August 26, 1894, Salt Lake City,
Dear Cora and Leona, Dear Daughters,
At the sujection of your dear mamma, I now pen a few lines to you and I trust they will find you in the enjoyment of good health. Have just returned from meeting a Mrs. Foster lectured on womans rights. She is a rather small and a plain woman; but quite a fluent speaker. A lady of culture and force. She is from Boston, the daughter of a Clergyman.
I suppose you are having a jolly time, for I know our dear friend Sr. Emma, Sr. Neilsen and others will do all in their power to make your summer “outing” a pleasant one and mamma and I trust it will be of some profit to you as well. We were pleased to learn that you had been consulting the muses a little. You must try again. Of course you will bring a copy home for our inspection and criticism.
We regret that we cannot send you a little money, for pin money but will if possible, send you soon R.R. fair money home. We think of you and pray for you daily and your little sisters, at home, takes your names upon their lips daily, and cherish you in their hearts. I hope Cora, that as you are now just budding into woman hood, that you will be careful of your health, and that you may develop, and round out, in deed a credit to your parents, and to the Great Church with which you are connected. Our aim should be high. Be Kind to your Sister Leona. After her romp in the country, I trust she will return home with new life and a greater zest for school and studdy. We take it for granted that you will naturally desire to return to the fond imbrace of your parents in the near future.
With love to each of you and all friends.
You loving Father, P.P. Pratt
[Parley Parker Pratt Jr. & Descendants, Cora S. Winkler, 1992]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Dec. 2006]