[4]chased a nice horse and buggy David rides all he can and I think is improving. We, at home, are now comfortably [settled?], with [deleted: best guess some] surround- ings pretty much to our minds. In looking back Dan. over the changes which the last few years, or, I might almost say one year [has brought?]. I feel that God has led us by a way which we knew not, and has led us into pleasant pastures God is very good and my heart rises in gratitude to Him. Concerning the enclosed money order father wishes me to say that none but we four in the house shall be made acquainted. Mother send love to you and Emma, as do also Joanna and your Affectionate sister [Annie?]. [1] Portage City, Wis. Oct. 21st. 1872.Dear Brother As father has appoint- ed me scribe this evening, I step into Benjamin\u27s shoes and report all the changes, for better or for worse ,-(that [illegible] sends me back to the parlor, in the old house on Hickory Hill, and to the day when you and I stood up, joined hand and listened to those solemn words from [illegible] [of Dave the Squire .?] found in Sandy Gray\u27s old book which at that time opened so readily to the [illegible] from which this is quoted.) but to duty - Father says -: The pain in my stomach is subdued [2]and is healing [illegible] [underlined: slowly]; and except when much [tired?] by over [excertion?] either in think- ing or speaking, the [part ?] which [before?] required the application [illegible - whole line] [illegible - whole line] me to copy from, and which I enclose. Several times during the last three or four days father has come very [near?] faint- ing after any [illegible] [illegible], ] [deleted: illegible] [deleted: illegeible] ; he also appears better in the eve- ning than in the morning, this only today and yesterday.- David is still very poorly, and complains of having written a description of his [case?], to you over a week ago, and received [3]no answer. Last week John Cains wife, Love Reeves\u27 wife ([Robbie Perkins?]) and an other lady were riding down a steep hill in the buggy which we used to own, (a very high one you remember,) when, Love having left the tugs too long the buggie ran against the horse causing him to run, the ladies were all thrown riolently from the buggie into a ditch, Mrs. Cains had her left arm broken between the elbow and shoulder, Mrs. Reeves her shoulder [illegible] and bruised and her collar bone [illegible], or fractured. I hardly know her, the other lady escaped with but slight injuries. It now comes natural to report such [illegible] to you. P[illegible] and [illegible] have pur-
