ADDRESS TO:    Mrs. Helen Stage, Lambs Creek, Tioga Co., Pa.

FROM:    Sisters-in-law, Ida Stage, postmarked Darbyville, Ohio

        December the 19th    1891

Dear Sister and Brother and little Nieces¹.  i now take those fiew spair moments to answer your kind and welcome letter i received some time ago.  it dident find any of us well but we are toliable well.  i have got the headache.  i hope those few lines will find you all well and your Ma to.  i havent been well since Ma Died².  if aunt hellen³ has been to your house she can tell you better how sick i was then i can.  i was to sick to know anything.  the Dr. injected morphine in my arm.  he told me the other day if i had waited an hour longer it would have been no use for him to come.  he was with me all the afternoon and i thought i was all right so he went home.  about an hour after he was gon i begin to get worse but i dident tell any body.  about midnight they went for Dr. and he staid the rest of the knight.  him and Aunt Helen and Frank⁴ sat up.  Mrs. Ankrom was awffle good to me.  pa⁵ was at Circleville yesterday.  i was at Darbeyville.  Stella⁶ was at Claras⁷.  Andy⁸ and Clara and the Children was at home today.  Clara and i went down to Mrs. Ankroms this afternoon and her and Emma⁸ came home with us.  You wanted to know where i spend thanksgiving.  i spent it at home quilting.  we are all going to Darbyvill to the Christmas tree a Christmas eve.  Tom was down today.  he said Kate⁹ and the Children were all sick.  tell Birt Marth Davis was berried the second day of this month and Sallie Timmons 9th and Em Baggar the same day.  Lottie Dick and a girl at Derby the next day.  there is a good many sick now.  Perry Dossen is dead to.

    what do you expect to get a Christmas.  tell Birt he must get Tessie a doll and when she comes home i will Dress it for her.  i do hope you will come back.  if you want to come you neadent wait for your house to be empty.  you can stay with us till it is.  i get so lonesome if it wasent for Mrs. Ankrom i dont kno what i would do when pa and Stella are both gone.  Well i will tell you what i have done and what i have got to do.  i have knit five pair of double Mittens and two single pair    one pair Stocking    1 pair socks footed one pair socks and pair Stocking   got three pair Double mittens and two pair Stockings yet.  One dress for Stella    one for me to make    finish joining my quilt and finishing quilting the one i have in the frames.  i think that piece of your dress is awfle pretty.  Clarence brought my letter to me.  he said he would have to hear how his little Tessie is getting along.  Bettie sends her love to you all.  Mrs Ankrom said send her love to you and your family.  Dr. Miller said if you come back he would have to call on you and see that Baby.  i cant think of any more to rite this time so good By from your Sister Ida Stage to her sister and Brother A.J. and Helen Stage.  Oh i foregot to tell you that George Ridgway and Jane Mckinley are married.  Well i will close hopeing to hear from you sooner than i usualy do.  i shall expect your pictures for a Christmas present.

    Miss Ida M Stage

        Darbyville    Pickaway Co

                                        Ohio

Kiss the Children fore me.  i guss John will stay in your house next year.

These are all pieces of Stellas Dresses.

NOTES FROM DOROTHY THURSTON:

There was a business card enclosed - B. W. Freeman, Spiritual Clairvoyant, Physician, Columbus, Ohio.

The writer's signature shows that people were still using the 's' that resembles 'f'.

Notes from the peanut gallery:

1) Tessie Viola and Nellie Avis.

2) Mary (Knapp) Stage died in November of 1891.

3) Helen L. (COLEGROVE) STAGE, wife of Charles E. STAGE.

4) Sure would like to know who Frank is.

5) John A. Stage.

6) Estella Stage.

7) Clara (STAGE) Willoughby.

8) Andrew Thomas Willoughby.

9) Katherine (Stage) ?.  My money says Tom's her husband.  His surname is unknown at the moment.