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                                           Monday July 11 [1927]                                                       from Sarah Shockley
                                                                                                                                Avon Park Fla

Dear Mrs Walden

                     I wonder what you think of your

friends here anyway - not a word of response or sympathy from any of us in nine days of bereavement and sorrow. Yesterday I went the rounds - called on Mrs Spink, Mrs Wray, Mrs. McCarthy and at your home. Like me no one had written you and no one had a later message than my own sent the morning of June 30 telling of the passing out of the precious mother during the night. We all had much the same idea, I found concurring your whereabouts - had presumed that after the funeral you would return to Johnson City with your brother for rest and a visit. Mrs Spink told one that you might go north to visit Katherine before returning for Avon Park and Mrs. McCarthy had just got word from Mrs. Lewiston that you contemplated taking a rest at Highlands before going anywhere. The little woman in your home looked bad - said she had been away on a visit for nearly two weeks - that she was sick. She seemed sad and heartsick. The clouds in my own skies thicken instead of clearing away as the days go by. Byrum looks like he had came to the "Last Grey Home" and I am feeling that way about him myself. He is doubtless in the grip of the arch friend of his fathers family and every day I find myself more helpless to rescue him from the horrible quicksand in which he is sinking - it is no use burdening you with it though - you doubtless have cares and problems enough of your own to deal with. We are still at work in the homes - have had a carpenter for more than a week now changing