Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, H

circumstances you can hardly realise just how I am I presume this is what they all say, but I will go on. I am 53 years old have been well until within the past 3 years have been in the Mass general Hospital and had one breast removed with cancerous trouble since then have had Rheumatism have been unable to walk until the past 5 weeks and now am able to do my work for myself and husband and now he has had Rheumatism come on in one leg and can hardly get around he is working as an Express man in an Express co of long standing here he worked for them 20 years and 10 years ago went into the stable business but Electric and bicycle killed his business and he lost all he put in with a sick wife too and now he is working for the same express co again he is 53 too does not smoke or drink and very kind and patient with me, but hard luck has made us well not poor, but I will tell you I feel we can with good health keep along if my husband still is able to work but we started to have a home and mortgaged it to buy and keep up the stable business see no way of dealing that and I have so loved to work in and for our church and have not been able to help them any have not felt able to hire a sitting even and in fact owe them 25.00 now which I dont see how I am ever going to pay now they are having repairs done and I can't help any

I have been if I do say it) a prominent member of the Auxillary of the Young mens christian association was chairman of the social committte 4 years also one of the board of managers also chairman of the Reception committe 1 year in the Christian Temperance Union chairman of the Social committe 2 years in the church I am one of the board of managers in the Ladies aid and have been chairman of the Parsonage committe 4 years and on the reception com now and am now and have been since the [illegible] treasurer of the Kings Daughters and sons of our church. you can Judge by the above I have been a lover and am now of these orders and their interests and work or I should not have been kept in these places when I have not been able to go out they have called their meetings with me all the while I have been disabled. now with all the good Lord has blessed you with cant you believe one and pity me and help me so I can go on with these things oh I forgot to say I have always took in sewing enough to pay my way in all these works without takeing what no man could not spare now I cant do it in removing my breast they

were obliged to cut so deep they took a muscle from my right arm so weakened it and I was not able to move it for a long time but it is gaining all the time now I have no way of keeping these things going for my husband does not get but 11.00 a week and we are back in our Dr bill and some others but are catching up if he dont give out with his lameness. I am not going to say how much I would like you to help me for a little would be very thankfully received and I should never forget to bless you as long as I lived for putting me as the saying is on my feet again I am proud spirited some not in stress I dont mean but I dont want to tell any body how we are situated but if I could help my church and be able to have a seat then I should be happy I forgot to say it is the Central Methodist Episcopal church but never mind the creed or religion we are all running on one place now I wish you could look in and see me and see me that know me and can tell you how I have suffered and what I have done the past 5 years and that you could feel that you would help me oh if you would wouldn't I pray for your happiness and for showers of Blessing if you cant help my church oh do help me. we are well known here oh may the Lord help you to make my xmas happy

[printed Letterhead:

Office of Harrison Drug Co,. cor. Tenth and Marshall Sts. Little Rock, Ark.] 12/14 1901

Mrs Jane L. Stanford Sanfrancisco, Cal,

Dear Madam

Noticing your princely gifts of late for Educational purposes inspires me to write these lines to you in the interest of my Daughter Agnes, who is a talented musician and I have not the means to give her the advantages she so richly deserves.

She wants someone to furnish her money to complete her musical Education in this country and abroad and know of no one better to call on than yourself, my Daughter proposes to pay back every dollar furnished her out of her earnings from her music. If you are interested enough I can furnish every reference desired as to myself and to her professors as

C.U. HARRISON J.G. MANN Office of Harrison Drug Co., Cor. Tenth and Marshall Sts.

Little Rock, Ark. __ 190__

to her ability &ct., Not wishing to tax your valuabl time further, I beg to subscribe

Very Respectfully C. U. Harrison