.
    Aunt Bertie you spoke about the Register. I do enjoy getting it but I don’t want you to bother having my subscription renewed when it runs out. I am still getting it – or at least Oct 15th copy was at Woodburn when we were there last week end. Would it be too much trouble for you to have my address changed if my subscription has not run out. Just tell them to send it to 103 Polk St. Burlington, Ia. We have several magazines to notify about our change of address.
    Isn’t it too bad about Mr. Cook? Some how I can’t imagine Mr. Cook not well. Wasn’t Harold quite sick awhile back? Does Harold and wife still live with Ma and Pa?
    You must look quite nice with your new rug in the kitchen. I wish I might walk in and see you all. I haven’t heard from home since before I left Woodburn. Is any one sick? You asked in your last letter who we were staying with here in Burlington – with Howard Crist and wife. That is the only reason that we in Burlington to-day – when they were in Woodburn awhile back they invited us to visit them – so while we were visiting John found work. I hope things will work out in our favor for awhile now – things have sure been going against us for a couple of years.
    It is after five o’clock. I must get Jack up if I don’t he won’t want to go to bed to-night. John will soon be home for supper.

Love to all of you from us all –
    Your loving granddaughter & niece,
        Madlin

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