{The Evangelical Lutheran Seminary of Canada} Waterloo, Ontario Canada}

Dec. 20, 1925

Dear Mother:

Your kind letter with its generous enclosure came to hand a few days ago. We enjoyed your letter and I was especially pleased to have so full an account of Aunt Fronie’s funeral and glad to hear that you had such a nice time for it and that it was so well attended and that the floral tributes were so profuse. I will always have the most pleasant memories of Aunt Frone as one of the most gentle and kind-hearted of women. The home is entirely broken up now and I suppose the gathering of all the children will probably be their last reunion. But so it goes. Here we have no continuing city; it is well if we are seeking one to come – the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

I wish to say that I appreciate most highly your contribution toward our Christmas cheer. But after reading your letter and learning how hard-up you were yourself I almost wished you hadn’t sent it. However, the sacrifice makes it all the more precious. I don’t know how we would have got along without it as my last cent had long gone the way of all the earth. I spent a little of the money on small expenses that could not be avoided and some to pay Church dues to-day, and have still nine dollars on hand which I am endeavouring

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to save for Christmas. On the strength of this I ordered a Christmas tree the other day from a farmer for 75₵. I think I will put most of the rest on candies, nuts and oranges for a Christmas treat for the children. I don’t think we will get any special presents this year and thus prudently avoid an orgy of spending. I am generally able to pay all my bills when the monthly cheque comes around; but last month, owing largely to winter clothes that had to be bought and shoes and rubbers I was about $25 short. The cheque for Dec. has not arrived yet, though I expect it to be paid early this week. But it will be well taken up and leave a long dry spell through Jan’y. However, as far as I am concerned, I don’t worry; but take things as they come and expect some way out. And when I don’t have it, I cut down expenditures to a minimum .i.e to say I don’t buy anything in the way of luxuries except tobacco, which should really be classed under the necessities. I haven’t even made beer since last summer, but I still have some cider to drink, which is excellent.

We closed our school at noon on Friday. In the evening Prof. Schorten celebrated his 25th ordination anniversary. There was a service in the Chapel and speeches, and a donation of a purse from the various conferences. Thus adjournment was made to his home where a social evening was spent and a smoker held with accompanying liquid refreshments. There were about 25 ministers present and

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some 8 or 10 women. I guess my turn will come next, as my 25th anniversary falls on the 3rd of June of next year. I am afraid, however, it will not be very profitable financially if I have to keep up the entertaining pace set by Prof. Schorten. However, there is this consolation that I will be nothing out. Prof. Schorten received, I think, about $75. We had cold weather all last week and this morning a frost that covered all the trees; but it turned warmer up in the day. This afternoon I went down for a skate on the dam, but had hardly got down there before it began to rain. In consequence I didn’t stay longer than was necessary to get the kinks out of my legs. Our Christmas Children’s service will take place on Christmas night. Eileen is about the only one of our children that shines in that. I will not be present as I am booked for a Christmas service at Bridgeport that night. I took Ruth and Catharine down to the barbershop the other day and had their hair bobbed. It made quite a change on Catharine whose hair was long. She seems quite proud of her bob. I asked her while ago what I should tell grandmother for her and she said “I don’t know grandmother.” But I think on reflection she would still remember you. Give my love to Hermine and my nieces and the little nephew and the brother-in-law whom I haven’t seen. May you all have a blessed and happy Christmas!

Sincerely yours,

[signed] Carroll H. Little