[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading. The letter has no year date, but can be definitely dated 1881, as the writer (Annie Mateer, wife of William D. Mateer) refers to the recent visit by her sister in law, Lillie, and brother in law, Robbie (Robert M. Mateer), heading west, and just having visited them. Robert & Lillie went to China in Nov. 1881, and were at this time travelling west to San Francisco, to take a steamer from there to China, and visiting family members along the way.]Onarga Oct 24th
My dear Mother [mother-in-law Mary N. Mateer]
I have just read your letter to Willie [her husband, William D. Mateer], I do feel so sorry for you in your lonliness [sic], and thought maybe a few lines from me might add a mite to your comfort. I do miss Lillie so much myself, and know it is nothing to the way you feel. We thoroughly enjoyed her visit. She met most of my special friends, and they were all so much pleased with her. I drove her to Gilman, but had a lonely, sorrowful ride home alone. I suppose you have heard from her ere this. We had a short letter written after they left John's [John D. Mateer]. They were getting along famously, and said they were enjoying the trip much better than they had expected. John's new house was nice and comfortable, and when they get [it] fixed, could live very nicely. Jennies sister and sister-inlaw were there, and helped through with the work, which I expect was a good thing. Jennie is not very well they said. John looks quite like a farmer. Lillie thinks they live in a dreadfully lonely place. I was so glad she got over her sickness while with us. That long ride from Hamburg in the rain would have made her sick, if she had gone at such a time. They had a delightful visit at Omaha, and took a splendid basket of lunch from there. Robbie wrote that they 'fared sumptuously' every day. I hope we shall hear from them again the last of this week.
I am writing down at the store, have just finished posting my books. Have I told you that I have undertaken to keep the books for them here at the store. It breaks in on my time somewhat, taking part of each morning, but I like to do it, and they are very busy in the store these days. I wish you could see how comfortably we are fixed in our new home, and I do wish you were here with us. It would not best [?] you so much, and certainly be much pleasanter. I'm sure too that you would very much like Mr Wilbur, he is so thoroughly in earnest and so practical. We like him better than any one we ever had here. I'm sorry to have troubled you about that goods. Mrs Stocking went to Chicago and got hers there, and I did not think it would do for a dressing gown. The figure was too small.
The friends here all ask about you very often, and think you are surely a wonderful woman to give up your children as you do. I tell them you do not do it in your own strength, I guess when we get ready to go you had better go with us.
We have just had a letter from Julia [wife of Calvin W. Mateer, a missionary in Shantung Province, China], rejoicing that Robbie & Lillie were so soon to be there. She said she hoped they would be there for Thanksgiving. Give my love to Mrs Gilchrist, how sorry I am she has to suffer so much & long. I didn't think the atmosphere there is just the best for you, aside from Ellen and Amity - it struck me as being very depressing. And I wish you were away from there. Is there any talk of Mr Reigart leaving? I have written this in such haste I'm afraid you can hardly read it. Give much love to all friends, and write to us when you feel able. We are always so glad to get your letters. I'm feeling more like my old self now. I guess its bcause I don't have to overwork. Isn't Aunt Mary with you? love to her.
Ever your loving daughter Annie.