Boston. Feb. 22-04.Miss Lucy Baker.
Holyoke. Mass.Dear Cousin.
Please accept my very tardy thanks for your kindness in remembering me with the invitation to your Junior Functions. I feel very much flattered to have have [sic] had. an invitation to such a fete - and am very sorry that I could not accept. I considered [?] the question well and decided that a rhumaticy [sic] old man hobbling around under the glow of electric lights and electrifying smiles with some fair damsels gloved arm linke[d] with his right crutch would be on the whole a trifle incongru [sic] I am improving. I am equally lame in both knees now. Since I limp in both it don't show.
Sincerely Yours.
Fred.