
[Headlines from The New York Times (page 1, above the fold) to place the letters in context of the world around them.]
FARMERS DONATE 15,000,000 BUSHELS OF CORN TO HOOVER
Mid-Western Growers to Feed the World's Starving—Will Appeal to Millers.

General Offices and Works
Newark, N. J.
Everett Wash
Jan 23, 1921
My dear Girl,
Your good letter was received some time ago and I was glad to get it. You know that the days are full of hard work just now so you will understand why I have not written before.
I was so glad that I can see you all there in the house. It is a great comfort. Every Sunday morning I go to church with both families and sometimes my imagination becomes so active that I look around to see if some of you are really near by.
I got on the Rolles last week and the xxxx is fine. Had some to spare, my sales were $1290.55. I am

going to work for another good week but have a good many misgivings about the result. An order for $523.00 in Monthly Service last week helped me out.
You tell that dear old Dad of yours that I think it is a pity he can not write to me. I know he is nothing like a hero. But I have written him twice and it is about time for him to brace up.
Everett is a very attractive city of about 35,000. The streets are wide and well paved and there is an atmosphere about the place that I like. It is very dull here just now owing to the closing down of the lumber mills. The scenery about the city is very grand and inspiring. Looking to the Eastward one sees the mighty snow-capped peaks of the Cascades. as their towering majesty is impressed upon us, and I

instinctively say “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help” And then one looks away to the west and across Puget Sound the Olympic Mountains also covered with snow, lift their mighty peaks heavenward and receive the last glow of the glorious setting sun. Give [brother] Frank a good big lot of love and tell him
I should like to hear from him.
Love to momma and of course a good generous share for Betty and Marion.
Write me again some day.
Your affectionate Uncle
Frank S. Briggs
Kind regards to Roxy [the family dog]

Editor's notes
The mystery of which Frank works for The Osborne Calendar Company is solved. Frank Briggs, John’s brother, is the “Frank” to which John and Sue refer in their letters. Sue’s sister Bess is also married to a Frank so this wasn’t clear to me before. Frank seems to have been given a territory in the West. I find it intriguing that Frank is writing to his niece, who is a sophomore in high school about the details of his job, including his sales figures for the week. I have a lot to learn about all these relationships.
Uncle Frank also gives his regards to the family dog. I'm including this picture of a dog although I don't think this is the dog to whom he is referencing. The back of the picture says "Susan Briggs with her Michaloff of Petrograd." However this is the only photo of a dog in the collection I have. Also, Susan (Sue) is standing outside the house on North Main Street in Earlville where I spent my summers as a child. They didn't purchase this house until 1922. If you note the three stained glass windows over Sue's head, they are in the dining room of the house and I have one of the glass pieces in my home. Susan removed them in the 1960's because they were too old-fashioned.
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