Transcription:
Crete, Neb., Feb.6th, 1886. My dear Brother John: We were happy to hear of the advent of the wee stranger to your home
nest. May God bless the dear girlie always. I hope that Louie is mending nicely. Give her my love and tell her I would like
to run in and see her and her little nestling. I wish we did not live so far apart, as Mary says, on a less world. I suppose
that Wanda is delighted to have a sister. What a source of pleasure and amusement it will be for her to watch and look at
baby. Every movement will be a kind of a wonder to her for a little while, I suppose. You say there is but little need now
for the encouragement of emigration. By the time there are ten more olive plants around thy table perhaps you will think there
is still less, and possibly your family circle will be complete. Perhaps Louie would think in such a case that both Chinamen
and much machinery would be needed to do the housework. I am glad that Anna is improving in two lines of sheet torn thank
you for all your kind advice about the care of my health. Have taken much beef tea -- your receipt is good. Do you take as
good care of your own health as you do of other people's? I hope you are feeling better. John got home from Wis. last week.
He had a very pleasant time among the folks. He says they are all pretty well. Sarah is much better. We have indeed had terribly
cold weather since about New Year's. Thermometer away down to 26 below zero from about zero to 15 below most of the time for
about a month. For days and days we could not see through the windows at all, and high winds at the same time. Snow swept
up into big drifts. For two or three days we have had nice weather. To-day the sun has been bright and the snow melting fast.
How good it seems How favored you are to be able to look on almond blossoms and green grass, or even weeds. Give my love to
Annie, Mrs. Strentzel, and all enquiring friends, and with much love to yourself and Louie, and many good wishes, I am as
ever Maggie R Margaret Muir Reid