Marie Antoinette Sanders letter to her daughter about 5 weeks after Nellie died. Davenport, March 19, '94 My dear Ella, I have been trying for sometime to make all things suit to write to you, but one thing after another would prevent and it is so long since I have written that I am so out of the practice, that I fear that you will not be able to decipher it, for I can only use one eye, and that is very defective. I have thought much about you and many times thought of writing, but I write so little now adays that I can not make up my mind to inflict my poor efforts upon you for I know you have many more correspondents that can give you more satisfactory letters than I can. I hope that you are recovering from the severe strain upon your nervous system as well as your fatigue of body & mind. And I hope that the kind Father will send you the comfort & strength you need to carry you through this and all the trials and troubles of the future, and that we may all be permitted to meet in the better home above, the dear ones who have been removed from our society here, and enjoy a more perfect comp! anionship above, "Where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." I have had the Oakdale lots on which Dear Nellie was burried transfered to you, as I am the only heir to it & I will send you the deed. When the spring opens up and you can come, we will go out to the Cemetery and get the lots put in order and set out some flowers & shrubbery. The grass & shrubbery are getting quite green and bright in our garden. In a few more days, some flowers will begin to peep above the earth. Josie has had trouble with her throat & head and been offered to stay out of school last week but has started in again today, we have all been troubled more or less with colds and influenza which are prevalent. I spent a pleasant afternoon and evening last week at Mrs. Bern's with some of the old ladies of the neighborhood, and had a very nice supper. How is Edith now? I hope she has survived her vaccination and Freddie his sprained ancle. Josie has recovered from vaccination and Catarrh and is in school again. We have all been through our several attacks of winter ailments, but are now convalescent and have been enjoying the evidences of springs return. I think we cannot make much complaint about the weather this winter and approaching spring. With much love to all. Affectionately, Your Mother M. A. Sanders