From: Krasna, Bessarabia
24 February 1911

It has been four weeks since my last correspondence. I thought about writing for our friends in America and Canada a few times, but interesting things are hard to come by. (*Publisher: All your efforts are appreciated.)

The weather has changed rapidly. We had a harsh cold spell from 16 January through 4 February, with temperatures from -4 to -20. Thaw started on 5 February and it warmed up more each day. Farmers are talking about doing fieldwork soon, such as plowing and tilling, etc. The seed is ready. Larks sing their morning and evening song to honor our dear Creator and to inform the farmers that spring is coming.

 It is a deep blessing
 Bestowed with the song of a bird
 So, now and evermore
 Do your duty in diligence!

The birds are thankful to the Creator too, for surviving the elements and for now being able to frolic in green pastures and hunt for nourishment without snow. No matter how the close of the year will come, a bit of spring always comes with it.

I was glad to read in #30 of the publication, the correspondence sent in by Mr. Joseph Schnell formerly of Krasna and now of Maple Creek, Canada. He talked about Mr. R. [Reinhold?] Heidrich, whom I have known since a child. I was surprised to learn that he ran from a bear and hid under the bed for 3 days. Back in Krasna, South Russia, he was always a courageous lad, and as long as the sun was shining and he did not run into a black cat or someone cracked a whip unexpectedly behind him, he was fine. Otherwise, he would usually lock himself in the stable until he heard his mom in the morning, when she rose to milk the cows, or someone would convince him that it was daylight outside.

So, greetings to Mr. Schnell and please do write again soon. Greetings also to Nikolaus Engel in Happyland, Canada. Sorry to hear about the ruffians you have there, especially the ones taking out their ire on helpless creatures. Such rude and crude behavior tends to be the result of severely insulted self-love. Vanity leads to decay. Humility reaps grace. And time is fleeting in joy and in sorrow, the hour calls the time and morning admonishes as evening speaks: a day is brief, do your duty, and you shall reap what you sow.

Pius Tischner of Krasna has been a wagon dealer for many years and many of our friends in America and Canada will still remember him. Last week, Mr.Tischner took three old wagons to market at Tarutino and there, he bought three more. So, he had six wagons total, but only sold two of them.

The market was not crowded due to poor road conditions, so business was poor and the vendors all decided to have a few drinks, also our friend Tischner. He took three wagons and drove home, but there, he was missing a tidy sum of money. He had not told his wife of the missing money; just assured her that business was okay. She took the money to see how much he had drunk away. Thirteen rubles were missing and the wife called him a few choice names but he was silent and went to bed.

The thing bugged him. He thought and thought and thought. And finally, at 12:30AM, he remembered that he had bought three more wagons, but only sold two. So he had left one of them at the market inTarutino. It had cost exactly 13 rubles, the missing sum! Pius rose and got dressed, did not say a word to his wife and headed off to Tarutino. His wagon still stood where he had left it.

The woman finally noticed the missing husband, Pius. She waited and waited, but he did not come. She rose and checked the farm, but no husband. The children did not know anything either.

She went to the neighbor lady and there she cried and lamented, hoping he had not gone into the woods and hanged himself. She went back home, and there she continued to cry, when the door finally opened and Pius came in. She was overjoyed to see him. When Pius explained about the missing rubles, she was happy as could be. Don't mind me saying this, Pius, but be more careful next time!

Peter Gross, son of David, died 27 February, age 60. He leaves behind an ailing, grieving widow. Peace be to his ashes!

Greetings to brother-in-law Martin and sister Theresia Kopp in Canada. He reads this publication, does he not? (*Publisher: Indeed, he does.) Write me a letter and tell me all about your journey.

Greetings also to Michael Volk in North Dakota. Glad to hear you shot a wolf and renewed Der Staats-Anzeiger subscription for another year. Kill another wolf and pay for my subscription for another year as well.

Greetings to the publisher, and the readers of this publication.

Anton Gedak.