Dear Tom and Sara:

My dear Brother & sister

I was glad to hear from you & to see you were well. Now Tom Mery will put you in Charlotte's address so you can have a time to write her a few lines. Charlotte [probably Julia's sister Charlotte] is asual. Mery [probably Julia's daughter Mary] sent her a pound & I sent her half pound of tender leaf tea. Poor unfortunate creature, she had the the height of bad luck but her old nurse is so good to her. Be careful of what you write. You see, Tellie wrote that nasty letter to the Masons & it hurt Charlotte so much, in 6 months neither Catholic or Protestant went to see her. After about 6 months only one woman kept going to see her & she is old & can't go out much, so Charlotte never sees a soul unless someone comes to see the landlady. And as for Carrie [probably Julia's sister Caroline], Charlotte wrote her of father's passing (see note below) & she has not stopped telling a lot of lies of him & myself. I just laugh & say please don't tell me anything about her .

Now Tom how is your home for heat. You must have it very nice. If I saw a wolf I would drop, or any other wild beast. The prairie wolves sure must be plenty. They come down in droves to Montana & then on floating wood to your country Montana, M. Milener used to tell me 20 years ago, will now Tom.

Tom, my son Bob is out for good on Tuesday & Jack is out 3 months ago. Bob is a fine young man but Jack is not so tall. One is 43 (Jack), Bob is 27 past. Well I have been laid up for this last, while the day before Thanksgiving, I took a weak spell....am able to sit up a while this last 2 days.

Well Tom, do you remember aunt Mattie [possibly Julia's sister Matilda?] & the candy scissors [chauns] spoons & the little tree she used to dress for us? Do you remember Billy [???] & playing the pins? My, we had plenty of fun & expect Teresa & Annie ["Annie" may be Caroline's daughter-in-law] to drop in. Agness's husband is looking very well & he tells me if the place is any worse than his life since Agness passed on, he gives [???] for he sure has no snap of it. He is alone & only for his faithful dog, he would give up. Money don't count [when] your partner is gone for good.

Mack is old & old fashioned & his family does as they please. He is so lonesome in that big house by the sea, but Tom, I have seen a great change.

Well, I will close wishing you all a merry & glorious Xmas to you all.

Your loving sister, Julia