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Portage, Wis., October 18, 1902. My dear Brother John: I write to say, in particular, that I shipped a box for you, by
freight, yesterday, containing the parts of your wooden clock and other things whittled long ago. I am not at all sure that
you will find them satisfactory as they had become so scattered and mixed and possibly broken that it was a very difficult
matter for me to know what to send and what to leave here, such as the brass wheels, and iron bars, etc. Most of the things
sent were found upstairs in the barn loft. They were left in Sarah's care and she knew better about them. However, I have
done the best I could with them, washing off the dust of years and packing them with all sorts of things to keep them from
being broken on their journey westward. Thinking that Sarah was still in Martinez at the time of packing, for it has taken
me a month at least to get everything together and packed to my mind, I used some of her old pieces of cloth and garments
to help pack, which I thought she might sometime want. But I wrote her about it and she said she would not care about these
things, in a letter from her in Scappoose, received by me after the box was nailed up, and I thought they might as well go
as packing. I also enclosed the buffalo horns and in each horn you will find one of Sarah's little ink cases which I wanted
her to have. There are also two packages of pressed plants, which she used to prize very highly which were left here. I have
sent them also. I am sorry that I had no money in hand with which to prepay the freight charges. But they told me that it
will make no difference, as to their safety, I still have some money out, but cannot get it when I want, it, which does keep
me very short of money to use most of the time. I hear that you have had another fine outing this summer and the girls also.
Am glad that you keep well and able to go on with your valuable writing. An old college president visiting here from Missouri
read your books while here, with great pleasure. He wished me to mention the fact to you when writing. Mr, Goodyear of this
city also wished me to give you his regards, etc. We have had a fine cool summer, and are now enjoying delightful Indian
summer weather, I still have the Owens family in the house with me, and so am very comfortably situated. My health is better
this year than last. In fact, I scarcely consider myself an invalid now (although I still cough some every day). Please remember
me with much love to each member of your family, I will write to Maggie soon. Am glad she is feeling better. Affectionately
your sister, Annie L. Muir03079