[Envelope with green three cent stamp facing left.  Postmarked Fairfield]

Miss Sallie Robinson
Due West 
S.C.
care of Dr. J. I. Bonner

[letter]
Fairfield Texas
Febuary 9th 1879

Miss Sallie Robinson

Dear Sister

I received your letter some
time last week and I have
not had time to answer it
we all well except Fannie
she is still in bed and 
will not be out under a 
month if she improves all
so fast.  I have not had a 
good nights sleep in three
months.  I am about worn out 
I feel like I was a hundred 
years old.  Laura is still living
with us I do not know what 
we would do without her
she is like like my self 
broke down Fannie is on the
[page ]
improves but not able to turn
over with out help.
  I expect to travel with her
as soon as She is able to move
or the weather permits we
are going to the spring and all
round & May & Budy are well.
May can sing sing ["]where have you  *A*
been charming Fannie["] & dont you 
warnt ot[to] marry old woman.
And when she wants to go to 
Moma or Mrs. Powals[Powell] She says
Paper[Papa] I believe if go granma or Powals
Budy cannot talk yet but he knows
everything you say.  Brice & 
Sallie B. Bonner is to marry 
Wednesday of this week and they 
are going to Galveston on 
a bridal tuer[tour] I have got my 
mouth wanting for something
to eat _ as I have a invite
to the wedan [wedding]. I will go if
Fannie is so I can leave 
[page]
I have not heard from over 
the creek in some time, but they 
were a doing very well the last 
word. Paper[Papa] is speaking of
moving over the creek and building
near Bob D--- and if I sell my
place here I will go over there
too and I have an offer but
I will not take that for it.
We get plenty of eggs now
I have Cabbage Ledis[lettuce] Peas & corn
all up in my garden Moma 
has not commenced in hers 
yet  I will brake it up 
this evening.  Papa is in 
low spirits  he think that some-
thing is gnawing over his eye But
I think not he will go on in 
the cold wind & the wims???
and they get sour & hurt 
him for several days & 
then they get well.  W. E. Bonner
has a Miss Bonner at his house
[page]
Tell Hattie that [I] still look
for that picture of hers  
and to come to Texas with
you girls next summer
and to send me some of my 
favorite buds that I may once
more think of my boyhood 
days.  Tell Miss Mollie that 
I still have that lock of 
hair but far from the place 
it once grew.  Fannie 
sends love to you and 
says that she fear she will
never see you all again.
  Laura & May sends love 
to you all   May say when 
Moma gets well we going 
to Aunt Jane's to get sausage 
& Aunt Sallie to get wax.
    Yours and for ever
   J. P. Robinson

[*A* = The reference in line 8-9 is to an old folk song: "O where have been
Billy Boy, Billy Boy?  O where have you been charming Billy?  I have been to
seek a wife; She is the joy of my life;  She's a young thing that cannot leave
her mother."]