Transcription:
I am half afraid I will not be strong enough to travel and then I am not sure that Walter will get back in time. But oh, Annie
I cannot bring my precious baby with me, we may bring the little body to lay in the Portage Cemetery but you can never see
her in this world I did so want Mother and you all to see our darling little treasure than I had ever hoped to possess. I
think all who saw her awake said she was the sweetest baby that ever came to Phillips. When you had these little verses put
in the paper you did not know how much comfort they would give me, I repeat that last verse over and over again How strange
to enter Paradise as she today with not one tear in those sweet eyes to wipe away Sometimes I cannot but rejoice that she
is never to know ever this? sorrow and pain and sin, and yet at times it seems as though my heart would break I long so to
feel her little soft cheek against mine and her tiny fingers clasp around my own as they used to do. Annie I hope you and
mother pray for me often. Walter writes often and seems so far to be quite successful but his absence is very hard to bear.
I have been down stairs twice and intend to go down today to dinner. Father is well and seems quite contented now. Please
write often. Much love to Mother. Yours with sincerest sisterly love. Joanna