Squaw Grove June 20^th

 

Dear brother

            I was very much pleased to hear from you as I had waited for your a letter from you for some time not knowing until lately where you were and I have been so busy lately that it has become really a task to write a letter and tonight I feel so tired that I expect you will think that my writing has not improved, poor as it used to be. I am thankful "this cruel war is over" but so sorry that there is even a prospect of your regiment going to Texas that worst of all states. But I can't help hoping that you won't go. We had all hoped and / thought that you would be home soon and I can't give it up yet. Fayette and Teresa were in Chicago the day Dr Peirce and the 88^th came in but they did not know it until they got back to Aurora and did not see him Father Mother Dar. and I went to Chicago to the Sanitary Fair a week ago Friday and I staid with Nellie Mersill until Monday.

 

We saw Grant Sherman Hooker and some other notables and all sorts of everything. I saw Kate Ray married She is about as she used to be though she has not as much poetry to quote nowadays as in days gone by. Fred is out of the world as for anything his friends know. When last heard from he was brakeman on a railroad in Iowa. "What a fall was there."

 

We are having very comfortable weather here now with occasional / refreshing showers.

 

Your picture I was very glad of I think it is a very good one especially the shouder straps though I dont know but they may keep you away from home longer than the others would.

 

I th do not think the artist enlarged the nose at all I cannot see as it is any larger than it should be when I compare it with mine which is smaller you know. Dar. and Katy are out riding tonight. Dar does not write to any of his friends once a year unless it is on business so I expect I shall have to do all the writing. If you can make this out and will answer soon I'll write again sometime.

 

                                                                                    With ever so much love

                                                                                                from Sister Mattie /

 

Alas! Jet you are 29 years old what an old boy If you are not careful Ottie will be getting married first for there is a fair prospect of it. But you'll make a grand bachelor uncle for all these little nieces growing up so fast so I think you had better send all those letters up here and let me keep them out of harms way

                                                                                    Mattie

 

Write me where you are how you live and any thing you see or hear of

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