Sender’s
name and mailing address: [Charlie Wertenberger;] Colegio
Americano, Colegio Inglés para Hombres, 22 Calle del Comercio,
Casilla 89, Concepción, Chile
Postmarks:
Concepción, December 12, 1899; Valparaíso, December 13, 1899;
Ashland, Ohio, January 11, 1900; Redhaw, Ohio, January 11,
1900
Recipient’s name and mailing address: Miss
Alice Himmelright, Redhaw, Ashland Co., Ohio, U. S. A.
Concepción,
Chile.
Dec. 11, 99
Dear People—
Dillie seems to be wracking her brains over some of the conditions of the people here in order to give you an idea of what they are like. We do not know them very well thus far, so do not get a wrong impression of them from us.
We are now getting more or less accustomed to many of the ways as well as the climate. You will be surprised when I tell you that we are getting fat. You will wonder how we get fat on nothing to eat. Well, don’t make yourself believe that we have nothing to eat because we have plenty, even[?] if we do not have fresh pork, new apple butter, apples, and all the other good things that you are enjoying. Think of our cherries, strawberries, beautiful flowers, and warm sunshine as set over against all your good things, and I do believe you would exchange them in a minute, at least for a short time.
It is still hard for us to make ourselves believe that this is springtime in spite of all the visible proofs around us. It seems to me that the leaves ought soon to fall and the cold winds blow, but it is just the opposite. Today it is quite warm. We get the sea breeze in the P.M., which is very refreshing. This is sure to come every day when it is so warm.
Dillie has told you about a few of our friends and how pleasant they make it for us. We appreciate this kindness very much indeed. We are now planning for a Sunday School picnic on Xmas. I am one of the committee on arranging for that time. We are thinking of going down near the sea where the boys say there is an ideal place for such gatherings. This may seem very odd to you to think about going to a picnic on Xmas. Well, it does seem that way to us. Little did I think one year ago when I took dinner with you, when Dillie was not there, that we would be in South America this Xmas, picnicking. Things take peculiar turns, you know. We do not know what our day will bring forth.
When we get real fat and good looking we will have our pictures taken and send you one.
It is too late to wish you a merry Xmas and happy N. Y., but take it that I am well-meaning and only a little out of date.
With love to all I close.
Chas
Transcribed 2015 by SMK
Posted Dec 31, 2018 at 21:59.
Revised Nov 27, 2022 at 20:02. EDT.
Retrieved Jun 5, 2026 at 07:27.
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