Anna And Rosie: 3 - Anna And Rosie
...Pa took us into Jimtown last weekend. and we had a picture took of the bunch of us the other day from a fancy photograph man. Alec, who you know is their favourite, kept shutting his eyes so we had to do it over again. But once his eyes were open, it was okay...
Jean Day brings us a taste of life in small-town mid-America in the early days of last century by presenting vigorous letters written by two sisters, Anna and Rosie, whose parents were Polish immigrants.
The story continues tomorrow.
Read also Jean's absorbing historical tale Consequences. Click on that title in the menu on this page.
Christmas, 1902
Dear Aunt Anna
Pa took us into Jimtown last weekend. and we had a picture took of the bunch of us the other day from a fancy photograph man. Alec, who you know is their favourite, kept shutting his eyes so we had to do it over again. But once his eyes were open, it was okay, no matter what the rest of us kids looked like.
I have such a big mouth. I tried to draw my lips in so they weren’t all over, and on the first photo they were fine, but on the one they chose, my lips are a mess. I will see if we can send you a copy.
Moma doesn’t do very well with English. She makes us learn our prayers and the Ten Commandments in Polish. And of course the priest at Fried church says the sermon in Polish too. Sometimes when the men come for confession just before Christmas or Easter, and they push each other to get to the front of the line, we hear him calling them cattle. We know that much Polish anyway.
Moma loves to sew and makes me dresses with lots of ruffles. I am pleased that now when I get too big for them, I can save them for my new sister Anna.
Love
Rosie
