Dec. 21st 1885
	Dear Friend Emma
I will try to answer your
letter I am a bout past
writing I have bin sick for
some time I have the
consumptions and I dont
think that I will see the
trees green again but I
am ready to go whenever the
lord sees fit to call me
out of this world of him

of corse lewis is near and
Dear to me as ever but we all
Must die and I feel as if
I was ready Emma I my
day seems short to me at
the longest I feel as if this
was the last I will write
I would like for you to come
and see me and any of the family
that can come come as soon as 
possible well Emma do be sure
and if you know how bad
I want to see you you will 
	come

well I will close for this 
time and I feel for the
last time so fareweell 
if we dont see ane anot
her on Earth that we
all may meet to 
part no more
is my prayer
you Friend
	Mary Birman
please write to me
again and come if
possible

we live 1 ¾ miles south
of [benits?] store