In Search Of Love: The Story of A Mail Order Bride (Mail Order Bride Series) Read Free Page B

their women to be smarter.  That’s too bad.  If he’s that way, then I wouldn’t be interested anyway.   She finished the letter by telling of her desire to correspond.  On her way to work the next morning, she put the letter in the mail.
     
    * * *
     
    Patrick reread the letter… five or six times, then sat down to compose an answer.  Trying to be as open as possible about himself, he began…
     
    Dear #1968,
    As the ad said, I am twenty-five years of age and am homesteading a farm in the brand new state of Oregon.  I am the youngest of five children, with two sisters and two brothers.  My family lives on a large farm nearby.  My father came to America as a very small boy and was brought up in a culture where the oldest son inherits the family resources. 
     
    It is for this reason, I moved away from home and homesteaded my own claim.  At the time I filed, you were awarded 640 acres.  It has since been lowered to 160 acres.  All I had to do to get clear title is live on the land for five years and prove it up.  Proving up means you make improvements to show your intent to make it your permanent home.  I have done that and the land is now mine.  My farm is too small to raise cattle, but is a nice size for farming.  My crops are wheat and strawberries.
     
    With the help of my brothers, Papa and my neighbors, we built a log cabin, and a barn.  Since you are a teacher, I suppose you come from a nice home.  I also come from a nice home, but where I live now is basic.  It is a shelter.  I have two horses and a cow.  I need to get fencing to protect the crops.  I would like to make more improvements, but unfortunately, there was a plague of grasshoppers last year and I lost my entire crop of wheat.  I had an entire years work with nothing to show for it.  I am hopeful the good Lord will keep the grasshoppers away.  I have to make it on my own.  I have to.
     
    I completed school at the Catholic school in the town closest to us.  Did I mention I am Catholic?  I thought I had better get that in the open.  As my ad says, I am poor, but I am honest.  In my letters, you will find nothing but the truth.
     
    I apologize for the rambling nature of this letter, but I have no experience in letter writing.  This is the very first one I’ve written.  Hopeful for a reply, I am sincerely, #1892.  The letter was mailed the next day.
     
    * * *
     
    The mail brought a reply from #1892.  Reading the letter, Katerina thought, This is a fine man.  He is not afraid to work.  To go off on his own took courage.  He seems to have a strong feeling for his family.  Catholic?  He’s Catholic.  Mama would be shocked.  I’ve never even spoken to one of the Catholic faith before.  It isn’t that much different from our Lutheran church.  The Catholic.  Even though the Lord sent a Biblical plague of grasshoppers he did not give up.  A strong man, this one.  I want to hear more from him.
     
    She replied, “Dear 1892, I am in receipt of your letter.  I was most pleased to find you wished further correspondence.  I am the only child of a shoemaker and live in Ohio.  I am a mathematics teacher in the public schools in our town, and I especially enjoy geography.  I sew and have learned to cook from my mother.  There are limited prospects in our town due to the recent war and since they closed the Army camp, business hasn’t been too good.  I would be pleased to hear what you do and the area in which you live.  Sincerely, I am #1968.”
     
    * * *
     
    In Oregon City, the general store was also  the post office.  Patrick usually received his mail when he went to town for supplies.  On a Tuesday, his mail included the second letter from #1968.  He read the letter, then put it inside his shirt to be reread later.
     
    After feeding and caring for his livestock, he drew some fresh water from the well, and heated a pot of beans and bacon for his dinner.  As he reread the letter, he thought , She’s