Anna V. Blough letter to mother, Feb. 6, 1915

              Anna Blough Letter Transcription
Folder: 1913-1915

Ping Ting Hsien Shin, Shansi, China
February 6, 1915

Dear Mother-
This week the letter came tellin about Xmas. I was so glad for this news. When you tell things so plainly 
I almost feel like I am there too. Am glad everyone had such a nice time. Think you must have all 
enjoyed it. We did not have as cold weather as that. Today again it was zero and seemed pretty cold. I 
suppose the folks coming from school had a good time especially when all the cousins got together 
with their special company. So Elmer got back in time for Xmas dinner.

You said there was an envelope for each of us. Did not say what was in it, but I thank you for it 
anyhow. That must have been a good program at the church. The different between yours and ours 
was that you did the giving and others gave it to the needy ones. Here others did the giving and we 
had the pleasure of giving it to the needy ones. Yet we too did a part of the giving. Well, that is the 
most enjoyable way of doing after all.

Last Tuesday evening my typewriter got out of fix so I took it up to Rebecca, she was a stenographer, 
and we took it apart and adjusted it. Nothing was broken but it needed adjusting. We had quite a time 
with the tiny balls on which it runs they got lost several times, but finally found them. If I were closer 
to an office I would take it there in place of working at it myself. 

The other day the hunters came back, rather disappointed over the results. Only had one small pig and 
several pheasants and rabbits. The snow they were hoping for did not come till they were on their way 
home. Since Emma is gone I have been trying to keep the horse exercised. Did not get to ride him for 
several days this week and then one day I started out and he felt so good, that his heel went up in the 
air while I tried to hold on. Finally got him quieted and then got off and sent the boy out to ride off 
some of his spirits. He was tame enough when he came back that I could ride him alright. Was out 
again today several miles and gave him a chance to run all he wanted. 

Tonight is a great time here again. This is the time the Kitchen god is to be sent off to heaven, 
according to their ideas. I saw so many folks going home from town today with paper money to burn at 
the occasion. Some were carrying new gods to put in place of the old one. It will be accomplished by 
burning the old one and shooting firecrackers. Before the old one is burned taffy is pasted on his 
mouth so he can not open it when he gets to heaven and tell their bad deeds. Is that not silly for 
grown people to think? 8 should think they would know the taffy burns off and lets him free. I saw the 
taffy sellers on the street and their calls can be heard, calling out their wares. 

The little boy who had a crushed foot is being treated at the op refuge. I noticed today that his left ear 
has an ear ring. I asked the reason. They said his mother was afraid he might die, so by putting an ear 
ring in one ear, the devil will think he is a girl and will not want him and so will not take him. That is only 
needed till twelve years old. Other give the boy the name of �Ya Tou�, meaning slave girl.

I suppose that father is enjoying both his grandson and the warmer weather in Calif. Glad he can be 
there. Wish you too could be there.

I am glad that Sarah Lichty is better again. Is Dennis bringing a wife there this winter?

Uncle Tommys have a very nice house. I think Grandmas room must be nice and sunny. Is it near to 
the road, or is Sa, F[ik?]es between them and the road?

Do you have any plants this winter? I am managing to keep some alive, but they do not do much. This 
stove throws off a little gas and so that puts them back. we hope that if we get a furnace that will be 
done away with and we can have plants. 

May the Lord be with you and keep you thru the worst of the winter. Hope the boys help you a lot. 

Lovingly yours,
Anna V. Blough

Ida�s letter just came. That was alright to give her the that mony. So the bill for those pictures please 
take out of the envelope if it had enough. Let me know

Did you send me any stamps? Ida�s bill with postage was $.50. Will you see that she gets it if she did 
not take it? Altogether her bills were $3.50 taken out of that $5.00 that leaves $1.50 [rest cut off]