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1960 N. Pa. St., Indianapolis , Dec. 20th, 1898. My dear Mr. Muir, I thank you warmly for your kind letter of the 9th.
It reached me on the 15th. It was disappointed to know that we were not to see your face - not to hear your voice and learn
from you of all you had seen and learned during your trip from Maine to Florida. I can well believe how much you must have
enjoyed it all. How well I recollect the day long ago, even thirty years, when you left us to find your way to Florida. How
long ago it all seems I am happy that you do not forget your friends. But now, I must tell you about Janet. Kate and Mina
went on to see her in September, and Elizabeth, Charles' wife, in October. They were none of them satisfied with her condition
and treatment. So - after a, deal of consideration, we decided to bring her home - not into our own house, for that was not
thought best, but a little ways out of town, where she would not be under excitement nor see too many of her friends. Very
few have been told of her coming. She has a trained nurse, a sweet girl who is also a companion, who gives up her whole time
to her. She is in a pleasant German family, where she is not made to feel her condition. She has a physician who is fully
interested in the case and gives her much care. She has been home now three weeks, and has improved. Of course there are days
when she is better than others. She is much better physically than she was when she left the hospital, and we are hopeful.
But she does not yet seem to have much hope. I go to see her twice a week. She comes home on Sundays. But we notice that even
this excites her. Still she remembers everything, and much of the time is perfectly sane, but again she talks sheer nonsense,
which is very distressing. I was with her the most of yesterday, and Kate and Merrill were in a short time. I told her of
your letter to me.(Yours to her had not then come - it came this morning and I will get it to her by mail today), She said
Give my love to Mr. Muir, how good and kind he is She will be delighted to get your letter. She told me of the letters and
magazines you had sent her, but said she could not write. Give our love to Mrs. Muir and the dear girls, and believe me,
Ever your friend, Julia Merrill Moores A merry Christmas and a happy New Year 02519