May 22, 1929. Mrs. T. I. Sappington, 419 8th Ave South, Great Falls, Mont. Dear Marie: Your letter for my birthday was received. It’s nice that you remembered it and I appreciate the nice, long letter you wrote. This past month has been rather a full one and I don’t seem to have gotten down to doing very much of anything as interruptions are my main occupation. I’m awful sorry that you couldn’t spend the summer with me at the Lake but I appreciate your position and you are doing absolutely right to stay at home and take care of your family and I do not want to go through the hectic time again this summer that I did last year, trying to get someone as the plan now is that many people will visit me during the summer and it is no fun to try to entertain and have the food ready for good appetites without someone behind the wheel that is responsible, so as long as you could not come, I have been successful in getting Levina (she is the woman who is with me now) to go up on the train and meet me at Belton. She will not leave here until we are well on our way and then come directly to the Lake and be there the same day we are; then Ted will be able to help on the water and get things in shape. It would be too hard for you to do it without someone who knew all the little things that had to be put together in that water works. I sure appreciate your kindness and goodness to me but, Marie, I can’t ask anybody to do that as I, myself, do not know where the little plugs all are. Nobody knows but Ted and Christ. The picture you painted of my little cabin ready for me to crawl into a nice aired warm bed is almost too much for me but it isn’t fair to expect anybody to do the impossible so we will have to open camp when we arrive. I’m glad I am going to have the same person with me all summer. During the summer, I expect to go to GreatFalls[sic] and will sure give you a ring and have a look at you when I’m there. All good luck to you and yours. Sincerely, NCR:ED [Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-12-20]