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Translated from Danish by Eleanor Freeman.
Dear Paul Freeman!
Many thanks for the pictures you sent me. I sent a letter to you last in January, but I think you did not get it since I have not had a letter in the last month. Thanks for the calendar you sent to Herman. We didn't have one this year, since Jens Bramsen, who usually gives Herman one, did not turn up this year.
I am amused that you have a good friend at your place and also a dog, as I rather thought that you didn't care for domestic animals, but when Charlie is doing the washing and darning socks he can take care of the dog, too. Is he housekeeper for you, - or perhaps he only visits you for it is not so busy at this time.
Everything is about as usual in Stenderup. Yes, my father has been sick for a while. Your sister Thea is also sick now. Her sickness is perhaps chronic. I was at your mother's yesterday with my good friend, the nurse. Kerstine Petersen and my friendship is nearly at an end, for she was so difficult to get along with, and I sought another girl friend. As I know her, she is always pleasant, and she lives in the same house as Thuesen's and Ind Jensen; I think you saw her in the summer. She has certainly a charming and cozy little home, so I visit her generally every Sunday when she is not out nursing. I have thought of learning nursing. It costs 300 kr. at Lukes's Institute in Koebenhavn, but when one can get a good job as a community nurse, the pay is 450 kr. a year with free housing. It is not such an easy year learning it, but I am certainly strong enough to stand it as well as others can. I must also do well for my parents, but Herman does not like it. Still, it is not for him to decide.
I didn't go to Rasmus Vrang's to your Morbroder's birthday for I was at the Christmas tree at church (Missionshuset - home mission, evangelical branch of the Church of Denmark) that day. The Sunday School children had the Christmas tree in the afternoon, and in the forenoon I was there to decorate the Christmas tree. Mother and Father sent a message to me, but the others thought I ought to remain to help set the chocolate table for the grownups in the evening. I had no inclination to go there afterwards, for there were only Hans Holm and his wife with Lorentz Holm and his little son. I must go there soon to give my excuses since I had promised to go.
Now there will be church some evenings in the next month, and there will be some meetings in Missionshuset, from what I hear. That is also good. This evening I will go to the service, and tomorrow evening I will go to sing at Missionshuset. We are nearly half a hundred that will sing during the coming month in church and at the meetings in Missionshuset. Teacher Brecher in Stenderupskov and our assistant teacher here are choir masters. I think that it is so nice to have good singing in the church. There has been poor church singing here so it is good that it will be a little better.
Now I think you have had all the news there is to know. I have forgotten to tell about the unfortunate ride Fru and Hr. Knudsen and Niels Moos had before Christmas. I was so sorry to hear that the Knudsen's poor children must celebrate Christmas without their mother, but I heard yesterday that Fru Knudsen is coming home from the hospital again. You have probably already heard that from her, and your mother planned to write you soon.
(2021: Found in an old newspaper from 20th December, 1905: The accident happened at the mill of Dalby. The passengers were the driver and another man as well as the Knudsen's. The carriage turned upside down, and the passengers were thrown out of the carriage. The men did not suffer much but Fru Knudsen was badly injured and was brought to the hospital).
Now I must close with my wishes that you do not regard me so badly as Fru Knudsen does, and with affectionate wishes from your friend,
Emma Schmidt