$$H156 Part of the Diane Tempest Catalogue$$H
New York, Dec. 4th 1864
Dear Brother
I have now detained this letter another week but no signs
whatever of your
expected likeness and letter, altho 2 steamers have arrived from
Europe
during this past week. I perceive by the papers that Franc
Mutter was
executed. If I receive your letter and likeness at any time as a
token
thereof I will immediately send you a newspaper called "The
Police Gazette"
with the "Sun" newspaper enclosed in it, followed the next week
by another
called "The World'' - I have you [your?] wife's (Susan) likeness
safe laid up in
the Bible awaiting yours, so that I may have both framed
together - there
will add greatly to the many pictures I have around me - my
little home is
called "The Curiosity Shop", I have so much to look at, as it
amuses me
much. These 2 last weeks I am totally idle, as business is
extremely
bad - paper so very dear as you may perceive by the Narket
[Market?] Table
on The "Sun" which appears weekly on that paper - you will have
to excuse
this dirty letter - I wi1l reply to you next letter about New
Years next -
1 now wish you a "happy Christmas" and "New Years" I was
thinking of writing
this letter over again as an incident has just happened it, but
I really am not able
I am now tired out as I have written a long one to my Son just
before this,
My wife (Maria) George, Charley and daughter Maria join in love
with me to
you and wife and daughters, also the grandchildren desires me
say "and me
too" Adieu till I hear from you, may God protect you till the
last and
that we all meet in the other land where troubles never come to
pass no more. I trust you have laid hold on Him who is mighty
to save,
even to the very uttermost - if so be faithful even until death.
Your affectionate "Brother"
J. M. Skellern
Direct 224 West 27th St.
Between 8th and 9th Avenue
N. York.
Transcribed by Jonathan Engstrand
