Your Letter & Picture & Paper came safe. I hope you will excuse me for not writing sooner I have been laid up with a pain in my back ever since tuesday last, but I am feeling better at this present time & hope to [be] able to go to work tomorrow [morn]ing. I cant find words to tell you how thankfull thankful I am for the Picture. I dont think that I ever had a present that I think more of than I do it. I am agoing going to have it framed if nothing happens I want that Picture to remain in my family as long as thier there is a member of it living. I would like very much to see you & have a long talk with you & if nothing happens I want you to visit us soon as the Weather gets pleasenter. We are as comfortable as the most of poor people that has to labor for a living. this is a very plaesent pleasant place in the summer time when the trees are all out in full bearing.
I will stop hopeing hoping this may find you improving in health.. also with much love & many thanks from myself & my Wife