Mechanicsburg

                                                                                                            March 12^th 1866

 

            Dear Brother Jacob

                                                In looking over the bible, I found a letter from you, received some time ago. I thought at the time, I will answer this letter soon, as I dont often hear from you. but I am such a poor writer, and since I lost my arm, I am worse at it than I ever was. so I put it off from time to time, and now I will answer it hoping you will pardon me for my neglect. I am indebted to Mary for all my writing, and I know if you had said any thing about her in your letter she would have answered it in time, but please take the will for the deed. /

 

I was glad to hear you were getting along so comfortably in the west, and if I had been so fortunate as to come home safe without losing my arm, I think I would have paid you a visit in order to see some of the west. Maybe I will be so lucky as to get a good situation from the government, and I may be able to see the west yet in course of time. You no doubte would like to know what I am doing. Well I have been tax collector, and acting agent for the History of the War in this county during the last winter. there are so many works out, that there is now a poor chance for agents. I hope to get something else to do this spring. I have a nice little home and if it was not for that I would feel badly, but with my pension and / making other efforts, I think I can get along. I was to see Mother and the rest of the folks in our old neighborhood. they were all well and glad to see me. some of them did not know me at first. a few weeks ago I was up near Newville and saw cousin George Quickel. he has been right sick with dispepsia. he knew me as soon as he saw me. Cousin Leah Quickel is a nice young lady and treated me very kindly. her Mother is married to a Samuel Long a right clever old man. I spent two or three days with them. I was canvassing for suscribers in that neighborhood and stopped with them on my route. have you any notion of coming in to see us this spring. we would be glad to see you, for it is a long time since I saw you. We have an Album and would like / very much to have you and your wife’s pictures to put in it. our little Harry is now nine year’s old and will  if spared soon be a help to us. he goes to school and learns quite fast. I hope you and wife enjoy good health. We are well excepting colds. I suppose you are busy now at your sugar and making molassas for the date of your letter is Febuary 28^th 1865 and you said you were then getting ready for sugar making, so I suppose you are at the same work now. Well if you will forgive me for my long neglect in answering your letter and write again I will promise to answer soon and not keep you waiting. Mary joins me in love to you and your wife hoping to hear from you soon again I am ever your

                        affectionate Brother

to Mr Jacob Quickel               John Quickel

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