These letters were in the same envelope addressed to Mrs. John Swain, Plymouth, New Hampshire, R. F. D. - 2, the postmark was smeared and unreadable.

Larchmont Manor
New York

Larchmont Manor

My Dear Johnnie Swain

Was ever an ? shame so charmingly remembered. My love of all the trees too. The lady of the winds. My heart was broken this spring when I found five of my silver birches dead. Four in the field where I spent so many hours. One (the largest) beside the house. I have only two or three left and I do miss the lovely shimmering leaves over white trunks. They were such old friends planted when I first made my home here.

As one grows older things that have seemed trivial before become sad crosses to beat. Have you read James Lane ? "Last Christmas Tree." I do envy you your beautiful home and all its surroundings. If I could only get somewhere away from habitations? and trolleys and things. Best I should be satisfied today for the world about me is a fairy sight today. The trees covered with ? and glistening on the ?. Happy New Year and love from

Your old friend,

Ella Amory?

Thursday

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The package is ?

Larchmont Manor
December 22

Have just received Johnnie's letter dearest and am so disappointed that my Christmas gift did not reach you. This year of all years when you were so far away. I sent all packages by Express yours at the same time with the books and also six other packages to different places Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Western New York, Massachusetts and Johnnie's book the only one that reached its destination on time. The express company is looking them up. The packages that came to me in parcels post are in such a dilapidated condition. Many having been opened and I have not ? anything that way. I hope you received the ? box after I had selected what I wanted and the money for what I kept. As you sent it by parcel post as that was the way you sent it and the money I have ? for?. I am making all these explanations so we may understand just what to do. ? say this morning they have trace of your package so perhaps in time you may hear of it. Too bad isn't it. Never mind dear you know I've been thinking of you and thanking you for your help Everything seems so crooked this year and I so fear that some of my dear ones may contract Mrs. ? grippe. That is called epidemic in so many places. Another storm threatening this morning, just as we were getting ? of the last snow. Wasn't it lovely of our Johnnie to write that charming verse for me. My beautiful ? always I rememescent of ?. I sometimes feel I shall never see my little "Port of Rest" again & ?

I do hope my little package come to you sometime. It seems so little to be so fussy about but I think little things worry me more than they used to do.

All love and happiness to you two dear ones this new year.

Always yours

Ella Amory?

New Years Day

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