Transcription:
4 chased a nice horse and buggy David rides all he can and I think is improving. We, at home, are now comfortably settled?
, with deleted: best guess some surround- ings pretty much to our minds. In looking back Dan. over the changes which the last
few years, or, I might almost say one year has brought? . I feel that God has led us by a way which we knew not, and has led
us into pleasant pastures God is very good and my heart rises in gratitude to Him. Concerning the enclosed money order father
wishes me to say that none but we four in the house shall be made acquainted. Mother send love to you and Emma, as do also
Joanna and your Affectionate sister Annie? . 1 Portage City, Wis. Oct. 21st. 1872. Dear Brother As father has appoint-
ed me scribe this evening, I step into Benjamin's shoes and report all the changes, for better or for worse ,-(that illegible
sends me back to the parlor, in the old house on Hickory Hill, and to the day when you and I stood up, joined hand and listened
to those solemn words from illegible of Dave the Squire .? found in Sandy Gray's old book which at that time opened so readily
to the illegible from which this is quoted.) but to duty - Father says -: The pain in my stomach is subdued