Transcription:
Portage, Wis., March 26, 93. Dear Brother John: Your kind letter of the 15th inst deserved a more prompt reply. My apology
is that I have not been well; also that I was so taken by surprise that I scarcely knew how to reply, and have been trying
to think whether I ought to accept your generous gift. Mother, knowing how closely we had been pressed for a few months, suggested
that she write and tell you of the difficulty, but I decidedly objected, telling her that you had helped enough in the family
to bridge over hard places, and I could not add another to the list, but added that if you could assist by suggesting some
opening for Walter that I could be glad of that. However. I think Mother must have forgotten what I told her, from what she
has since told me, and which I suppose accounts for your prompt action in the matter. To give you an idea of Mother's forgetfulness,
I will relate an incident of her birthday. As you know, she was eighty on the 17th inst. 1 was anxious to do what I could
to make the day pleasant and so sent an invitation the day before to ask her to dine with me, etc. The time came and she arrived
somewhat late, explaining that she had an indistinct recollection of my having sent for her but did not feel sure - thought
she would come anyway. Dear mother, we cannot be surprised. Well, dear brother, I thank you for your kindness, hoping soon
to be able to return the amount when money is more plentiful, I suppose David delivered my message to you last week, I think
Walter will soon be all right. I am not well, which accounts for this scribble. Love to all, Joanna M uir Brown