1857, December 13, page 2

it is nicer than half the
houses in Willsborough
it is done off nice a rom
below to sit in
and a room upstares
to seep in and nice hoos
to hang clothes and
it scemed rather hard at
first to sleep on a straw
bed but it is not so bad
now, a feather bed is a
seldom thing I haven't
seene one only at Mrs
Palmers since I came in
to the State of Iowa
dont wory about me for
I will do the best I can
and I shall get along
then I guess, the Country
is diferent from
what I expected to see
but it is helthy here
I eat with the Cooks
and my living is
as good as any one would
wish for I am not in
Prison nor dont suffer
not it dont look like
I should verry soon
dont be woring about
me I am big enough to
take care of myself
I have gained 5 pounds since
I came west I have
written a letter to Grandmother
to day, it is now night
and I will fiish this
I have vin a looking at
you minature to
day and the remembreance
of you good Mother
came fresh in my mind
Oh how I would like have
meet you to day
give my love to Mr Palmers folks & Mr [?H?????]