From: Brisbane, Morton County, ND
7 January 1913

I will no longer postpone this, but will sit down and get to writing! I get my paper on a regular basis and I am sure the newspaperman gets tired of waiting for the payment for his efforts. So I renew my subscription as well and order the beautiful wall maps as my bonus. (*Publisher: Received the payment, maps will be sent. May many readers follow your shining example.)

I do not know if things are the same elsewhere as they are here, but the creditors are literally camping at the elevator to collect their money. Do they believe the farmer harvested gold this year? It is not so.

I really want to praise Staats-Anzeiger and publisher Brandt, who did not admonish the readers and hound them for payment, aware of the failed harvests. All readers should acknowledge this generosity and pay in kind by paying up.

Greetings to Georg Jochim and family, and Peter Jochim and family in Strasburg, North Dakota! Why so silent? Did your ink freeze up?

Greetings to all readers!

Max Erker