Transcription:
(2) Chicago crackers for the little turrentine they will yeild. So that it is very appropriate that their dying limbs should
he hung with. crane (Spanish moss) which gives the country such a funereal look and makes one glad to get back to a live country,
ever if it is still in the icy grasp of winter. Well now for the continuation of my misfortunes. I had only been home about
10 days when I, an old man, had to come down with that childs disease, diphtheria. That lasted me ten days, when ,three weeks
ago last Sunday, I was again knocked out with a severe attack of Angina pectoris, a heart difficulty,that came pretty near
putting me on board of old Sharod's boat. This confined me to my bed for 3 weeks, and I am now just begining to sit up I am
very weak and have lost 17 lbs of flesh or rather fat, which I do not, however,regret. They tell me that they a re going to
take me in a f ew days, to my sister's at Woodstock 50 miles from here, where I can get my feet or the grass and breath fresh
air that is not ladened with smoke and stenches as it is here Well this is the end, to date, of my troubles, my poor little
wife is still having hers. The poor old mother is still alive and a terrible sufferer so much so that they are obliged to
keep her, a 1 most, constantly under the in-fluence of morphine.Her daughters have been most devoted to her, some or all of
their are with her all the time, night and day besides two professiona1nurses.While I was so very sick, it was pretty hard
or Fay as her heart strings were being pulled from both directions. Grandma has shown wonderful vitality. She i;s 82 years
of age and has resisted a dreadful disease for months for days now she has taken no nourishment or stimulants, and: it is
wonderful how tenaciously her life holds on.I missed California this last winter and I missed our home had I known we were
to have such sad months ahead of us. I dont think I should have sold it. But you know it is always darkest before the dawn
of the bright day, so we hope that we may have some bright days out of the few that are left to us. Even this dictating makes
me very tired, so must stop.We do hope that you and your dear ones have been well. Wife joins me in kind regards to you all.
Sincerely yours illegible