Baltimore, Md            

Monday morning 9. AM

Nov. 20. 1865

           

Dear Sister

                                    I now take my pen in hand to inform you that we are all well and Tom has broke his arm Cousin Bill has broke his leg Sam has got the whooping cough and Marys got a baby and hope these few lines will find you all enjoying the same blessings.

 

            I got your letter Thursday night and went the next day about noon to look after the box.

 

            I found it all right in Harnden's Office, the first place enquired at.

 

            There isnt much use in sending boxes after all. All the pies are spoilt, big ones and small ones, that raisin cake ditto, suppose / you are the builder of that, and about half the apples in the same shape. Everything appeared to be in an excellent state of preservation upon opening it but things soon put on a different aspect. I took out one of the small pies first and held it in my hand perhaps three minutes and then came to the melancholy conclusion that it was utterly ruined. At supper I again took one in my hand and gave Noll another to look at, and strange to tell both seemed affected in a manner similar to the first one. I hadnt the heart to examine any farther that time, so concluded to sleep upon it and proceed with the investigations in the morning. Well at breakfast I kept putting it off and putting it off, hardly daring to commence, lest we should meet with the disappointment of yesterday / However after forcing down about two pounds of beef steak potatoes and gravy bread and butter to match, I took out the two large pies. Ma's I think and proceeded to examine them, first passing the knife horizontally across them in opposite directions dividing them each into four equal parts. Each of the six men in the room were provided with a quarter thus leaving Noll and myself to contend against two apiece. All being in readiness to proceed, the examination commenced.

 

For a short time it seemed as if it would prove favorable as sundry exclamations would break forth now and then expressive of general satisfaction such as "God thats good," "damned if that dont taste like home," "Swore I'd like to have another piece," and many other ejaculations alike elegant and expressive, but at the same time presenting an encouraging look as to general result of the examination 

 

Alas! for all human hopes and calculations. In less than three minutes from the commencement all pronounced them entirely good for nothing, spoiled. The butter, two loaves of cake and cheese I have not tried as yet reserving them to the last, thinking they will stand the sacket the longest. Still I am afraid they will all come to something bad. These last named articles I shall use my own judgment upon principally, perhaps letting Noll put in a hint or two occasionally but not many others.

 

            Allow me to return you my most sincere thanks for the interest you've shown in my welfare and "posterity." To yourself, Mrs. Cook, and Mr. Hayward, I feel myself placed under great obligations, and which I fear will go a long time unpaid. The coat was not just what I wanted it was my overcoat that I meant, but it dont make much difference anyway. Again thanking you for your trouble taken, I will close wishing a very pleasant good morning. Yours &c. L. C. Cook

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