Marion December 16^th 1860

                                                                                               

Friend & Cousin Nancy,

               Yours of the 20^th was duly received; and being rather lonesome to day, I thought I could not pass the time more pleasantly, than holding a few moments conversation with you through the medium of pen ink and paper although it is deviating somewhat from your way of letter writing (especially to me) by answering it so early, but I think I have written enough of this for preface.

 

You wrote that you were well; your family likewise which I was glad to hear / but I cannot say the same of myself although my family I believe are usually well, that terrible heart disease of mine still continues and instead of getting better I think it is daily growing worse I have doctored with two different Dr. besides taking one bottle of Dr Hooflands German Bitters although this last I think has done me more good than anything else At times I am almost discouraged and think I may as well give up first as last I have not been able to ride horse-back dance or run for the last two months and to me that is as impatient of control as I have always been you may be sure it comes hard. But thank heaven my organ of hope is largely developed and you know the old adage "as long as there is hope there is life" so cheer up my drooping spirits I'm not dead yet.

 

            You write that you are going to school I hope you will spend a pleasant winter 

 

            I am talking some of going to school this winter my health permitting I shall have about as far to go as you do. I went to Amboy and was examined this fall I got a certificate for two years.

 

            I do not wonder you do not believe in Live Forevers but take courage although mine proved false in its prophecy yours may not. I had the extreme felicity of reading Mr Kellogg's and Miss Brooks marriage in the Democrat before receiving your letter I was acquainted with Miss Brooks she is an English Lady by birth. I like her well. Who are you going into mourning for not for John I hope. I have got me a green dress emblematical of my forsaken lot. Lincoln may be right but the South do not seem to be very well contented. I do not think Julia is a very firm believer in fortunetelling and believe the fortuneteller saw double in telling her fortune when it happened to be single—ahem— / Aunt Louisa is up to George Skiffs visiting at present she went there last Wednesday her foot is getting along first-rate she can walk without help now she has been using Mustang Liniment on it she wrote to you and your mother some time ago I presume you have got it before now You forgot to tell me how handsome a brush fence was in describing your teacher and it has been so long since I saw one I cannot tell. Our teacher is an old married man so of course you will not care about a description

 

            Mat sends love to you and would like to have you write to her and she will answer

 

            Please accept my love yourself and family likewise and hoping to be favored with an answer soon also trusting you will excuse what you may find amiss I remain

                                                           

Your friend as ever Ange L Smith

 

[drawing of hand: "Yours"] [drawing of flower: "you love John and John loves you oh Nancie my dear dont you wish you was sure The rose is red the violets blue"] [drawing of heart: "John" "accept it forever, Nancie."]

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