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Show 240 they need her; and they have not lived long enough to identify this need. There are available only two letters written to Ellis, both from Olea in Idaho-about seven months apart. A February 1913 communication begins: "Dearest Mother: My heart is with you every moment" and continues with comments about the encouragemet she receives from her mother, and the help to meet her problems. She says she looks for her letters the way she looks for the sun to rise, because the letters and the love are that "constant." Olea's family is establishing a rural home in Churchill. They are planning for plantings and would appreciate any vine roots. The boys are baling straw to build a temporary stable, and so much extra attention has been given the baby during his recent illness that he now wants to be held all the time. Olea, having remained in bed for three days beyond the cessation of the "flowing," wonders if it would now be safe to get up. That Ellis continued financial support to her children after they established their families is evidenced in something Olea writes all around the outside margin. They have used the $100 she sent them to put the shell on the house. Although they will have to wait for the "trimmings," just seeing some progress is encouraging. They thank Mother for the money until they can pay her "better." The other letter, seven months later, is brief. She sends, pressed, the first gladiola from their new garden. That they are well and all is well is because of mother, she says. People are |