8 April 1887, Letter from Johann Peter Frautschi to his brother Christian Frautschi

University of Wisconsin-Madison. Max Kade Institute. Frautschi Letters (MKI/Frautschi3/JP1887E)

Electronic version: http://frautschi-letters.mki.wisc.edu/let/JP1887/JohannPeter1887.html

Elizabeth,

8. April 1887

Dear Brother,


I did receive your letter. I would be very pleased if you could visit us this summer. The train goes to our town. My health has very slowly been getting a little better for about a year.

Last winter, I could do no more than barely stand on my feet for ten minutes. This winter, I can make it for half a day on my feet, and also go for a while without a cane; however, I normally need two canes to walk, because my feet or my legs become too tired otherwise. I can also cut and saw wood. My wife and Elise take care of the livestock and of the housework as well.

Albert and Herman go to the English school about an hour away. I must keep Albert at home to sow.

This winter, it was often quite cold here, ­ 20 to 30 degrees, even 38 degrees under zero once.

We are doing fairly well, nothing to complain about, one gets used to everything eventually, and I have no pain and could always be on the tractor this summer and cut hay and crops.

Earlier, I have often prayed to my beloved God to please let me live until the children can help themselves.

Now I often think of the late Gristin Mäzeune. She had difficulty moving with two canes, nobody made much fuss about it, the nature . . .

I know people up here who touched Cannabis and had to stay in bed, could not move, they could not even feed themselves, and after a few months they were healthy again.

I am copying to you at the end yet another verse which I read today on a card that we took with us from Saanen: "Let me die faithful with you daily on your cross, O Jesus, and die my garment in your blood, so that I can inherit with you, that I may come to God through necessity and death, through derision and mockery to the crown of honor, through tragedy to true happiness, through the cross and pain into heaven...

Jesus, before I must grow old, and before life and senses yield, let me obtain your end through death and the stigmata."

I hope that this letter find you all happy.
Heartfelt greetings to all.
J. Peter Frautschi