[4]very free. Now I think I have made my case very plain to you; Am almost as- hamed of taking up a whole letter with self.Maggie has gone to Kanses City to visit Joanna & Father. Her health has been very poor this winter; she will be back in a week or two.You came very near visiting us. But Almost is but [illegible]With love to your Loui and little Wanda, I close Your [Off.?] [Sister?] Annie L. [illegible][1]Crete, Feb. 14. 1884.Dear Brother JohnI know that a letter from me is more than due you, but I have delayed for two reasons, first I find writing very fatiguing; and I did not know what to say - was waiting for developments but I have not gained as much as I had hoped for during the winter, and now see plainly that I cannot hope to make California in the spring. Indeed I have been patiently waiting for strength to go to Kansas City, which has not yet come, and that is only about 200 miles; so you see Cal. is (2) yet far beyond my strength. So I must be content just where I am for the present.[Darren?] was here about a month ago and re-examined my lungs. The left lung he still says is quite sound, and the right-one doing well.Last October he said the lower lobe of the right, was entirely consolidated, or [kepatized?], and the middle lobe partially so. At his last visit he said, that the lowest lobe had partly cleared itself and that the process is go- ing on ?] and in other parts. Such was his very encouraging report a month ago, but I took cold, or something I hardly know what, and have not been as well since - have coughed more, and the cough hurt me more than before - and I have(3) been raising a little blood. Now I fear all this looks very discouraging, and discouraged to you.Think not so.The weather has been very cold and unfavorable this month 10 degrees below zero yesterday, wtih a cloudy sky most of the time Now I think that with milder dryer weather, I will quickly improve.I sit up most of the time. Generally from about 10 A.M. till 7 or 8 P.M. take care of my own room, do a little light fancy work take short walks tc._ My appetite is good, and I have not lost weight since coming to Neb. Dan. Says this damp climate is just the thing for me, as my cough is loose, expectoratio
