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00886 4 have rejoiced in. Yes my health is more improved than I can tell, and I am very very grateful. Mother and I are
all alone now Annie having gone to Phillips with Mary after her Christmas visit, but we get along nicely. Mother is well and
she reads for me great deal, and so with our little work and walking out every day, time passes very pleasantly. The rest
of the family are just about as usual though Dan has not been quite well lately. He hopes to go to Neb. in the spring and
will illegible us a visit before going. Poor Sarah is recovering herself as bravely as she can. With much love Joanna.
1 in margin: illegible sends much love, is happy to illegible of you illegible and will write soon. J Portage, Feb. 12,
80. Dear brother John; - You cannot know how those letters from your own dear hand, after so long a silence, have gladdened
all our hearts, as the three months slipped away bringing no tidings from your Cool white solitudes we were becoming quite
uneasy, and although we tried to think that God would guard you from all harm, as in the past, yet unpleasant pictures would
at times present themselves, and make us long and long to see you seated at our own fireside.