Duelm, Benton Co., MN, February 2, 1900
To Wilhelm Diekaemper Merfeld
I reply to yours of January 15th, your nice letter received January 31st, the day before yesterday.
We are happy to read that you are all still
well, as are we, and, especially what is to be expected in April, surprised me.
I thought to still arive in time to become the
god-father, as I implied in not so many words in my last letter. I had already before my
letter decided, not to leave here together with the Bruenners group but rather to join them
in Rotterdam or Paris. I had just written to find out from where the wind blew for you to
accompany us on the trip. I wanted to come to you first, since I can't take along all our
luggage on the whole trip. I was so ready to leave early May, but could actually travel
a little sooner. But until May ....... (illegible) soon to be done with the sowing, although, that could be done without me, as I don't help them, just watching that they do it right.
Today, I wrote to Mr. Dienslage for his travel
brochures. I wonder if one has to join a group and certain train or if one can stop off at
any place to stay or not. I'd like to travel to my liking, not theirs.
But, what did I say about god-father! You have
to forgive me. It may not be my turn, and I would put myself before your parents with
forward ideas, so, forget about it.
We'll come as soon as we can to give you the
best possible chance to join us on the southern Germany tour.
You write that your dear wife says, you might get
in trouble to leave for three to four weeks. What should my wife say when I leave for three
to four months? That would be more reason to get problems. Mishaps can overcome one in bed,
but one shouldn't count on that or expect it. Things can happen anywhere, and we have to
leave that in God's hand. I can imagine that the father says, it'll cost too much, but you
do have enough money to make such a short trip. Once we're dead, we can't use our money
anymore, unless we could buy ourselves heaven, though, it seems nobody could take along
very much, as such an idea is a folly, anyway.
Well, we shall wait first and see if we are
really going to heaven, "man thinks and God leads".
The feast of St. Anthony we celebrated at
Anton Struffert (born in Duelmen 1852 and emigrated 1867).
You wrote about Anton Frerick, my old school chum, and that his name is on the war
memorial. Last fall someone was here who told me that Anton Frerick had been right next
to him when he was shot. His name is Bernard Heinrich Klaverkamp
(born in Drensteinfurt 1863/ emigrated 1889). He lives about
1/2 hour from St. Cloud. He said, both men on either side of him were killed.
The Duelmener Chronicle wasn't availabe in at
least the last three months, not even once, and so, I seriously assume that it was never sent
out as usual. For a few times, one could accept that, but not for three months on end and
then to suddenly get regular again. I'll include the requested envelope. I halfway thought
that the orphan friend was lost to you, too, that that could have been the reason. But they
tempted me that he (it) still kept shining, and so, I just patiently waited further.
Now again about the travel expenses. Seems to me,
too, that they are higher, that the four days more in Paris should cost $55.00, that would be
$11.00 a day for the Hotel, isn't that a lot?
I already hired two farm hands for next summer,
but I still need a good store keeper, that might be the worst to find. But I will start
right away tonight and write to one. Time flies.
With this, I will close for now and wish you good
luck with the forthcoming and that all may go well.
Clemens
Translated by Lucia Nezelek
