117 John Street N. York
July 2nd, 1867
My Dear Wife, Mary Ann.
On the 29th of June, I wrote to Marian, that I would purchase her a small Franklin Stove at Omaha and that I had purchased 9 picture frames and glass, for the photo grafhs which I sent. I remention these items, for fear the letters may not reach, on account of Indian difficulties. Today I have ordered three feather beds, each to contain 25 lbs. of the best of feathers. The price of feathers is very high: they are selling from $1;25 to $1,50 cents per lb. I succeeded in getting them somewhat cheaper. When the freight is paid, each bed will cost about $37. One of these is intended [page break] for you; one for Adelia Ann; and one I shall hold in reserve. You and Adelia Ann have the largest number of children, and need the beds more than the others. In buying these things, I have encroached upon the means which I intended to pay freight, which will bring me somewhat in debt. But I knew that you and Adelia Ann could scarsely get along without them. As I am getting the most of my fare paid from here to Omaha, I may still have nearly funds enough to pay freight.
I expect to start for the Julesburg terminus, 400 miles west of Omaha, in about 6 or 8 days. I wrote in a former letter that your brother Valentine had married a young wife; will not go to Zion this season. Bro. Brigham Kimball who was so sick in Philadelphia is gone west, with three of the brethren; he rides nights in the sleeping cars, being carried, like a child, in and out of the same.
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I was in hopes to have received a letter from you, while here; but I presume you, like myself, did not know of the lengthy tarry that I made here.
I suppose you have learned by my former letters, that I have made purchases of some goods, which I am in hopes may sell in Utah for $800 or $1000. These I wish to sell, and keep the avails in my own hands for the purpose of repurchasing at the New York wholesale prices.
I think I can get credit from Godbe & Mitchell for a sewing machine for you, providing that you can make the machine pay for itself in the course of a year or so. Are you willing to try one on those terms? You may answer this question, when we meet.
Please give my kind love to all the children, and to Marian; and be assured of my kind love to [page break] yourself. I am engaged every Sabbath in preaching to the Saints here. I enjoy myself very much, and am blessed with excellent health; still fleshy; not quite bald-headed; beard one foot long, nose crooked; head on one side; phrenological developments not much altered; love of home greatly on the increase.
I hope you and all my family may be more prospered than they have been formerly; and seek diligently to become self-sustaining.
I also hope that the day will eventually come, when all my family may be gathered, at least, into the same city. Good bye, until I write again, or see you.
From yours, most affectionately
Orson Pratt, Sen.
[transcribed by Sylvia Hill, Mar 2010]