27

17th january 1856
Thank you for another of your affectionate letters. As delightful as it is for me to read your dear letters I beg you will not tax your precious health by writing so often. I say
this very reluctantly for I do love to get your letters my darling (Tootie)? I hope my precious _____ and the little Mulatto girl get safe to Savannah. If so he will have told you what a miserable time he and Butler had setting___in the old wash room. They
must have felt the contrast from when you lived at that dear place. I am sorry your seem so reluctant to have Bell. She has had measelsbut never the whooping cough. If you can keep her from the (Patties)? I should think you will find her serviceable. I only beg she shall be kept close. She left here with a bad cold. Dear (Appy) increased his cold greatly by going from home and I do not think I ever saw Florence with a worse one. Yesterday we all began to fear Appy was getting measels she was so sick but today she seems better tho still looking very ill and ______ considerably. I hope the birds dear Floyd sent you did not become too gamey for your table and thereby taint the cheese. I did not like sending them together. Do not let the dear children forget me. Kiss them every night for your mother. By the next good chance please send or beg Mr. to send me 5 lbs good. I must take that at 87 1/2 c this one is very hard as well. As to ____ girls_____ barking terribly.