Credit: True Friendhsip Blossoms by Angela Sharrow, Staple by Kathryn Mhire, Paper curl/tear action by Atomic Cupcake
Program: Photoshop Elements 5
Font: Amazone BT and CAC Camelot

Journaling:

Angamally
Travancore State
S. India
9th December 24

My Dear Volbrecht,

With my return to India, I have had no news of you and I feel so unhappy about it. I do not wish you all to forget me altogether, so although I cannot
write in German, I am writing in English in hopes that you will find somebody who will be able to translate it to you. I have enclosed photos one for
you and one for Janchen and one for Sanchen. This was taken the day before my son Gottlob immigrated to New Zealand. He found it so hard to
get work here so he left on the 14th of October to go take up farming there. It was very hard to let him go so far away but if he gets on nicely there,
Olive, Karl and I may follow later on. Olive is a teacher now and Karl is working in a large English warehouse in Madras. Theodor was married in
August and they are still in London. I am longing to hear how you are getting on. Is Janchen married? How is my little mother getting on? She must
be getting very feeble now. Please give her my very best love and tell her that I often think of her. Is Sanchen still with you? Where are Lydia and
Ludwig? How's Karl, has he had a sister or brother yet? Please do write a letter to me and give me plenty of news.

I am alright now. I broke my knee in February and was in the hospital for 6 weeks. I slipped and fell when getting down from a Tram car. I never
thought I would walk again, but an Indian man massaged it for 14 days with medicinal oils and it was only after this I was able to walk.

With your low value of money I suppose living is very expensive. I wish I had some money to send you. I am longing to get a bit of German ?.
After enjoying this I do not like any other kind now. Write home soon. With much love to you all in the house and to Loctchen and family.

Yours very affectionately,
Harriet Nagel

I’ve been told that this is a letter that Harriet
wrote to Volbrecht while he was in Germany,
unable to return to India. I find a few things
confusing... We have on record that Volbrecht
died on May 21, 1921, but this letter is dated
December 9, 1924. Also, she refers to their son,
as “my son Gottlob”, and she signs the letter
with her last name... But Volbrecht was
German, and probably couldn’t read English...
So, who knows... Just a few inconsistencies...
I wish I had a copy of the original letter.