RK-034

Gowanda Dec 24, 1857, Dear Bob I received your letter a month ago and this is the fourth time that I have commenced to answer it and the Lord permitting I will do it now. Yes I am aware that of our Uncle and Cousin are marriade and it seemes to me that Bill a [writing smeared] had better waited a few years before she assumed the care and responsibility of the marriade life, but, I presume that Aunt Meary and Bell know better about such [illegible] matters than I do. Ihope she will be happy because she is one of our best cousins and one of my best friends. We are very busy in the store now we have more business than we can will attend to, I suppose that Father lives to have it so busy but I can assure you that I do not. I do not

think of answering a letter at any other time than Sundays and then if I set in the stone there is sure to be a more than sufficientery of visitors, and they wish to talk consequently and do not get very far in a letter before some one I have to lay it asside and then it is never finished untill the next sabbath when I try again. I would like to be with you this winter and especially to attend school with you but, happiness such as that is desired to me at least for the pressent. Uncle Asa told me that Father promised him that I should come out west next summer but I have not the least idea that I shall go, but, I shall hope and be patient for the "good times coming bye and bye and when it does come you shall see how quick I will come to you.

I beg you to excuse the dullness of my letter this time as the machiney of my mind is out of order tonight therefore I cannot think of any thing interesting, indeed Bob I would not have commenced to write to you to night had I not been asshaimed of myself for treating you so shamefully. There is nothing new going on here nethere is there much news. Laura is well but she is must run of to church with her dear Johny so I am left alone perhaps that I is the cause of my dullness. She sends you lots of love and says give the Major a good hugging for her. Aunt Hill is quite smart but Uncle Hill is getting very old and he looks for is not well Betsy Ann is as smart as ever Yours W^m. Welch

Dec 25 A Merry Christmas to you and to all of the Royal Family. I may as well wish you a "Happy New Years", also give my best respects to Charlie and Amasa and tell him that that he shall receive a letter from me soon. Yours W^m. Welch