Matthew Gage to Mary Margaret Sanders (7 July 1858)

              Say to John George Roberts has had this spring 
an attack of "Apoplexy")
I have had repaired Jerries buggy 
& horse looks fat & well,"
lost my big mule 3 or 4 days ago of flat.  July 7th 1858")
Dear Daughter Mary )
I am in receipt of a letter but 
a few days since from Jerrie with yours to him enclosed to you."
Mother is having a leisure moment at this very fine July after 
noon I propose to write you a word or more that you may simply 
learn that I and family are yet through the mercies of heaven "
alive & kicking - your mother however having spent but a 
day or two since a severe attack of her old affliction, but is as 
usual up to day and on her feet again.  I know of nothing 
new that has transpired recently that would prove of interest to you )
Your old friend. Miss Virgel & Ellen are now enjoying a 
visit to the cost.  Consequently know but little of them on 
Virg' return trip from Presbyton, North Ala  she called a day or 
so in Oxford to Jerries gratification and delight   Jerrie speaks in 
very high times of her and of the attention shown her at Oxford 
at Prof Barnard's home to which she was invited.  I know 
nothing to the contrary among your other female friends, all are 
well,  I would hear add that I regrit to announce to you 
the last of my old and much esteemed friend D'Lampt ""May he rest in peace" who died but a few days since of a ""Carbuncle" visited him last Sunday two weeks ago and found him 
suffering immensely with an awful carbuncle accompanied with 
an ensypelations ) infumation extending say foot around it, I administered 
all the Comfort I could in capacity of friend and indulged a hope 
on leaving him on his recovery Medical upon the opinion of his 
physicians Tackets() Hannah, Lutton and others, but Alas! he is 
called hence & I contrary to expection am living.  The loss of so