Milwaukee, January 11, 1904

Dear Sister:

No doubt you have given up on me for bad job long ago and I do not wonder, if the new baby will be grown up and Angela married and gone before you know it. Will I think of you all very often and I wish so often that we could see you all but letter writing has been almost beyond me. The fact is I have been overextended physically and mentally that simply given up letter writing except to my sisters, the care of my mother has been more than any woman should do but that and all the hard work connected with the housekeeping has really worn me out. Mother is so childish, she is not willing I should go out of the house hardly out of sight. She will call mea great many times a day and all she will want is just to see me. That would be all right if I had nothing else to do. But we will all be old some day though I hope and pray that I will not. Dr Kennedy says I need not worry for certain I have a change my mother will outlive me. Well how are you with all your cares. Is this baby as good as little Angela? And has she a name? I think Ruth Collins would be nice. Always wished I had had another little girl that would have been her name. Does she look like Angela and what does Angela think of her.?

We have had so much lightning this winter more than before and to day looks like more. Just got a letter from Providence, he has sent me a quarter of beef. He has sent me so much stuff. This year filled the cellar with all kinds of vegetables, sent fresh pork, sausage and chicken. I tell you it has helped but out living is high.

Lura has written ?? she has written all the news and recovery of her friends Peter McDowell ; Mrs. Wo is failing so very fast and unless she gets better soon am afraid she will not last long and sorry for Fannie, They are so nice.

Well, must stop and get lunch now.

Write when you can. I know your hands are full. We do enjoy Angela's pictures. They are all up in prominent places.

Same to will yourself and the little ones. Mother sends her love too.

Emogene Collins