Jefferson City Mo.
		   Oct. 1st 1862
Sister Kate
	I have been down the
river about 500 miles below St.
Louis to see Mr. Payn. He has not
been well all summer. and as he was
staying awhile at Helena I thought
I would just take a trip down and
see him. I am sorry you feel
so down hearted and lonely. if I could
leave here I would certainly come
and stay with you this winter, but
we had just commenced school
before I left. I got another teacher
in my place while I was gone, and
she gave general dissatisfaction, but 
what do I care for that I was going
any way. I hardly see how you
can be lonesome. you have got
your children there with you


and then I didn't think you one of
that kind, that would allow any
thing that cant be avoided to make
you unhappy.  You didn't tell me
whether Sol was going to stay
with you or not this winter.
    were I situated so I could I
certainly would come and stay with
you. but I feel that I am needed
here and then Mr Payn thinks
he will come home before long
unless he gets better soon.  But
Kate I cant worry if I try. so
there is no need of trying.
     Dwight had a letter from John
yesterday. he is in washington.
Sereno is still in St. Louis.
Frank, is here he belongs to the
[enmoblee?] malitia.
     I am not very well now havn't
been this summer.  As soon as I
do hard work or talk more than 
usual, I get so tired and weak

I can hardly go.  I think the war
will not last a great while longer
anyway.  The south are getting
awfully sick of having such large
armies living off from them. they
take every thing clean as they go
and they can get nothing in the south
only what they army takes so they
are bound to suffer unless they do
something to settle the hash before
long.   I had a letter from Mag a few
days ago she talks of going to New
York this fall.   I wish you could
manage to go with her.   you would
feel a great deal better than you
will to stay there all the time.
     If Mr. Payn shouldn'd come home
this winter maybe when our school
is out I will come and stay with
	      love
you.  With, ^ I remain your
   sister. D.H. Payn