Transcription:
ingenuity which I poscess in trying to make out what her name could be, but could decide only upon the second which being
J. of course signifies Joanna; I am much obliged for the honor and as I find it im- possible to enclose a dress in this letter
please find in its place this pair of mittens which will doubtless be equally se illegible able. We are all as well as usual;
Annie continues to improve, and is now out at Sarah's for a change? We are having terrible cold weather, and employ our time
mostly in en- deavoring to keep warm 2 which is rather a diffi- cult matter - but no doubt you know it all by experience.
I am very sorry you cannot be with us on Christmas as we antic- ipate a very pleasant time if it is not too cold We expect
the three families here, which will make, with our own, quite a large party. As mother does not feel quite ready to write
she sends her love, as well as best wishes and con- gratulations and says she will write very soon. You will perhaps have
some trouble in read- ing this scribble, but 3