The envelope bore the postmark of a small town in Indiana, and the inclosure was worded as follows: CAPTAIN CYRUS WHITTAKER.
DEAR SIR: I suppose you will be a good deal surprised to hear from me, especially from way out West here.

When you bought the old house of Seth, he and I was living in Concord, N.H.He couldn't make a go of his business there, so we came West and he has been sick most of the time since.

We ain't well off like you, and times are hard with us.

What I wanted to write you about was this.

My cousin Mary Thomas, Mary Thayer that was, is still living in Concord and she is poor and needs help, though I don't suppose she would ask for it, being too proud.