Dear Children

I resieved your letter to weeks ago last fridy   Was glad to hear from you   I thought I woold wate untile I got home before I wrote you   I have ben working to

Orson SMITH

Who is Orson Smith? Any relation to Arad Smith?.

moste three wekes   Came home last night   Walked all the way home   Stayed to

Mrs NOLTONs

Second letter in a row that mentions Mrs. KNOWLTON.

last night   Tonight

Grace Lena

Who is Grace Lena?

stayes with me   I donte stay hear alone  

Uncle Arad

Arad SMITH.

said that he was coming down tomorow   I am going back to sew for SHALERs and CAPLEs and

Kate

Sarah Katherine "Kate" (WOOD) REYNOLDS, sister to Helen (WOOD) STAGE.

after I got through thair she would wante me   I havent fixed my clothes yet nor done enything to

babys

Tessie Viola (STAGE) DARCY, b. Oct 14, 1888.

yet   I will as soon as i can   Have you shortened babys clothes yet   Donte roste her to death with her longe clothes on  

Birte

Is this a term of endearment or exasperation, like Bitte or Birdy?. Was thinking it might be "Bert" but that is spelled properly later in the letter.

Misst WHITE wonte pay me that money   I gave the order to Frand LONGBOTHAM   He asked him for it   He said that he would pay you when he saw you   If you drop him a line perhaps he would pay it   I would like to have it to gett something to fix Tessies dresses with   Helen I wante you to write and tell me how large your house is and if you have more than one room   How far is it from

Berts folkes

Bert's folks would be at least his father, John Albert Stage.

   It has been very warme wether hear   Last week I got a letter from

Mate

Mary A. "Mate" WOOD.

I will send it to you   I sent you the Telegram to weeks ago   I will send you todays Telegram   Thay are having a big time over

professor THOMAS

Working theory: Dennison Thomas was principal of Mansfield State Normal School 1880-1892. What did he do?

   I donte no whether it will be in the Mansfilde paper or not   I have rote to

Herbs folks

Herbert M. WOOD, brother to Helen (WOOD) STAGE.

and to Mate since I got your letter   I havent hurd from

Kates folks

Sarah Katherine "Kate" (WOOD) REYNOLDS, sister to Helen (WOOD) STAGE.

since the first sunday after you wente away  

Charley

Charles A. WOOD, brother to Helen (WOOD) STAGE
 *OR*
Charles REYNOLDS, husband to Kate.

came and got thair things   I wish that I could thinke of more to write but I cant   You no whate a dred it is for me to wright   I donte no as you can reed this for I wrighte and cry like Mate rock and wright   O how I wish I could see that darling dear baby   Helen I wante you to wright as often as you can   Donte wate for me   What do you have to eat thair   I donte often sit down to eat without thinking about you all   I am afaraid that Mate wonte gett her money right away if she dose at tall   I close now for it is late   My love to you all

I will put babys pin in this letter.