75-06-20 Buckeye, Yolo Co., Cal June 20th 1875 from E E Norton to E Damrell

Dear Grand Ma        
It has bin Sometimes since I received your letter but I had so much work to do 
I neglected to write.  I had the harvest men to cook for and when I sat down I 
was to tiered to write.  I hope you will not think hard of me.  I can hardly 
ever get any help unless I hire a Chinaman and them I don't like.  There is 
but few white girls here that hieres out to work.  We have to pay from one to 
two dollars per day for anyone to help cook.  John is not done yet heading his 
grain.  we had a big rain last week that stoped every body from work.  I will 
injure a great deal of wheat.  this is the first time we ever had rain in 
harvest time in this Country.  the ground was wet enough to plow.
Our crop is vary good considering the dry wheather last Spring.  I got a 
letter from Alice not long ago.  they are all I am looking for Alice down 
soon.  I have not seen her for nearly four months.  Augustus and Andrew has 
gone to the Mountains this summer.  Augustus health is better this summer.  I 
hope he will get well.  I thought at one time that he would loose his mind but 
he apears well enough now.
Oh! grand if I could but see you so many things that is to tedious to write 
every time I get a letter from you I think more abut comeing back to see you. 
 My earnest desire is to you again while in this world but I do hop to in a 
better world than this.  There has bin so many Emigrants come here this summer 
from MO but none that we new in this part of the Country.  
John lost one of his best mules about month ago.  it fell dead in the harness. 
he paid for the span of mules $5.60 dollars when he bought them all in gold  I 
don't know wheather you can read this or not my pen is so bad.  I have got a 
hole box and none any acount.  I have raised a good many chickens and ducks 
this summer.  I have sold two dozzen ducks for 7 dollars per dozzen and have 
96 ducks yet.  hens is worth 7 dollars per doz.
My children have bin exposed to the houping cough and expect them to tak it 
soon.  the measels is all around us to but will keep them close at home for 
feare they will get it to gether.
I must tell you I had one of Mas pictures enlarged and framed and it is as 
natural as life.  I sent it clear back to Iowa, it cost 8 dollars but I would 
not tak any thing for it.  you must excuse this poorly writen letter letter 
for the children has talked to me all the time.  this is Sunday.  Give my love 
to Uncle Ning & Aunt Thena and the children and all enquiring friends and a 
thousand good wishes for your self and hope still to see again.  I have many 
dear relatives I would like to see.  write soon.
   Eliza E.Norton