Mt Idaho Dec 6^th 1890

Kate – dear Sister
I send in the mail with this two packages which Trescott brought me, and which I opened far enough to see that they were not for the Kamiah Christmas Tree as I so hoped they were. There has not a package or word of one come yet. I am so sorry. You know now perhaps that I have had a felon on my right thumb (front, middle of first joint) so that I could not write (a bit a time) save one little scribble. Oh but I have suffered - yesterday was the first day I could thread a needle with it. The ‘core’ is not all out yet.

I send in this a check on the 1^st Nat. Bank of Lewiston for $5.00 for floor oil cloth for my room, I cannot scrub the places of my floor my carpet does not cover any more. The last time I did it I nearly fainted after it. There is none here, or in Grangeville. I though you or Mrs or Mr M^cConnville would be so kind as to select it and buy it in Lewiston and [illegible] to me the very earliest moment possible. I am ashamed of this dirty floor and I cannot help it. I want the floor Oil Cloth for my own front room green, to suit my carpet, or gray to suit this blanket on my floor. I want it small figured. If you cannot possibly get green or gray, then, some dark colors like that on your kitchen floor. I liked that. I like brown oil cloth too. As it will probably last as long as I need it, and as it is for my ‘living room’ where it will be in my sight all the time, I want it as pretty as possible, and in taste with the colors in the rest of the room if possible.

I need 6 ½ yards of yard wide oil cloth. If it is 2 yards wide, 3 ¼ yards will do. I do not know the price. Mary felt though perhaps 75 cts or $1.00 a yard. If it is 75 cts or less then send to the amount of the $5.00 worth of it. I can find use for it. If the 6 ½ yds (or 3 ½ double width) costs more than $5.00 then tell the merchant to send me the bill for the balance, with the oil cloth and I will send that balance to him at once (D.V.) Do, please get, and send the Oilcloth to me the very soonest possible, Kate will you not? I though perhaps you would be going in to Lewiston soon, about Christmas matters. And that Mrs or Mr M^cConnville probably would too. If you are not going to Lewiston soon please ask Mrs or Mr M^cConnville to do this for me. I know they will help me if they possibly can.

Even besides my hand, my work taxes my strength heavily this year. Last year so utterly wore me out – but thank God for what he as done about Robert – with the Board too – cleared.

There is no minister here yet to help me with the men. Mrs Shearer began this week teaching the women (in Mr Nelsons school room in the afternoons). They & husbands are very much pleased so far. Robert comes often to study. You know that Mr D without saying a word to me ordered Parsons to go to Wellpinit until April. Parsons does not go. He & Emma remain here & study both of them if God wills. You know Moses has gone to the Yakimas. And you know all about the new church at Kamiah & other K matters.

Archie is only going to remain at K until he finishes church & then he says when he will place Silas &c in charge of the new church and he himself will go to the Crows &c which means Archie to Lapwai – as soon as Jim, Moses, Edward and As other helpers, can get Peter worked out, of the Lapwai church – or to resign. That is why Archie did not want to be installed pastor at Kamiah Silas for Kamiah – Archie for Lapwai. Kate – help Peter all you can. You do not know all. Robert is sorry for Peter. Tell Peter I pray for him every day to God. Tell him to write to me & study much.

And you too Kate write to me at once please. Tell me everything. Don’t worry about schoolroom work. There is plenty to do for the Master even outside. I am finishing this by candlelight. Good night and may God guide you & strengthen you prays

Sister Sue
Please give my love to Mrs M^cConnville & kind regards to her husband. I am so glad you are near them.

Kate do send all you can towards a Christmas Tree at Kamiah. I can see Robert longs for it to give a little ‘aishin’ to his little flock after their year of bondage. If I had only known in time. But it was too late when your letter came, besides this hand.