December 30, 1934
"The old year is waning. Soon it is gone and with it another section of life out of which I have awkwardly plucked a few flowers, getting stuck at times, never quite satisfied but worth the living all the same. The last month of the year has brought the biggest worry and probably the most substantial joy - the buying of a farm. Erman and Snedecker have been to see my wife and me twice. I offered $4,500, $4,800 and $5,000. Thinking $5,000 was a stiff price, I stuck there while the owner raised to $5,250. During the heavy Christmas mail when I was extremely tired and getting little sleep, I carried on this deal which is a momentous one for me. I told Erman the fellow was trying to make me pay the entire commission and maybe I would split and then said I would give $5,125. They came over that night, holding out for $5,250. I told them I was blocked on my last bid.
The next noon they found me on the trip and said they had bought the farm for me. 'At what price?' I asked. '$5,125' was the answer. So that evening they came over and my E and I signed the contract and gave a note of $500 to bind it. We are to pay for it on January 2, 1935.
So two of my ambitions for '35 are realized. I do hope, however, the farm will turn out better than the binoculars for which I paid $2.50 and later found an eye piece cracked and a very poor thing in general. I believe I bought this thing secondhand to keep me from spending more money for the good one. A good one will be purchased later. The farm was bought with a different viewpoint - that of investment combined with recreation. The dogs and I have spent much time there today, they chasing rabbits and I enjoying everything most happily and planning fishing and crops. I believe I've got something nice!"
December 30, 1934
D.C. Richard's Journal
What a treasure you have there, Kurt.
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I know. And I purposely don't read ahead. I am reading it as I transcribe it.
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