McFarland-Russell Letter, February 25, 1881

Newton Texas Feb 25 1881

Mrs Kate C. Russell

Dear Sister

I know you wonder why I don't write, and if it was not that I know you wish to hear I could not write I have been sick for Two weeks not confined to my bed but not able to do any thing I took cold and it has fallen in my back & bowels There is no one that knows how I have suffered and yet suffer. I would not be so bad off if I was all right but as it is it is allmost death I will soon be all right I hope I was affraid it would cause comsumption but so far I have no symtoms of that dreaded desease Hoy & Tommie are well excepting colds Mr Smith has been half sick ever since he returned home from the west, Tho he is plowing he can not hire a hand to work, And every Darkie is nearly on the starve,

Mr Smith went down to the sale he bought some Books and the book case and the

compass and some plows was all he bought I wanted Pa's watch but it run too high I told Mr Smith not to bid too much for it. Well you know there was nothing very valuable so they went very cheap, some few articals sold well for the times Well Kate this piece of paper is all I can find so please excuse it for I am all most too bad off to write. We planted our Garden early but is all to replant, The Mustard is looking very well for its chances & lettuce and Onions Write to me and tell me all the news. Hoy sends kisses. Love to you all Tell Cecile & Mary I would send them a big message but all I can write now is Kisses for them both, and I send Lots of flowers to Hoy & Tommie to show them they do not pull up. Mamas flowers like the boys do, goodbye write soon our Love to you all ever your Affectionate Sister Maggie Smith