To CC Ballou from Bertha Ballou –
238 Hemmingway Street , Boston
Dear Papa,
I am sorry that I did not telegraph you about the concours. If I had known that you would be as distressed about the candlesticks I would have done so in order that you might have the concours as an offset for other disturbances in Christmas – as I had. I’m not surprised that Lenn and Emily were delighted with their candlesticks – anyone might well be. I was with mine. It was a lovely gift and I appreciated your desire to make one a beautiful present and one that you knew I had greatly admired more the less because they came in _____ condition _____ while I _____ __________________________________________________________________ …and the makeup and will _____ _____ little box and ship them as soon as I get a reply and my letter.
I am glad Lenn and Emily are home. I liked the little things I sent them _____ they were not expensive. I ______ is wasn’t a very useful present but was at least one more permanent asset and not hard to send. I wondered how my gift could have reached you so soon. I did not finish it until too late as the days were very dark and cloudy and I could not work long in the afternoons. I’m afraid, too, that it has been very slow in reading you.
My holiday was quite uneventful. A _____ _____ sent me to the dentist ________________________________________________ …but on the ______, I had a pleasant time. General _____ and Mrs. Hersey is _____ called Sunday afternoon is ______ of receiving a card from you. They are all looking quite well. I _____ intended to call on Mrs. Page on New Year’s Day but the eight or ten inches of snow under foot was added a _____ rain and that was too much for my resolution. I will get over there very soon however.
Today I started on a four-foot canvas and in the afternoon began modeling. I think it will all be valuable.
With much love to yourself and all the family.
From,
Bertha
January 2nd, 1923