From: Krasna, Bessarabia
12 June 1912
Dear Editor!
I thank you very much for your newspaper. Through your newspaper I have progressed to a point where I too am informed about what goes on in the world nowadays. I know more now than I did a year ago.
Now it does not come as a surprise to me anymore that my acquaintances in America write so much in the newspaper. It happens like the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect.” If I had read the newspaper as long as they have over there, then I would write in High German also. If it came right down to it, I think that I could write in High German too. This week I intend to sit down and write a small article in High German for the first time. If it turns out all right then I will turn the pen loose and also order the Staats-Anzeiger. But that will be later on when I have made some money from the wheat.
The wheat here looks great. Lately, I have wondered if I should not write in High German and see if the editor would accept it, but I am afraid that I would make mistakes. Then all of America over there would laugh. I had in mind to start as such, “Honored Mr. Editor: Since I also know how to write in High German, I want to write a small article as a test.” But when I wanted to start the article, I stood there like an ox in front of a mountain. However, I think if I set aside a week for it I would succeed. I watched Gedak. The pen in his hand moves like the devil. Every time I thought if I could write like that, then to hell with everyone.
Next week I will write a piece in High German and send it in, but without a name so those in America cannot make fun of it. Then when it is published I will see how it is. If it is acceptable then I will not write simplemindedly any more. Then I will write like all other people and even sign my name to it. (*Editor: Well now, Mr. Farmer may do as he pleases. However, we assure him that his articles written in a Russian-German dialect are well liked and read.) I am worried about the name, but with the truth I should succeed everywhere. Then whoever has any objections can sue me.
Now, dear pal Niklos [Nikolaus] Kahl, I will soon give you competition in writing.
Then when I subscribe to the paper and also enter my name in it, you will not be able to determine that I wrote so naively earlier on. I will order the newspaper amidst orders from other people, but later I will write you a letter about it. You would like to have a letter about it from me now and I would write you one, but I do not trust you, you could snitch on me in the newspaper.
Once again, I send you and all the people from Krasna in the New World, a cordial greeting.
A Farmer