East to the Dawn (87 page)

My dear Uncle Charlie

I had expected to run in and see you for a little while tomorrow, but at the last moment some housekeeping matters prevented my coming to St. Paul with my husband, so I am asking him to leave some papers with you which I wish you would look over for me, and see if everything is being done as it should be. I cannot depend on my husbands opinions in this matter as the feeling between Mark and himself is so bitter than an unbiased opinion would be impossible while when I ventured to ask Mark for explanations of certain things, he immediately felt that I had been incited to ask by my husband, and has been suspicious and angry ever since.

I have no intention of breaking dear mother's will, and while I cannot help feeling that she would have been far more careful about guarding poor Theodore's and my interest if she had been her normal self when the will was written,
I understand only too well her great anxiety that we be protected from the dangers that seemed to threaten me especially but on the other hand I spent so many years of my life near her and was with her weeks and months at a time, and knew so well her opinions of the business ability of each of us children that I know it was only in a spirit of desperation that things were left as they were. Mark does not realize and has blamed me for an atmosphere of seeming distrust of his business ability, which he had found lately in Atchison but Dear Uncle Charlie I have absolutely nothing to do with it, and have myself had letters urging me to look out for Theodore and myself as at the end of fifteen years there would be nothing left for either of us. I have been very careful not to say anything that would at all show any distrust to anyone and even to my husband I do not dare show any anxiety but there seemed such discrepancies between the appraisement of the properties at first and the reports to the State Department and the Trust Company that I felt as if I would like you to look over the papers for me and tell me whether it is only that I do not understand the statements that make them seem at variance.

I am just in receipt of a long letter from Amy which I have only had a chance to hastily glance over, but which points out
most distressing conditions. It seems that E. lost his position last October and has done nothing scarcely for the family support since. She writes that she is penniless and speaks of a grocery bill and woman-like says nothing about any judgements or liens that may be outstanding against her interests under the trustee-ship. I immediately wired her to see you, as you have full power to act for me and as I stated in my first letter, any sums that you may advance for her temporary needs will be promptly repaid by myself immediately upon knowledge of the amount advanced....

Hastily and sincerely yours, [signed] Mark E. Otis