[Letter from John C. Brewer to Emma Davis, March 23 & 24, 1879] Page: 4 of 6 (Transcription)

howdy for me and that I would like to see them, Leona especially. Tell them to come with you all when you come up here. Emma, I am ashamed to send you this awful piece of penmanship, which looks about as well as a ten year old boy could do, but will have to plead my old excuse, hard work unfits my hand and muscles for writing. With all the love I possess at your command, and in your sweet hands,

I remain your ever true, devoted, and affectionate friend,
Johnie B.

"I will submit myself to tired native sweet restorer."

Monday morn, 24th Mar.

As I have a few leisure moments this morn before breakfast I will try to finish answering your letter. Emma, you know how deeply I sympathize with you in your continued ill health, but I fear sympathy will not bring the means to restore you, but if I could I should never allow you to suffer for one moment. But as that is not in my power, I shall have to let it be as one wiser than me has decreed: and I always try, Emma, to think that "everything's for the best" and have always found it to come out that way. Emma, I never thought you were mad or felt slighted; well, I did think

Tell your Ma if I thought