Jefferson City Mo
	  May 26th 1862
My Dear Brother
	       I received your
letter some time ago , we were
all very glad to hear from you
once more  .  I wish you would 
write often, and not wait every
time for an answer from me.
the   My time is all occupied through
the week.  and Sunday I go to Sunday
School at half past eight in the
morning, to church at half past
ten. Sunday School (Mission School)
at two and to church at night.
so you see my time is pretty
much all occupied.
     There is no need that any should
be idle here and in fact not much
chance if they have any inclination
to do good   .

There is not much business of
any kind going on except Millitary
there are several Regiments encamped
here now  .
     Sunday June 1st
You will see by the date at the
commencement of this sheet that I
commenced writing several days ago
but did not finish .  we are all
well here .     I havent seen Mr. Payn
since February .  I had a letter
from him last night he is now
in Arkansas.  He belongs to the
1st Illinois Cavalry  . Gen. Steels
Command.   I dont know how long
I shall be obliged to live alone.
   Does Candace hear from her Husband?
I had a letter from Kate a few days
ago, she wrote they had all been sick
this spring but were better now .
   I also had one from Conquest. they
wrote Mamma's health is tolerable
good . and Kate is improving .

     Baz Dwight came down and
   stayed with me last night . their
family are all well . Crops of all
kinds look well.   Everything in the
shape of eatables and wearables are very
high.   but we are highly favored
here to what they are further south
Mr. Payn writes where they are
Boots when they can be got bring
$ 25. a pair . and shoes from fifteen
to twenty.  I am inclined to think if
they were that high here some of
us would go barefoot in summer
especially children .
     Jefferson City has become very
much demoralized since the war broke
out. people seem to be reckless in
regard to almost everything  .
the bell is ringing for Sunday school
and I will finish when I come back
    Home from Sunday school and
a Negroes meeting to boot . I just
wish you would have been there

and seen the enthusiasm that
was displayed there.  A black
man preached.  and I should
think there were about from one
to two hundred black people
there and a few whites. I have
often heard tell of the enthusiasm
of the Blacks but never saw it before
   Strubles negro was a fair specimen
of the race. During sermon some
of them would get up and shout
and jump and shake hands .
 I think when they are all set free
we will have an intelligent
population. for my part I shall
proposeng emigrating . But I must
stop I have already written so much
more than you did that I am
afraid you will get tired reading
Give my kind regards to all friends
and accept love from your sister
		Deborah Payn
P.S. Please write soon and often.
		      D.P.