Saturday, Mayo 1, 1926
Buenos Aires – I read considerable in English Book of Mormon from Alma. My heart action has never been worse than it has today. At times I have a very hard ache in the region of the heart and severe head ache in forehead and back of neck. Am sure my trouble is aggravated because of terrible news of last week. Tomorrow is Sunday and I feel very illy prepared for all there is to do on that day.
Sunday, Mayo 2, 1926
Went to Friedrichs for 10 am Sunday school and had a good turn out of children with a good spirit present. After had a Bible class with the parents that came. Had Sunday School and Fast meeting with German Saints at 4 pm in the Hall. At 6 pm had a terribly noisy session with about 100 children. They are very hard to control. Have no idea of the sacredness of a meeting. Do not even know what a Bible is, or of its existence. At 7.30 pm had meeting with adults. About 30 present and good order and spirit present. Withal a very hard day. I was about exhausted when it was all over.
Monday, Mayo 3, 1926
Buenos Aires – I wrote family letter, also letter to Nena and Betty. Unable to get into a mood to write May and Rolfe. Hope to do so tomorrow. It seems I can’t get my proper bearings in this case that is now troubling me. In all my trials in life before, it has seemed that a way out has been shown me, but this time it is different. Maybe it is because I know so little of the facts in the case. Did some reading in the Book of Mormon from Alma, and it has brought me some hope. I did a large washing of bed and table linen etc. Wore skin through on my fingers.
Tuesday, Mayo 4, 1926
Buenos Aires – I wrote May and Rolfe today. Only the Lord knows the effort it cost me. But I sincerely hope and pray my letters may do some good. I did considerable reading in the Book of Mormon after writing my letters. Finished the Book of Alma.
Wednesday, Mayo 5, 1926
Buenos Aires – Mailed my letters home and they went on “American Legion” a fast boat. I tried to mail Song tract (1000) to Mexican Mission but could not get them off because they require they be sent in burlap before they will take them. Funny regulations. We held fine meeting at Liniers; home of Friedrichs. About 40 present, with good order and interest. Day was real warm again, with storm brewing.
Thursday, Mayo 6, 1926
Buenos Aires – One of the hardest rain storms since we have been here broke loose at about 4 a.m. The street was flooded for hours, stopping car traffic. It rained most of the day but not so violently. Cleared off completely in the evening. I did a great deal of reading and studying in Book of Mormon. Read 3 Nefi, Helaman and Mormon. Did cooking etc. I am still very worried over conditions at home, and it makes it much worse not getting any word. Mail that should get in tomorrow is now listed to arrive on 10th.
Friday, Mayo 7, 1926
Buenos Aires – I mailed 1000 song tracts to Mexican Mission. Postage $3.12 (pesos) $1.29 U.S. There was a little over 15K weight, so I consider postage very reasonable. At 4 pm held very good meeting at the home of Mrs. Molares. I spoke with freedom. At night finished reading the Book of Mormon in English. Day clear but not cold.
Saturday, Mayo 8, 1926
Buenos Aires – The day was considerable cooler. I put in most of the day in reading and study. Bro. Ballard has suffered for several days with an attack of rheumatism in his left shoulder. It gives him considerable pain at times. Heated water on “brazero” to take bath, but bathroom was like bathing in an ice box. There is no means of heating it or heating water for bath tub. Seven months today I was set apart for this mission. Wrote May today.
Sunday, Mayo 9, 1926
Buenos Aires – Cool and fair this morning. Went to Friedrichs and had fine Sunday School and meeting there. 50 in attendance and very good attention and order and singing excellent. German S.S. and Sac. Meeting in pm at Hall. 6 pm meeting for Children in Hall. Better order. 7.40 meeting of Adults, few present. Interest seems to be waning. Very hard day on me, talked till I was hoarse.
Monday, Mayo 10, 1926
Buenos Aires – Mailed a short letter to May and children. Went to town with Bro. Ballard to look at furniture, but made no purchases. Came home and studied Church History. Day one of coolest we have had here. Started reading Vol. I Church History today.
Tuesday, Mayo 11, 1926
Buenos Aires – Read Church History most of the day. Late in the evening a letter came from May saying all the children were well. But to me very unconsoling word about Rolfe. I would give a great deal tonight to be where I could see him and talk to him. The head of the Dental Clinic on Rivadavia visited us and we had a good long conversation on the Gospel. He is manifesting some interest.
Wednesdays, Mayo 12, 1926
Buenos Aires – Three of the German Sisters came and gave our house a good cleaning. Went in evening to Friedrichs and held good meeting. Very cool all day and at night. Read sweet letter from Melba.
Thursday, Mayo 13, 1926
Buenos Aires – I received a letter from Bro H.H. Cummings in behalf of S.S. Gen. Board asking if anything could be done to help us in our S.S. work in this mission. Wrote a letter to Jules Perrin. Read Church History. In evening received letter from Emaline and two from May. One May 15 and the other 19th. Nena has had another bad spell. Rolfe doing some better but still a serious and very great problem. I feel tonight like I had been humbled and humiliated into the very dust of the earth!
Friday, Mayo 14, 1926
Buenos Aires – Rec’d letters from Gladys and Dil which May forwarded. Also a whole notebook from my little boy Helaman, of his school work. It is certainly fine. I have been very, very depressed all day. Went at 3 pm to home [of] Mrs. Molares and held fine cottage meeting at 4 pm. Good crowd out, and I had great freedom in speaking to them. Fine conversation afterwards with some investigators. I feel tonight as though I would like to fly!
Saturday, Mayo 15, 1926
Buenos Aires – Recd. sweet letter from Nena written Apr. 17. Also got letter from Elder Huish. I got up this morning with a bad case of nerves, and have spent one of the most trying and terrible days of my life. I feel I have been humiliated in a way that I can never look up again.
Hmmm. This business with Rolfe is confusing. It’s tempting, but probably not advisable in this case, to try to fill in the blanks.
Agreed. Unless we have some clues from some other source — I don’t — it wouldn’t be wise. It certainly tore Rey Pratt up, though, whatever it was.
Something I’ve just learned by searching newspapers — Rolfe Pratt was a tenor soloist performing in many El Paso venues, mostly churches of all denominations, during this time. I don’t know that that has anything to do with his troubles, but is just one more detail showing that Rolfe was productive, talented and socially responsible, whatever it was that so grieved his father.
‘Heated water on “brazero” to take bath, but bathroom was like bathing in an ice box.’
In one of my apartments, we got hot water by means of a showerhead that ran electricity through the water. One morning in the dead of winter, however, a fuse burned out. Without the showerhead, I found myself in Pratt’s position: wanting to bathe, but only having 40-degree water to do it in! We eventually settled for warming water on the stove and taking sponge baths until the showerhead could be replaced.