p.

my husband decided to wait untill
tomorrow, as most of our mail matter
usually comes in on sixth day -

I am indebt to Esther Harley for a
letter as well as a number of others
but feeling a great anxiety to hear from
thyself and family, how you are
faring amid the increasing strife, [+?]
contention which surround us all
has induced me to enquire if thy sons
are all yet safe, or has the draft or
some unexpected blow stricken them.
[?down] , and left a wound so deep as to
paralise thy pen, -- Indeed my an-
xity for my own boy, and the suspense
has I believe nearly deprived me of
what little faculty I ever possessed in
letter writing, - but my main object
at present is to enquire after thee [?at this]
time, and send the likenesses [?and to]
wish this would render thee half the
satisfaction [thine?] have me \ but have
nor faith to believe it. -- No hair is so
very white it gives him a singular ap
pearance on the card. --

With dear love in which my husband
joins! I remain thine affectionately Sarah
I have written in great haste.

[page break]

Home 9th mo. 4th/64

Dear Cousin

Although
I have written since recieving a
line from thee I still feel more
indebted to thee than I shall be
able to pay by what I can put in
one envelope, so concluded to
write today, and not wait longer.
I have had these likenesses in hand
for several weeks, have hesitated about
sending them as they do not suit me
at all, but fear that I should have
no better success if I tried again
has induced me to forbear the [?]
[?] at present, the features are
pronounced very natural by all who
have seen them, so never mind if the
arrangement of dress, is not agree
able; we had each sat twice, and [?]
prove she had a good impression, but