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Feb 25th 1855 [to Nathan - Areli Stedman]

Dear Brother

It has been a long long time since I wrote to you or to any one else I have had a [fellon?] on my first finger on my right hand I suffered a good deal with it, but it has got most swell now but is quite tender yet, I was down home about two weeks ago had a very pleasant time while there Libbie and I received your very welcome letter but I was sorry to learn that you are going so far from us. What can we do without you? Indiana is a very dear place to me because that was our dear Jossie's home she lived and died there. I do hope you will conclude that it is best for you not to go to Nebraska if you should go, do not think of going without coming home for sure all want to see you

[written along the left-hand side of the page] My sheet is nearly full so I shall have to stop. this is written so badly I don't know as you can read it but my finger is quite weak so that I tremble but I wanted to write to you so much I commenced as soon as I could for this is the second letter I have written for more than five weeks I wrote home Friday and am going to write to all my correspondents soon. I will not ask any question about yourself for you will tell them with out. I must speak of our Sunday school. we have a very large one for us. [Mr. Berron?] superintends it. I am very much interested in it. I am in Sister Marg's class we have forty dollars of new books of the very best kind. When you write tell me all about Mr. [illegible] folks Lydia, and all your brothers I want to tell you what I have been reading. Dream Life it is a kind of a novel but a very good one. History of Josephine and Madam Ballard I read last I think them very interesting I would write more about what I have been reading if I had room now do write to me very soon for I do want to know how your health is and what you are going to do. come home if you can from your affectionate sister Areli