Transcription:
August ---- 1885 6 A.M. John: 0, my beloved husband, why do you strive against the guidance of your good angel that would
lead you in the dear Lord's ways, where there is rest and peace. Our hearts are aching with the thought of your poor tired
body being dragged away from the velvety meadows and cool balmy woods, far through the dusty sagebrush to a country of sultry
nights and sunstruck day s and cyclone Even your mother and sisters would understand. My father and mother at last realize
your need of the mountains Then, as for the old ranch, Why, it is here, and a few grapes more or less will not make much difference
this year. But it will make a difference to Wanda, the tender little heart that sobs every night Oh, if baby only could kiss
papa goodnight it would make a difference whether you come back shadowy and ghostly, or strong and well to love and guard
her through years and years. She went to sleep cooing over your letter, and three times in the night she woke me by crying
out Baby wants Papa's bonny letter which baby and I have been pouring over, but as there is no Northern P. map among them,
we do not feel sure of any special station or hotel where we could find a wanderer like you, so we thought out messages had
bettertravel on to Portage and await you there. But Wanda begs so often to see the bonny rivers and fountains and waterfalls
so she can look at them with dear papa so that I sometimes get excited and feel like starting off right away, just out two
selves for the mountains. My ride every other day over the home ranch dispels the illusion however; that is all I have strength
for these past two weeks ; with much panting and struggling for breath between times. Dr. Gibbons thinks I will get over that
trouble in three or four weeks, but I must rest most of the time. The old doctor came here yesterday morning, will remain
here until tomorrow ; visit going on very pleasantly, although Grandma steadily maintains her own view of affairs. He brought
a nice black setter puppy, very playful, with which baby is quite greatly pleased and she is quite friendly to the doctor.
Wanda is very well and enjoys roaming about the orchard with Grandpa, but in the house she bestows her attention mainly upon
Grandma, who seems to be, as she promised, getting well because of having the baby here.