Jan 30th 1862

		Dear Friends
Livena, and Emma, I take the present
time to write a few lines to you
both; should I write two separate
letters, I should have to write the same
in both, therfore I will write it
all in one; Emma [illegible marking] Mary Ann
received your last letter with much
pleasure, but she is not able to
answer it; she is not able to be
around any at all, except to sit
up a little; she has had poor
health ever since she had that 
hard spell of sickness in the spring
she said I just write and tell you
she could not answer your letter

and more I can tell you Emma
with an aching heart you never will
recieve another letter from Mary Ann;
but I will say no more about it now;
only that you when you write again
       not
need ^ say any thing about it; it will
make her feel bad; just write as though
you thought she would soon be well;
the rest of us are well and hope this
may find you the same; I am at home
this winter and will be I expect all
winter I could not teach on account
of Mary Ann’s health; I have been
going to school all fall but I cannot
go this winter; Livena you wrote
that you thought your boy was about
right, but you did not tell me his
name; so next time you write please
let me know what his name is,
I would also like to know about
Amanda Chappell and Elvira and if
Fannie Spade has any children;

Well [girls?] I have not much more to
write only I feel rather sorry for you
Emma to think your man has gone to war
but every thing is for the best so that
must be; Emma I will send you 
some verses of my own composition
I wrote them on the death of Laura

		[illegible] Sister

Once we had a darling sister,
With rosy cheek and laughing eye,
But as the summer flowers were fading;
Our sister had to die’
                                      our
She was the loved of all ^ hearts,
The pet of all most dear,
But now the angels love her more,
Than we could love her here.

Once we had a darling sister;
With ringing laugh and voice so clear.
But alas, our sister left us,

To dwell in realms more fair;
Some times we fancy that we hear;
Her footstep quick and light,
But Ah!  that footstep comes no more,
At morn, at noon, or night;
3
This world seems very lonely now
                                                      away;
Since her loved form has passed ^
Yet fancy pictures her to me,
As when she joine us in our play;
I sometimes wish, that, I coud go;
And see the place where she abides,
But when it is Gods will; I hope
We shall all be placed by her side.
4
Our sister dead; Yes Sisters dead;
O; it was hard for us to part,
From one for whom affections, wreath
Were twined around each heart;
Yet twas the will of him that knows,
And never thinks or does a wrong,
Then we should only think and say,
O God! They will be done.
	Lucinda Sargent
write soon
    Give my love to all enquiring friends