"N^o 26"                                  
Block 1. Room 12. Johnson's Island. Ohio. April 12^th 1864.

 

            My Dear Friend, You have doubtless noticed by the tone of my last letter, that Gene's letter—rec^d the other day—alarmed me greatly; it did, & my suffering was intense until yesterday, when your's of the 6^th was rec^d. I am glad to learn that you were not as ill as I first supposed & congratulate you upon being well enough to write a letter. I wish I could get my consent to write always as I did in my last, but you can make allowances for my not doing so, knowing as you do, my motives. I am glad to learn that "the meetings" have been attended with such good results. I wish it were my privaledge to attend it. Though I have not yet connected my-self with the "Church" I have neither forgotten nor altogether disregarded the "wish". I assure you that I try to discharge my duty both to my Maker & to my fellow-man; But I build no hopes of course upon anything I may do. I suppose they will now have better congregations at "Eden"; I hope so. Mrs Finney must have a "gay time" of it now. How do you think she will get along with Mollie & Lillie? I noticed in the Rep. that Johnnie B— was married. As you say, he married a very nice young lady indeed; she is of the best of families as I learn from several gentlemen here who are well acquainted with her. But from all I can learn, Jno. will not have much advantage over her as I learn that she was very fond of "flirting". But enough! My dear little friend, there is one desire, one wish, that is absorbing my attention now & I hope it will not be in vain; it is that you shall get well very soon; So please forget evrything that hinders the will & then will to get well—the mind you know, has a powerful influence over the body. If you do not, I shall have you wonderfully in my "debt" soon, as I shall take great pleasure in troubling you with a letter evry few days. Remember me very kindly to Aunty & All.

 

                                                            With much love, I am as ever your true friend

                                                                                                J. J. Miller

 

[verso]

                                                Miss. Mary. E. Burd

Care of                                                St. Louis

            Mr Jno. W. Burd                                 Mo

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