April 1st 1915
Dearest Auntie
I have been trying to do everything in pretty much the same order that Mother did after father's death, and on April 1st she filed her will, so I have done the same today.
Mine is an exact copy of hers, except where she had "my daughter Anna Marcet Haldeman" I have, my Aunt, Jane Addams.
Of course if I marry I shall change it, and it may seem foolish to have made it at all. But I travel so much -- and run so many risks of accidents [page 2] and there is always such a chance of unexpected illness that I thought I would better do so -- and make it as I have.
For if I should die before grandmother (as both Father and Mother who little thought they would, have done) she would not need it, as she has more than plenty for all her wants and luxuries, and it would go through her to the Hostetters, which I do not think right nor fair to Grandfather Addams -- as the bulk of it came from him.
I did think I would say to have it divided [page 3] between yourself and Uncle Weber. But the more I thought about it and about the young Hulburts coming along and considered the circumstances -- and complications, it seemed to me, that the best thing for everybody would be to leave it to you -- and let you use it as seemed best and time went along <& events demanded>.
You know don't you that Mother herself entailed the Cedarville farm to you, should I die without children.
I would rather you didn't tell Aunt Laura about this. Though I am always willing at any [page 4] moment to "stick to my guns." But she is so very sensitive about Uncle Weber and feels we often forget him! I never do and I love Aunt Laura more than I can put into words.
But in thinking things over quietly it seems to me that you have done so much more for him than Mother has or could do with father feeling as he did and her strong sincere conviction that her first duty was to me, and that for the same reasons you have done so much more than she could for Aunt Mary's [page 5] children that this is really what Mother would wish and what is the square thing to her, to you, to Uncle Weber, Aunt Laura and to Aunt Mary.
I send you the enclosed copy (with the receipt for the original) so you may have it in case the original is lost -- as father's was thanks to the slip-shod management at the court house.
I love you.
Marcet
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