May 17 1862

     Dear Sister Kate
		
		Mother is
here she came one week
a go to day and is well
much better than I expected
to see her she does not
feel very well about her
visit to your house she
did not stay long enough
with you. she brings very
good news from about you
she says you are doing
well, and if I had four
as smart girls as she says
you have got I would 
think I was doing first
rate I want you to take
good care of my name
sake for I will be after
her before a great while

Mother is kniting for
herself she has knit
most 2 pair of stockings
since she came here

		We are all
well and very busy to
work Thomas has got through
sowing and is going to plant
next week.
		Higgins folks
are well Lucy works out
and the other girls go to
school.
	Bills folks are well
except Kate she took cold
last winter and has not
been well since. Mother
says she dont think she
will ever be any better
she had a swelling on

her neck and they
drove that away and
it went to her stomach
and they think it will
kill her. Nancy Jane sees
a great deal of trouble
Bill is gone all the
time. when he come home
and see how Kate looked
Mother said he cried
like a child.

it is very warm to day
now write as soon as
you get this Mother
wants to know if you
hear from  Jim and
where he is she sends
her love to the children
my love to all,
from your sister. E.A. McCausey