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what if I should be trusting is a false hope: Pray for me, that I may not be left to the wishes of Satan, but may scorch my heart and know whether I have yielded it entirely to God. I went over to Olive's yesterday and spent the day-wish you could have been with us-she has everything comfortable and a very kind husband - it seemed so pleasant to sit down by then chestnut fireplace when it came evening and have him read to us while we scared - the babies were fast asleep so there was nothing to interrupt us - Little Hellen is a darling child - she was two years old last Saturday - I wish you could see her she says "Aunt Bell" and "Uncle Dodolo" - We are in hopes to move over to Theodore's in two or three weeks as father has perhaps told you. I am anxious to go it will be much for comfortable and I think the evenings will be more pleasant - they are very dull here - sitting down in this dark gloomy cabin usually with a thick cloud of tobacco smoke almost choking me - but I will try and be patient and hope for better things when we got our new house. I don't know when that will be if John should have a stiff arm I don't know whether he can work on a farm too much advantage, should think he could attend to some other business better. Father needs to have some of the care taken from him he has grown so childish I never saw one fail so fast as he has since last spring. I know it was too much of an undertaking for him to come here. but I suppose he would not like to admit it - I think sometimes that he had better rent his farm and not try to do so much that is if John is not able to work but I don't know what he will think of it. I wish you were here to advise him - I always think that your advice is right - but perhaps I am a little partial - Well I shall want to write some more often Joh gets back so good by today. Wednesday PM John got home this morning - the Dr thinks his arm will always be some stiff but may get so that he can use it considerable - he told him to shower it twice a day in tepid water and rub it in warm whisky and volatile linement says, the condiles of elbow are injured I don't know what they are but had quite a snow storm last night but it has most all melted today - Everybody is driving business it a great [right hand side]rate now, pulling turnips and housing them, they are afraid the ground will shut up early. I have seen but one fire on the prairie, t'was not so much of a sight as I expected to see [upside down at top and left-hand side] Lucy, don't work the book-mark, till your eyes get well. I inquired about it because I thought perhaps you had sent it and the letter was lost. I suppose Samuel dont get the Californian fever any, does he? a great many seem to be going from your vicinity. Wouldn't you like to come to some of our sings? Olive wants us all to come over there some of these moonlight evenings to sing. dont know whether we will get started we have a family choir with the exception of Mr. Watson a tenor singer. I dont feel so lonesome today as I did yesterday because the sun shines. I have been mending trousers today. I dont love to do it a bit. I can mend anything else with a good will. when are you coming to make us the promised visit? next year? Well good by Sister Bell.