The I. Stephenson Co. 

Edwin S. Blanke
Wells, Michigan
Feb. 26, 1908 

Dear Brother Theodore:-

I received your letter. Have been too busy with other things to answer sooner. 
Shall I return the books of Los Angeles?

Well, before starting to answer your questions, I will tell you how I stand in 
society. Last night I was to a magazine club meeting at Escanaba. Every one that
comes has to take part, are the rules. I did. I had an article on lumber. One 
fellow, a bookkeeper down at Escanaba, a man about 35, had a piece about New 
Zealand. You know the government regulates the manufacturing and labor 
question. He read his story and then it was open to discussion. I was second 
to pick the bone. I did not agree with it and had a little argument. He is a 
well-read fellow, but don't believe in a here-after. We are good friends, but 
like to argue with each other. I told you that I led the meeting in the 
Epworth League the 9th of Feb. and got along fine, much better than I expected
and last Sunday night when I got down to League and all were waiting for Rev. 
Spence, who was to lead, he sent his little girl over to tell me to start the 
meeting and that he would be there in a few minutes. So of course I did. They 
can't work bluffs on me, but he did not show up until I had read from the Bible
and talked on the topic for a while. I let him finish it after he came. But 
isn't that pretty good for me? You know how scart I always was. I also have 
been reading a lot lately and writing application and everything else. I have a
position offered me in Portland when busuness picks up - say in April. Barker,
of the Barker & Stewart Lbr. Co., who died the last part of Jan. 1907, owns 
most of the company. It is the Peninsula Lbr. Co. Arthur don't think I ought to
go there, so I am writing to firms in Ariz., Cal., Nev., and to a few in Idaho.
I may take the one in Portland just to see what it is like until I get another
job where I like it. 

About going to Los Angeles. I don't know. I don't care a bit about going there. 
I would rather go to some town near by there within 200 miles or say 60. I think
I would have better chances and the climate just as good. Those pictures of 
Wells you can take home. I want them to remember this old place by if I go away.

The program of the Y.M.C.A. dedication looks good, although I have not had time 
to read it yet. Glad they have such a nice building. About the vouchers. We 
recopy of course the dates of all the invoices, but then that is better I think 
than to have the invoices attached to the vouchers themselves and having 
everybody see the prices, etc/. After the voucher is returned, we pin the 
vouchers to the invoices which make up the amount of the voucher - some times as
many as eight or nine invoices to one voucher. Neither do I see any particular 
difference between a few of the voucher systems. I guess they all answer the 
purpose. Glad to hear that you like the Eng. M. E. church. Stick to it and let 
me know when you lead the first meeting of any kind or pray in church. Give 
Harry B. my best regards. How is he getting along? I just was down and talked to
John. He gives up hope of Ed ever finding his own job, but he said the railroad 
company or the bank. I did not understand which, want him to come back to 
Gladstone to work, so suppose he won't be there long. If you have anything to 
impress upon me, just tell him, as I am going up there a week from Sunday, when 
three of us are going up to Manistique, Mich. Say, I guess you mean Judson. He 
is in the Escanaba Mfg. Co. They are not connected at all with the Escanaba 
Woodenware Co. Yes, The Woodenware Co. went Bankrupt and it was put in the hands
of a receiver. It was the Esc. Mfg. Co. which did the suing and I think they 
won, too. 

I am returning Koch's letter, it is good and full of nice information. Am in a 
hurry. Write soon. 

Your Brother, Edwin