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La Porte Jan 16, 1855 My dear friend Abby I have just written a letter to Mary although it is my busy time I will say a few words to you before I retire let me thank you for your good letter. It was kind of you and Mary to write me so good a letter A letter so full of sympathy. It cast a ray of sunshine into my heart and I hope such rays will come frequently to me from you and Mary. I will talk to you tomorrow but before I bid you goodnight let me tell you how I live when I am here in town. I have a good office with two good rooms and one of these rooms I have neatly furnished and use as my sleeping room and home. I eat at the hotel but this is my home. I am as comfortably situated as I well can be in the absence of my wife. I am grateful for the blessings I enjoy. I am so well now but cannot but sometimes wish my good Josephine was with me for our home was a happy one. The true wife is indeed the life and light of home. But I will bid you good night and talk with you tomorrow. Jan 18 I did not finish this letter yesterday as I expected when I commenced it as I was unexpectedly called out of town yesterday had a very hard day’s work. I do not know when I have been as tired as I was last night and I feel dull today so I am fearful that I shall not write you as good A letter as you did me but judging from my own feelings I am sure you will prefer even a short letter to none. When I came home last night I found a good letter in my box at the PO awaiting me from sister Lydia.