[Partial translation]

23 September 1938 [Mother]

[...]many thanks for your letters[...] with regard to Paul’s photo, Father wants me to tell you that Paul favors you. He can still see you the way you used to quickly finish the milk container at night, before going to bed, to make sure the milk would not go sour[...] I am happy that he is getting so big and strong. Paul and Herbert changed the most this year[...]yesterday Father went to Steeden to dig up potatoes. They told us that they are again getting lots of potatoes and wanted to give us some. Then every helping hand is welcome. Father will stay there a while, it will be good for him, the weather is nice. Here the summer was also quite warm, and until we notice it in the apartment it is all right with us. We have a completely different climate from yours[...]here in the city they are making nice green spaces everywhere. For instance there was an empty corner at the Boseplatz, now they planted grass and bushes, and there are several benches which are always occupied. The same happened last week at the Faulbrunnenplatz. There is a Milchhäuschen [small cafe] in one corner, one side has beautiful flowers, the rest grass and benches. Just now they are putting up a large building next to the school at the Boseplatz, it will be the new employment office[...]the city is still building developments. At the Waldstrasse there is one of houses with three or four stories, soon they will be filled, but the city is not keeping them up well. The city makes improvements, but only what is necessary. The houses with small apartments are the most profitable, you can see that with the Kirchenhaus [apartment house owned by the church] in the Kiedrichstrasse. One floor has three two-room apartments. The fellowship hall of our church turned out very well. The parish renovated the place for 18,000 marks. It still owes 600. Herr Lemp has been managing the house for several years, the stairs and everything are well cared for and he said that almost every month he is able to deposit 100 marks for the church. Karl Martin from Frankfurt was here on Sunday and looked at the organ in our church, because Frankfurt would like to get one also, and from here he continued on to Cologne, there he wants to attend the trade fair on Monday. He has one of the best positions in the business, travels to all the conferences. I think he is also well paid. He invited us to the mission festival. Johanna complains of a sore throat, part of the flu which is all around us. Albert Fink has been in bed for over a week. The doctor came twice a day to clean off the tonsils where the poison accumulates; thus he makes sure it does not enter the kidneys. Albert suffers a lot, he has bad kidneys and a stomach which only can digest fine foods [Delikatessen]. Albert is overworked with his business, because none of his brothers-in-law can relieve him much. Now he has been fighting for weeks in Frankfurt for a Jewish business. It is supposed to be one of the best [shoe] stores in Frankfurt. It is almost time for the opening and the owner is in bed and cannot be there, that gives him the rest. If something should happen to Albert to others might as well quit. They actually have enough stores already, two here and two in Darmstadt, one would think that is enough, but man is never satisfied[...] Johanna is doing the work all right, but she does not like all the upheaval, there are constantly extra guests for dinner or coffee. Yesterday she said that she would not cook much for supper, they would just eat the leftovers, but when she got there Paul Schmidt had just had coffee there and Dillmann was there from Frankfurt with an enormous appetite and that’s how it goes, when one leaves another one gets there. Perhaps the work is not as taxing as factory work, but the many things in a household have to all run smoothly, because Frau Fink does not do anything, not even decide the menu[...] Father also has his part of housework, but he still does not do it to my satisfaction and then I would rather do it myself. I am always urging him to write letters so he does not forget how. Here we have very tall windows which he washes, he peals potatoes, does the dishes, beats the carpets. I do the laundry in the laundry kitchen every four weeks and the small things every two weeks in my kitchen. Here everything is still washed by hand, that is the only thing I cannot get used to. I like it really well here in Wiesbaden, if only ALL OF YOU would come every month with your car [she uses the English word] I would have no other wish. The political situation is not good, they are preparing for war and if war breaks out Father would have to be a soldier. Until one is 65 or 70 they can be drafted for work. All the unemployed were taken to the West and are working hard on the fortifications [on the border with France]. We have been amazed what has been accomplished during the last few years in the way of rearmament. Last night we had a black-out, but it was only some of the streets. In front we have roller shutters, when they are down we are fine. In the kitchen and in Johanna’s room we put up something and also made the lamps darker. I doubt it would go very fast in case of emergency, may God preserve us from it[...] We have no control if they mobilize. Father said the other day that under those circumstances they could take our coal out of the cellar. Private cars have been confiscated, also some large busses. The word is that at the big market in Frankfurt there have been about 1,600 big trucks with trailers for the last six weeks. In 1914, one did not find out anything beforehand the way one does now. Now everyone of draft age has their orders already. Let us pray that we will all be mercifully spared once again. In Frankfurt the schools have been closed for weeks, they have polio. They say that many have already died, today it was a girl of 19. It is amazing the kind of illnesses there are of which one did not used to hear before. I thank Margie for the hairnets, for the moment I have enough. I am glad that the children did not have whooping cough[...] 3 weeks ago we also had visitors from Washington. We met Herrn and Frau Schaub last year at Julius Trebus’. They are from Wetzlar and had been visiting there, Soon they will leave again. Herr Schaub rented a car in Frankfurt and visited the Trebus family and when they heard that we are also here they came to see us[...]many heartfelt Greetings, Mother.