April 24th 1865
		Dear Parents
it is with pleasure that
I improve this opportunity 
of answering your verry welcome
letter of the ninth of this
month. I am well with
the exception of a cold
and hope these few lines
will find you enjoying the
same blessing with the
excepton of the cold
Pa you say it is not advisable
for me to build on my
lot so I will give it up &
finish my trade.
now for some thing more 
sober you say you know a
sweet and lovely Girl the
Daughter of esq [Brewers?]
I do not know her but if

you can pick me out
as good a wife as you did
your self you will do well
what is her given name
when you write tell me and
also tell me how old She is
you say we as a tribe of
men are apt to marry hasty
and you dont want me to 
marry untill I see Miss Brewer
I promise that I will not.
if you want me to get acquain
ted see her and see if she
would be willing to corespond
with me. and if she has
no objections I will write
to her where does She live
tell me when you write
is she a good looking
girl. now do is I have
asked you to and if there
is no objections on her part
there is none on mine

& if she is such a girl
  as you picture here to me
I think I can love her
I am old enough to tell
you what Kind of a wife
I want. I want a model
one: no be sure and see her
and see if she is willing and
leave the rest to me at present.
who in under the sun
did you think I would get
[illegible] to that made you
want me not to marry
untill I got home
that Is an absurd idea
but if the Girl of your
choice is heart whole that
is all I want.
I have wrote several letters
lately and have got none
but this in about three
weeks write soon
and comply with my wishes

no more at present
so good bie

I am as ever your
affectionate son

		Israel G. Atkins

[Penciled in upside down] [4-24-65]