Fremont. Apr 23rd /65.
			      Sunday eve, 6 O'clock.
My Precious Cousin.
		          Your welcome letter came
to me about an hour ago. Dont you think I am 
a pretty good girl to answer letters. Besides in
the hour I have answered two letters that I received
when I did yours. One was from my brother Willie.
He was well and was at Goldsboro when he wrote.
I cant see why Edwin does not write to me.
His letters always came so regular that it seems
an age since I heard from him direct. I am very
glad to know he is safe and well. Please to tell
him to write to me will you? I got a letter from
Isom and Melinda a few days since and have
answered it. You may bet I was glad to hear from
them as it was nearly four years since she wrote
last. Our spring here has been very backward here.
The Frogs have frozen their noses three times now
and I hope we will have no more cold weather. It
is a sure sign father Hiltz says and I am a
true believer in signs. (over the left.) Twice this
month the ground has been covered with snow.
Last week it snowed hard one whole day and
night but it has all gone now except now
and a drift. By tomorrow night not a vestige 
of snow will remain. I am getting impatient
to make garden. I have to be the man to do
that as William is not worth a copper at
gardening. We have got five acres of wheat sowed
and some Onion and Lettuce seed. That is all the
Springs work we have done. When I wrote to my
sister last I gave her your message. Oh dear!
Nelson! My pen is so poor I can hardly write.

I am very proud of my cousin that came in 
the letter to day. I shall prize it very much.
I have placed it opposite Edwins in my Album
and I am not ashamed to compare them with
the best of them. Don't think cousin mine
that I am trying to flatter you for it is
not so. Have patience Nelson and you shall
have mine as soon as I can get it for you.
There is no good Artist nearer than twenty
miles and I was at the place (Winona) last
winter and never once thought of it while
there five days. I am going again by and by
and will think of it. I am almost ashamed
to ask for pictures without returning the favor.
but still I do ask and keep asking. I have a lock
of Edwins hair and I want yours and your fathers &
mothers with your names and ages to put in my
hair book. I have all of Uncle Nelsons family that are
living. I received a letter from cousin Eliza since I
wrote you last. It seems as if it could not be possible
							thing
that our beloved President was gone. What a sad [illegible in original]
it is and as you say what an irreparible loss to our
country. I hope Johnson will only be half as wise
and good as he. I do not believe he will show
as much leniency as Lincoln did to our foes.
You were speaking of Secret societies. I do not have
a very exalted opinion of Masonry but the rest 
is right enough. I am no enemy to them because 
they are secret. My father has been an Odd Fellow
and would be yet if he lived near a Lodge.
I wish I had been to that dance you were telling me
about. I should liked to have “tripped the light
fantastic toe” with you although I am not much of
a dancer, yet I like to try mighty well. You are

	[Penciled in on top of Scan 3 [1865, April 23] ]

mistaken Nelson about my being satisfied merely
with your shadow. It makes me wish to know you
personally more than ever and I hope I shall have
that pleasure at no distant day. O dear I am get
ting tired of writing letters to night. I have to be
scribe for the whole family and I can tell you
I write not a few letters in the course of a year
William can only write his name and he and his
father and mother can neither write or [illegible in original] read wri
ting so I have plenty to do besides having my own
letters read only by myself unless I choose to read
them aloud. William does not care but his mother
is awful cross when I get letters that I wont read
to them. That is the effects of jealousy and gross 
ignorance. There I have said more than I ought but
I was a little cross myself. Well my Extra is getting

rather long and I will bring this letter to a dry
up and I know you will think it is high time.
I hope you will be as prompt in your answer as
before and I dont care if you anwer it as soon as
I have this time. Give my regards to your father
& mother. Tell them I wish I could have their shadows
             my
without ^ asking. Is that hint enough, or do they want
a kick before they take it? Accept the warm wishes
of your stranger cousin
			  Helen. A. Hiltz.
P.S.
     I have called myself a stranger but I don't think
we wrote much like it do you! Aurevoir.
					      Helen.