00313 Sunday afternoon. I declare it was the sweetest hours that e'er I spent I have got acquainted with lots of pretty
girls in Portage but I would? not trade off my Katie for any ten of them. Now that's plain talking. but it is so She is the
best girl I ever saw or want to see. John if you have not fond a lass yet you are mi- ssing on of the most greatest pleasures
this earth affords. I wish I was out of debt so I can get married. Now John if you abuse this free speech of mine I wont write
another word to you on the subject. Tell D. F Abbott that I have not got his letter all read yet and never will. if he would
only write the Dutch in English letters I would ris illegible the rest tell him I will write to him soon. Dan the girls have
gone up to the farm to spend New Year you had better make up your mind to come up and harvest with me again next summer. If
you will send me your picture without a case in a letter I will send mine to next week it wont cost much. How does Jack Duncan
look? Now Sir you must please write an answer to this the same day you get it and tell me all the news, so hoping for the
best I will leave you but Oh Yeer a bad Yen ? but try and be a good boy after this with love D illegible