AU Lambert, Bertha Elizabeth [Harris] - 1907-04-04 letter to Dear Father & Mother, Brothers & Sisters

Archive

-

Harris-Lambert Family Archives

Name/Title

AU Lambert, Bertha Elizabeth [Harris] - 1907-04-04 letter to Dear Father & Mother, Brothers & Sisters

Entry/Object ID

1990.1.363

Context

My Dear Father & Mother Brothers & Sisters Here you all are again and I hardly know what to do with you. Yes of course I'm glad you came. I wouldn't have missed your visit for any thing, but as you see every thing from the library to the kitchen is turned upside down or inside out or some other way. There's nothing in the world just like house-cleaning and I presume none of you want to find out very much more about it so I'll just hurry you on your way this time. This leaves us all in very fair health at present. Joe has just gotten up from quite a siege of grippe and sciatica, was in bed two weeks and is still troubled some with lameness. I had my hands quite full while Joe was sick, acting as housekeeper, nurse, pastor's assistance & etc. We tried to get help but that seemed impossible so I managed to keep things along until Joe got so he could sit up a little. Then I got sick with rheumatism and we had some amusing times. The neighbors just had to come in and take care of us for a few days. [...] but, "It is an ill wind that blows nobody good." By that time the water was so high that the schools and factories had to be closed so we had plenty of help at our disposal. We are back feeling quite well now and are very thankful things were no worse. Yes it seems our little city has been doomed to clalmity the past winter, two strikes and two floods inside of four months time has made it very hard on our people. Jan 20th the first flood reached its crest and Mch 17th the second. At first we were almost horrified to se the waters creeping up foot by foot, inch by inch, driving thousands from their homes and causing general destruction every where. But people took it so good — naturally. Every body was out watching the water, and many would not have missed seeing for a fortune. People who possessed an upstairs and a boat seemed perfectly happy but as we owned neither we felt somewhat anxious. We had the tacks out of our carpets and everything out of the cellar besides some some of our clothing packed. We had planned to go to the upstairs rooms of the church where we would be high and dry. But the children were sadly disappointed. The water only came to our front gate. All day Sun. plenty of boats were in sight. The boys had their playthings packed for about a week and it was a sore disappointment to them that we did not have to move. The water was turned off for several days and we had no gas for over a week. We had our hard coal burner and an old gasoline stove so we fared better than most people. It was no uncommon sight to see some one running from a neighbor's with a crock of beans or a skillet of meat. People had nothing to do but make themselves comfortable if possible so the women, yes and even the men to a little more time than usual to talk. The second time the water came up withing a few inches of the first and went through with about the same program, but it was not quite so bad for people as it was quite warm. But I have seen enough of high water to hope we will have no more for awhile. Things are starting up as usual again, and we hope to be able to settle down to our regular work again. Next week Apr. 10–11 the Womans Missionary Convention of S.E. Ohio Conference convenes at our church, Carrie & Mother are coming and I wish you might all be with us. We expect from 40 to 60 delegates. Expect to give them dinner and supper at the church and take them to our homes at night. What was that Mother said about them being "rather behind?" I thought they had the best letters in the bunch. They both got so poetical I kept wondering what was coming next. Alva what was it you said about Joe's weddings, something about under-bidding. You see that's all the trouble a minister can't set his price and sometimes it isn't any thing. Well I fear you've all staid so long now that I'll have to pay a fine. If I do I'll try and let you get a peek at our boys next time. Of course we must hear from Grace and Lindley. We had the pleasure of having them in our home for dinner. Much love to you all Bertha L. Harris Apr 4, Portsmouth, O.