Mother was much pleased that you expressed a wish to be near them.  It will be such a short time now till you come home that I don't think Austin will try very hard to sell; he don't feel like taking the responsibility of buying for you.  Old Andy Strain sold his farm of fifty acres, last week to Mr. Persons for 100 dol, on the strength of Petroleum, there is a spring on the place in which the crude oil has been found.  A great many make light of the existence of Coal Oil in the State but I have faith in it.  Time will develope that as well as otheres recouses of wealth. As for my whereabouts from this time till you come home, I can't say, I feel very undesided what to do, fathers folks never asked me to go till I mentioned the subject and told them what you said about it and now they don't insist on it very hard but I don't blame them for it, - they have had a large family so long, that they doubtless feel like being alone.  I don't want to teach and I don't want to go to Austins.  So its hard to tell what I will do.  Its a bad state of affairs isn't it; but don't let it trouble you for a moment, I'll have some place to stop till you come home without doubt. I am going up to Desmoines tomorrow it is the 4th of March the day of our Presidential inauguration; there is to be a great jubilee all over the North.  It is also the day of our covenant meeting.  I am going to pay Bro Nash ten dollars too, I have not given him anything for more than a year, it's too bad, these hard time, hard times for those who buy everything.  Emma is down to Aunt Sarahs. they are all well both here and down there.  My health as good as ever, every one is remarking how well I look.  I do wish you would go down to New Orleans and get some good photographs, but I forgot you were ordered away; I am so sorry you did not get your shirts, I sent them though the R. Sun P. O, or meant to have them go through my paper is full, so good bye dearest.  Mary.