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Osawatomie, April 2. 1855?

Dear Cynthia, We received your letter written the third of last month, last week, but [couldn't?] get time to answer it till this week. I had [unclear] chills last week - and I [wanted?] a little [preparatory?] to leaving [unclear] [unclear] having our country [unclear] [prepared?] this Spring. I will be ready [unclear] in a few days I hope. It's just a year today since we came into [unclear]on our way from Kansas [unclear] [unclear] - A year ago last night we slept in an old cabin where no one lived, on some hay with our blanket thrown over it. We started out from [there?] about three o'clock in the morning. That week and the week following were the most desolate days of my life, but those days are gone by with all their [unclear] [unclear] disappointment and death! We got father and mother's letter with two gold