5th Batch of Augusta's Letters

The Berg family in 1911 - Madge (Lenchen), Albert, Walter in back row,

Martin, Fred & Augusta in front. I assume that Lydia took the picture.

Aug 1922 - "... Papa is still here, but I think he is going this week. He has been working a good deal around the place, and I think his back is much better ... Today Walter put up the dining room curtains. Lenchen got them from Sears and Roebuck ... I can't half straighten things till Papa's duds are out of the way ... next thing, Walter wants to build a chicken house ... his own self ... What about the piano? ... I wish it could be sent ... Lenchen would enjoy it so much."

31 Aug 1922 - "... Walter looks like a candidate for the grave ... Lenchen though is doing nicely now ... Mrs. Vincent brought over a bottle of cough syrup, and made him (Walter) take it every time he coughed, and it did him good ..."

3 Sep 1922 - "... Well, honey boy, accept my best wishes for your coming birthday. God bless my darling boy ... that is my daily prayer ... even our little temporal worries and anxieties are in the hands of the Lord ... he will turn and twist everything to our best. Hasn't he dealt kindly with me? Who would have thought 8 years ago when I was worse off than the man without a country ... who could have thought of this great blessing the Lord had in store for me ... I am so happy ... sometimes I feel as if it's only a sweet dream. But it is a sure enough reality. He has brought us so far .. He will see us through ... and He will lift all those heavy stones that yet are weighing us down. I say he will lift them from us and cast them away. How and when? That's not my business ... This is such a pretty comfortable little place ... I cant see how it could be more convenient for our needs. The living room has a fireplace and built-in bookshelves ... just big enough for a family library ... and my darling kitchen! I can even have a rocking chair in it ... This is the first place since I'm in Tampa, that has sufficient light ... Papa will only be here a week yet. He still has a sore back, but I'm afraid he never would get over it here, he has too much time to think about it ... Lyddi writes that Ossorio is always spitting blood, but otherwise seems a little better again ..."

7 Sep 1922 - "... My thoughts travel back 28 years ago. I guess Lyddi remembers those times very plain yet, when (Papa) told the children to look under the cupboard ... he believed they would find a baby there ... yes, those times are past, and worry has taken the place of play and fun. But through it all we travel step after step to our real home. My, but won't we be happy when we land there ..."

10 Sep 1922 - "... how time flies. I can't realize that my helpless little babies are men and women now. God bless them all ... was thinking of you yesterday on your birthday ... No, don't think so hard of Lyddi ... I guess she suffers more than enough ... and don't you ever think that she does not love you any more ... some day everything will be straightened out again, and we will all be happy once more. I think Papa has attended to this last one too. Last year at this time I thought that I could not live through the agony that was poured over me ... but the Lord has soothed me ... and has opened Lenchen's eyes to her foolishness ... and He will set everything aright again. The time will soon come when we will all be happy again ... Martin did get the fever after all, but he is getting over it better than anyone else. Walter worked on the place this morning ... he was awful weak at first ... looked so ghostly ... saw him a few times lean against the house, but he kept on, and I believe he is feeling better already ... he needs outside exercise ... Whichever way I look at it I think this home is a Godsend ... it's going to be a blessing to us ... I think Papa will leave this week for NC .. he dreads the trip ... his back is still sore ... but I really think if he could get his thoughts off of his troubles, he would get over it quicker. Now he has absolutely nothing to do but to smoke and read and think about his back ..."

1 Oct 1922 - "... it's not grand and pretentious, but it's the darlingest home I ever saw. Now maybe other people might not think so, but to us it is ... it has such a peaceful homelike atmosphere, it seems every nook and corner in this little place breathes peace and rest. I know you are going to like it. I only wish our Allie boy could enjoy it with us ... Walter and I put in a little strawberry patch ... about 100 plants ... he says we might eat strawberries by Christmas ... Walter is picking up fine. He has such interest in the place and I can see that he is proud of our little home ... Went to church today for the first time since we live here ... Martin took me ..."

8 Oct 1922 - "... Now listen, I'm going to send you back these last two checks. I really don't need anything personally ... I certainly appreciate your affectionate gift, but I don't need a thing right now ... please don't send me anything for a while ... some good news about Martin ... he got a raise again ... $23 a week now ... he was told that he was giving satisfaction and to stay with them and he wouldn't be sorry for it. Walter says it's a good company to work for. Martin likes it fine ... likes the work and likes the people ... he comes home very early now .. even when he goes to see Bunny ... I've got everything just about the way I want it in the house ... now, I must put my attention to the outdoors ... tomorrow I am going to plant flowers ... the strawberries are not doing so well ... that scorching sun."

15 Oct 1922 - "Walter said he sent you some pictures of the house ... well, how do you like it? We sure get many compliments on it ... I'm glad people think that way, it is so encouraging for Walter, for I think he was aggravated to the utmost with the carpenters. Now, if he hears those compliments on his little place, it makes him feel more satisfied and makes him feel real proud ... I think it'll take almost a year before the yard will do full justice to our work, but in due time it's going to be a beautiful spot ..."