McFarland-Russell Letter, December 8, 1880

envelope with 3 cent stamp postmark Newton Texas Dec 8

Mrs Kate [?] Russell Orange Orange Texas

Newton Newton Co Texas Dec 8th 1880

Mrs Kate C. Russell Dear Sister

I know you are vexed with me for not answering you sooner but I have not felt like writeing. I do not feel like it now only I know you are looking for a letter. Mr Smith has been gone three weeks oh it seems like so many years, I will look for him home in two more weeks he said he would try and arrange his bussiness so he would not leave me any more. I have not heard from him since he left. I do not know what to think.

Well Kate I have been sewing all day tho not on any thing fine, calico is what I wear for sunday and every day too I never go any where, if I ever go to see you then I will make me some fine dresses. Hoy & Tommie are just as fat as little pigs I weaned Tommie and he is a great deal better boy now I believe I will

get Mr Smith to subscribe for our old time paper The Saturday Evening Post Have you seen it lately Kate my lord is so sore that I can scarcely write it is dip dip all the time. Give my love to Cecile & Mary and tell them the times are so hard no body will go to [ ?] with a wagon so as I could send some nice potatoes to you

Kate write & think of it, I dreamed a cure for consumption I dreamed Ma came from heaven and told me that it would cure if the lungs were not wasted away too much. Take she said a bottle of Port wine and put enough beech bark in it to make a bitter and take it three times a day, one tablespoonful. It is a singular dream and if I ever take consumption I will try it. My love to you all write soon and try to come some time.

Ever your affectionate Sister Maggie Smith

There is nothing new here atal only there is no meat to get.