him his Grandpa could not pay $4 he had agreed to pay him and if he could not wait another week he was short and crusty he also got a letter from Sister H[arriet] saying they would come here soon. We were glad hope they will do well here. Mr Wilson called here father intended to try and borrow money of him to pay Weare he bought one gal of syrup 24 Father went to Marena for some flour Julia Etoile and Grace went with him as far as Mr Butts The boys and I staid at home Loui was so hungry I cooked an egg for him he divided it with Collie then made a little candy I eat a little rice corn I had biscuit and a couple of eggs a piece and had a comfortable supper we have 29 chickens we all feel rather sad and discouraged a debt of $4 to pay and no money to do it with Oh Lord do help us we beseech thee Julia had another school offered her at Marena today 25 very pleasant and warm father plowed alone E[toile] and L [ouis]and little Grace planted rice corn with me Collie took Mr Grigsby scorn 5 � qts cane seed tried to borrow $5.00 to pay Weare but he said he could not spare it We think he could Mr Newcomb called here Father and Julia took Lightning behind the wagon and picketed him out near where we plowed he behaved quite well we were glad it was as well. We had a hard blow and little rain last night Little five year old Grace told her brother Loui six years old while planting corn with him to work good and he should be placed among the stars 26 Very warm and pleasant Etoile Collie and L[ouis] planted rice corn Father plowed Julia and Grace kept house and made a little garden We are unable to buy garden seeds Oh I wish I could have the comforts of life but I bless the Lord for all my blessings E[toile] and C[ollie] got their Arithmetic lesson at noon and Louis read and Grace. [PAGE BREAK] Apr 27 1881 Today is my darling Etoiles birthday 12 years old today and she has planted corn all day with me Julia helped us after dinner Collie went after the cow but could not find her we came from work after dark and had to bake bread for supper and do baking after supper all abed but me and my last loaf is done Collie brought a young rabbit 4 miles on a horse he is so fond of pets dear children I hop God will bless my precious children and make their pathway in some respects more smooth than mine. And Father I hope will God will bless him and his fathfulness. Oh how sad and blue I felt when I thought how poor we were and how many perplexities we had I hope God will take care of Harrison on his journey and his family and all my relatives and save us when we die I feel sad because I am unable to pay some small debts Etoile wrote a letter and mailed it today to Gen Grant 28th warm and pleasant Father plowed went to the blacksmiths got the three horses feet pared and plow sharpened took a gal of syrup to pay him found the cow at Mr Prindle's Father and Collie took dinner there Julia planted with me until noon then Etoile and Louis planted corn with me until night 29 pleasant but cool this morning Father plowed and Etoile and I planted rice corn. I am thankful for all the blessings I have but I cant help being troubled about a great many things I am so poor Julia wrote to Mr Waters to hear about her school today. The grass is green and our stock except the work horses get their living and have for two weeks everything looks lovely if those that had my money other property had done right by me I should be very comfortable right now The ground is in good condition for plowing and as Father a man most 76 is plowing alone while I am planting one neighbor has planted 35 acres and others probably done as well a great deal of garden is in we have no money nor garden seed