Waterloo, Ont.,
May 25, 1919.
Dear Mother:
Another week has rolled around since I last wrote you, so I will try to see what I can do toward giving you a letter again. The weather the past week was very wet. It rained some, I think, every day. In consequence I didn’t get any more planting done except that I set out about thirty tomato plants. I haven’t any onions in yet nor any cabbages or turnips. Everything else, however, is in and the radishes and lettuce are coming up. Pastor Maurer hasn’t a seed in his garden yet and I don’t how his cut potatoes are coming on which he cut about two weeks ago. The past week was a very busy one with me as we were having our final examinations in the College and Seminary. I got through with all mine except two, which I will have this week. Then with the exception of the commencement next week all will be over for another year. I have everything ready for the commencement except the printing of the programmes which I expect to look after tomorrow. We held the oratorical contest in Carnegie Library Hall on Tuesday night of last week. All the boys – fine contestants – did well and proved a credit to our institution and made a very favourable impression. A Mr. Schmidt from Stratford carried off the prize. I presided over the “Spiel”.
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Yesterday the Luther League of Canada held its annual convention. I went down with Prof. Willison in his “Tin Lizzie”. We got back about half past ten last night. Among the important actions taken was one severing connection with the Luther League of America – a sort of declaration of independence for our Canadian Luther League. The Canada League has for a long time felt that it was regarded as a mere adjunct to that of the United States and has at last decided to break the leading strings and do some walking struts on its own account. I think the action was a good thing. Dr. Hoffmann last week declined the call to the Presidency of our institution and so another Board meeting has been set for Tuesday of this week. I don’t know what they will do and don’t think they know themselves, as Pastor Maurer said they were all at sea on the matter. As things now stand they will be obliged to have another Professor. And while the agitation to get Dr. Bieber in as President will probably fail it has succeeded to this extent that I am practically alienated from the contest. I do not care particularly as I am not anxious to shoulder the heavy responsibility and will be satisfied provided they get a good man for the head of the institution and do not lower my present salary. I would be still better satisfied if they would increase it a hundred dollars or so, and don’t know but that I shall ask them
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to do so at their regular meeting in June. I really need all of fifteen hundred dollars to live on and if I don’t get it here I might be tempted to go elsewhere within a year or so. But I like it here and do not wish to move again if I can make a living at all. But I would have gone behind considerably this year if it hadn’t been for the extra money I made in preaching – some of which, however, I haven’t got yet.
Bonnie was sick all day to-day and was in bed nearly all day with a bilious attack. I went to Church at St. John’s this morning, but had to make the dinner when I got back and also had to get supper. I didn’t get to church to-night as I didn’t get the dish washing done in time or the little children put to bed before Church time. Bonnie is feeling a little better to-night and I hope will be all right by to-morrow. The other evening I was talking to Mr. Irschick on the front lawn when Robert who was playing on the yard came up and said “Farther, I want to urinate on the mud.” Mr. Irschick almost burst his sides laughing. He said that was the most original remark he ever heard a youngster make. Pastor Bermon was at the Luther League convention in Preston yesterday and delivered an address there last night. He preached for Pastor Maurer in Kitchener at both services to-day and will stay over for the Board meeting on Tuesday. I expect him out here to-morrow. We are having a Summer School here in the Seminary June 25-27. Dr. Knubel is to be present and deliver a couple lectures. Rev. Luther Hogshead and Dr. R. E. Hunt are also expected.
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I have been put down for one course of lectures. This with my address on the Seminary before the two Synods at Preston on the 19th together with my gardening will give me something to think about and to do after the school is over for the year. But I guess it is well enough for a fellow to keep busy. Time hangs heavy when there isn’t much to do. Dr. Sperling of the Independent Lutheran Church in Kitchener was at the Convention in Preston yesterday and took an active part, his league joining the Canada League. He seems to be taking quite an interest in all our affairs lately and especially in the Seminary. His congregation could do a lot as it is the largest and wealthiest Lutheran Church in Canada and I am doing all I can to cultivate a close relationship with them. I know of at least half a dozen new students already for our next term and I think with a little effort we can double our present student body. But I must close. With love to all and all kinds of good wishes,
I am
Most Sincerely yours,
[signed] Carroll H. Little
