The Task of Happiness

If I have faltered more or less
In my great task of happiness;
If I have moved among my race,
And shown no glorious morning face;
If beams from happy human eyes,
Have moved me not; if morning skies,
Books and my food, and summer rain
Knocked on my sullen heart in vain:–
Lord, Thy most pointed pleasure take,
And stab my spirit broad awake;
Or, Lord, if too obdurate I,
Choose Thou, before that spirit die,
A pierceing pain, a killing sin,
And to my dead heart run them in.
–Robert Louis Stevenson

Ray Knadle writes:

Mar 31
Got a little snow today and is cold!
From R.K.

Postmarked:
VIENNA MAR 31 1911 S.D.

Addresed to:
Geo Knadle
Dilly, Wisc

Production notes: Chromolithography + gold metallic ink

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High School, Vienna, S.D.
Jena writes:

Jun 11
Well got here safe we got here last night five o clock
Was tired but feel better this morning
Jena

Postmarked:
VIENNA MAR 31 1911 S.D.

Addresed to:
Mr. Albert Knadle
Dilly Wis

Production notes:
Photo postcard
Co-Mo Company – H.P. Montgomery
316 2nd South Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

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Vienna School, Vienna, S.D.

Jun 11
I was sick this day so I ain’t [illegible]
From [illegible]

Postmarked:
VIENNA JAN 27 1910 S.D.
MERRIMACK JAN 29 8PM 1910 WIS

Addresed to:
Geo Knadle
Dilly Wisc

Production notes:
1-color halftone tint lithograph
Published by H.G. Zimmerman & Co. Chicago

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MOST bounteously may Heaven bless Your Birthday with true happiness.

From Ray K.

Postmarked:
VIENNA JAN 27 1910 S.D.
MERRIMACK JAN 29 8PM 1910 WIS

Addresed to:
Eddie Knadle
Dilly, Wisc

Production notes: Chromolithography + gold metallic ink

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Recently, my dad discovered a biography of John M. Knadle posted on the web. Apparently, John moved from Wisconsin to Vienna, South Dakota to start a new life. To read about him online click here: SDGENWEB Archives website.

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