Father, Brothers, and Sisters, for some of my good folks benefit, I will tell you,
Zetty, that I swear less now and for a long time back than I did when I left home, and
I do not average playing one game of cards a week. I believe some of them think I
have become wild, swear, steal, and drink whiskey all the time. It is not so, Zetty,
I have not drank two gallons of whiskey since I left home, and my swearing amounts
to about the same. Some say they would not write to a man that swore in their letters.
What I do or say I care not who knows it. I never pretend to be anything but a
wicked man. I know some that do a little swearing and pretend to something better.
If any person does not wish to write to me because I swear, all right. Still I
want all to write. I love letters from home. Zetty, tell little Mary to be good to
you till I come home, and I will bring her a little Pit Negro. You and her must
never quarrel. This is Sabbath day, so I have just heard, and it is three oclock.
I suppose you have been to church and had on your pretty clothes, and me here not
knowing it was Sabbath day. It is impossible to tell
