Oct 2^nd 81

                       

Dear Brother and Sister

            I do not know but I ought to wait for an introduction before speaking to you. I want to hear from you very much we are all well as usual we have had a very dry summer until a month past we have had frequent showers feed is growing nicely A great many had to feed their cows before we had rain. Ida was home in June she staid three weeks her health was real poor she seemed so run down and weak she tired out every day. She had a real sick spell a few weeks since Zana and James came the 2^nd day of July and went back the 5^th took Ida and babies with them. Jane Rush came with them. they went to Harvey Albanys while they were waiting for / the train Jane was there so she came to [?] with them I was glad and surprised both

                                                                                                                                   

Oct 9^th

            well John I will try to finish this I have had company most all the week have not had time during the week. the family have gone to quarterly meeting I have got the sick head ache some of us had to stay with Mother. Lewis sent her over here the 17^th of last month they had kept her five months. we had taken care of her 13 months before we took her time in April. as you see we have her more than two thirds of the time. I want you to tell me if you think it is right. I would not be hired John to take a person so near helpless as Mother is and take care of her short of 4 dollars per week I would not crave the job at that. / if you boys would keep her clothed comfortable I would not complain James got her some waterproof for a saque and some flannel last winter she needs a warm dress some flannel for shirts this fall now John do remember that you or I may be old and helpless and dependent on our children. I am willing to do my part and would do it if I worked my fingers off, but my having to do the part of 3 or 4 is a shame and I cannot think of in any other way now I want you to answer this. if you will not do any thing I will have to call on James. I got her a pair of shoes and and I cannot take care of her most of the time and clothe her too. she is feeble she does not like to exert herself to do what she can for herself she dont remember anything about James being here the 1^st of July she says he and Ida did not come to see her at all. she has forgotten Lewis's name says it is not Lewis she cannot remember any thing any length of time. I just asked her if she wanted to send any word to you she said tell him I send my love to him and family. she wants to know where you live she always asks when there is any thing said about you. our crops are very short on account of the drouth grass was pretty good we only had 14 bu of wheat 12 of potatoes the most of them smaller than we ever used before we are fatting 3 hogs I guess we have got corn enough to feed them and winter 4 pigs. buckwheat is very poor Harvey thinks it will pass for cutting the milk 4 cows butter has been a good price. it has been our main stay.            Hetty R.

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