Transcription:
4 fact, pretty much everything has been hard this winter excepting the roads which have been very Soft and some peoples
in margin: 589 heads. yet, through in the midst of all this difficulty we have not felt it, except in our sympathy for others.
We had a letter from Father a week ago, who reports himself very well, very useful and very happy. What could you ask farther
for mortal man? John Reid still intends going to Neb. and will start soon for the purpose of inspecting. Maggie, Sarah, David
1 00779 in margin: and Dan are in about their usual health and their families, ditto. Mother sent you a pair of socks a
few weeks ago. I suppose they are safely rec d. Very much love from us all. Joanna. Portage, Wis. March, 6, 1878. Dear
brother John, How do you do, and how underlined: have you been doing all this long time? Does your quill still move on,
and books still continue to be born? Are you well, and are you happy? I hope that all this wisdom about such mighty things
as mountain ranges