Letter to Mabel from Carl August 12, 1908

              Chicago, Ill
August 12, 1908
Dear Mabel:
	Last Saturday I had the very best intentions with reference to an answer to your welcome letter of last week, but after I had dismissed the confirmation class, Rev. Oslund called me in and informed me that I would be expected to preach in English at the song services Sunday night, and besides I had to go down town that afternoon, so I didn't find time to carry out my good intentions. 
	Accordingly, I preached Sunday eve and we had a very good attendance and good music.
	Last Sunday morning I attended church with brother Julius' congregation on the north side.
	Say! I have some "awfully" good news to tell you. The first is that after four weeks of dry, warm, uncomfortable weather we've  been blessed with the finest rain and we appreciate it dearly. But the best, is this that the proclaimed school in Bethlehem church, Englewood, is since last Tuesday no linger in session. Isn't that nice? I am perfectly convinced that it is. 
	I have just today found out that I am very 'obscure' of course I might have known it before. My landlord, Mr. Peterson told me when I came home after supper this evening that he thought Rev. Oslund was organizing a party to search for me, and he tried to convince me that it was no joke, either.
	This is how it comes about. Last Monday I went to the north side to attend a meeting of the S.S. teachers of that district. I stayed at brother's house over night and then yesterday we went on that excursion to Waukegan (we means "hela st�kten"). Returning about seven thirty we attended the opening session of the Luther League of America in Dr. Ewald's church. During the meeting is began to rain "something terrible" so that we could not leave church until after eleven, and then it still kept on raining. I went along to the north side again and didn't come back here until this noon and Rev. has not seen me yet. I didn't ask him last Monday if I could go, nor did I tell him of my intention of going anywhere, so that when he did not see me, he thought that I had been kidnapped or something like that, and for that reason was about to make a systematic search for me.
	Now I don't teach any longer, my work consists in rearranging and rewriting all the church books, and that will keep me out of further mischief for several weeks.
	That fishing party must have been a jolly sight. But when you go fishing you should never take pillows with, lest you become lazy and you should not take any lunch with, for you can always catch fish best when real hungry. This is said in general of people who go fishing.
	Some days ago, when I was in Oakdale, I had a chance to play two games of croquet, and the pleasure of winning was all mine, so perhaps you may not lay exclusive claim to the championship.
	May I not come to O. even if I do not preach? Besides I doubt if my 'practicing' would be tolerated. When I have deposited this in the box at the corner about a block away, it is time for a sleepy boy who can't write straight, to go to sleep.
				Greetings to all,
						Carl