Three Oaks Mich Apr 18 1867

  	Dear cousin
		         I received
your letter a short time since
I was glad to hear from you.
	My health is pretty good
now. mother complains of simtoms
of the ague some. but her health
has been pretty good the winter
past, Father as usual complains
all the time.
	Business is rather dull now
our muddy season. still continues
I am at work. this week. what
leisure time I can get: making
a small cistern. to hold water for
rinsing pictures, It will hold five or
six barrels, and the water will run
from the eve-trough directly into it
saving a good deal of labor.

I have working for me now
a young girl. She is very handy
about the gallery.
	Ed. has been away lately
to learn the Tailor trade. so that he
could do cutting in the store.
He is doing very well. He just got
me up a suit of black. which sets
first rate.
	Albert was sawing wood
with a power. drag. saw the last
we heard from him, but he was
not doing very well. He was
intending to start in the spring
for some new mines. which were
discovered last fall. about five
hundred miles from where he now
is. He may return home in an 
other year.
	Father is inventing bee-hives
he invents a new one nearly Every day
     Mothers wood shed is crowed full of

     odd looking behives in
     wonderful. disorder
        Mother says she is very glad
she can hear from you. and not have
to write.
        I send you a picture which
looks very natural. Taken when
she did not expect it in her old
clothes, She never has a good one when
she dresses up for it,
        I have not taken any views
in town yet I am waiting for
the mud to dry up.
        Mother sends Carrie a [pin?]
        My respects to Fred. and give carrie
      a Kiss for me.
		Your friend
			FP. Warren