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Anna Jan 17 '59 My Dear Mother I wish I could see you this morning & have a good talk. Though nothing very special, there is much I want to say if I could talk it: I have my good girl back & have not quite so much household care as for a number of weeks past. I have been sewing on the machine this morning, getting initiation in its mysteries, for it is really quite an art to use it skillfully: I have not attempted anything very nice on it yet, have just made a pair of chemises for Libby on all except gathering; this can be done but I cannot yet. I was not probably more than two hours about it including all my stops, breaking thread, taking out crooked work & doing over again so you can imagine what a help & comfort it will be: I have about thirty yards of unbleached cotton to make up & the work will be really quite a pleasure to do it on the machine. Nettie is not yet as much versed in its use as I am but Isaac can do quite well is much taken up with it, he calls aloud for work to do on it, whenever he can share time to spend a while upon it. Isaac has been

here this P. M. sewing on machine Wilder enjoying himself with Libby who is & glad to have any thing to amuse though not also to open her eyes The docter has not been very well for a few days the weather has been unfavorable for health so warm raining & wanting a fresh brisk cold air. We have had but three days of cold weather this season. Aunt Nancy seems quite low this P. M. and should not be surprised if she continues but a few hours I hope you will write again soon Much love to you dear Mother from us all. Aff. daughter Anna