No 6  Cottage Home, Iowa  Sunday Dec 6th 1863 Dear Husband, This is Sabbath evening, we have just got home from the funeral of Gum McCalls youngest child, little Fremont, he and Jared Irwin's little girl died yesterday morning, both with Scarlet fever or rash; you know that Gum and Lucinda think so much of their children, this is the first one they have lost, and it is a sore trial for them both; Gum has been very serious for a good while, this trouble may have an influence for good.  Innocent little things! they never could have been taken in a better time.  After the burial, we went back to Gum's to dinner; all of Uncle's folks were there except Ross and his John, poor little fellow has been very much aflicted this fall with rheumatism.  I do think Uncle's folk are the best people I ever knew, there is so much child-like simplicity in their manner; native politeness that never can be equaled by any affected city lady or gentleman.  I always thought it did me good to go there for I always come home with good resolutions to improve in the future.  Well it is getting late and I will bid you good night dear husband.
