n't think of the price of the thing you give them, but they seem to
feel the heart behind it. Billy put his arms just as tight around
Nannie's neck when she didn't have nothing in her hands for him, as when
they was full.

I heard through Long Dave that Jim has been pinched in Chicago, but they
think he will get off. He struck me for fifty but I wouldn't cough up,
he can go to the pen for all I care. I always did tell him that stripes
become his style of beauty. You know he is like a lot of crooks that
even hate to look at a barber's pole cause of the stripes on it, and
when you stop to think about it, you never see a crook wear a striped
suit of clothes. They will wear plain colors, pepper and salts,
cheques, but no stripes for the con man, they make him nervous.

I am coming down next week. I wish I could bring you something but I
don't know what you could use. I am glad you are getting along so well,
Kate, you will get four months off, won't you? I miss you awful, you are
the only one I can talk to, and though you don't see some things my way,
you are my sister, the only mother I ever knew. I wish when you are
quiet there, Kate, you would think things over and decide to do
different. You and me and Billy could go away somewhere. You must see by
this time, Kate, that thieving don't pay. Why you are only thirty-three
years old, and you have had five years in the pen and you are getting
bitter and sour and you will have a grouch against life, and you know
you are awfully clever, if you could only turn your brain to something
honest, I don't see why you couldn't get along. I believe we could save
up some money and go somewhere and start a boarding house. I can cook
real well, and I believe something could be doing in that line.

Billy had a party and it sure was some party. Mrs. Smith asked some of
the farmers' children in, and she gave them cake, and I brought him out
presents and give each of the children a toy. Billy ate too much cake
and was awful sick in the night. Mrs. Smith give him some medicine and
he was all right the next day, and ready to eat more cake. Why, he eats
all the time, Kate, and he is the fattest, biggest boy. We dress him
awful swell. Mrs. Smith makes her boy's clothes and I help her and we
made Billy some funny little linen pants like a Dutch baby, and he is
the cutest looking thing. We cut his hair off square, but it still curls
and don't look Dutch at all.

Good night, I must go to bed.