ADDRESSED TO: Mr. A.J. Stage, Darbyville, Ohio   Pickaway Co.

FROM: Mother Mary E. Wood, Mansfield, Pa.

May the 12th  1889

Dear Children

I resieved your letter to weeks ago last fridy   Was glad to hear from you   I thought I woold wate untile I got home before I wrote you   I have ben working to Orson Smiths moste three wekes   Came home last night   Walked all the way home   Stayed to Mrs Noltons last night   Tonight Grace Lena stayes with me   I donte stay hear alone   Uncle Arad¹ said that he was coming down tomorow   I am going back to sew for Shalers and Caples and Kate² after I got through thair she would wante me   I havent fixed my clothes yet nor done enything to babys³ yet   I will as soon as i can   Have you shortened babys clothes yet   Donte roste her to death with her longe clothes on   Birte⁴ Misst White wonte pay me that money   I gave the order to Frand Longbotham   He asked him for it   He said that he would pay you when he saw you   If you drop him a line perhaps he would pay it   I would like to have it to gett something to fix Tessies dresses with   Helen I wante you to write and tell me how large your house is and if you have more than one room   How far is it from Berts folkes   It has been very warme wether hear   Last week I got a letter from Mate⁵ I will send it to you   I sent you the Telegram to weeks ago   I will send you todays Telegram   Thay are having a big time over professor Thomas   I donte no whether it will be in the Mansfilde paper or not   I have rote to Herbs folks and to Mate since I got your letter   I havent hurd from Kates folks since the first sunday after you wente away   Charley⁶ came and got thair things   I wish that I could thinke of more to write but I cant   You no whate a dred it is for me to wright   I donte no as you can reed this for I wrighte and cry like Mate rock and wright   O how I wish I could see that darling dear baby   Helen I wante you to wright as often as you can   Donte wate for me   What do you have to eat thair   I donte often sit down to eat without thinking about you all   I am afaraid that Mate wonte gett her money right away if she dose at tall   I close now for it is late   My love to you all

            from your

            Mother Mary E. Wood

I will put babys pin in this letter.

Notes from the peanut gallery:

1) Arad Smith

2) Kate is Kathryn (WOOD) Reynolds, eldest sister to Helen (Wood) Stage.

3) Tessie Stage

4) Albert Jackson Stage

5) Mary A. Wood.

6) Charles Reynolds, husband to Kate.