Written from Shelburne, Mass.; Alfred, Bangor, Cornish, Farmington, West Brooksville, Maine; Meredith, NH to Annie and Nellie in Cornish, Bangor, and Alfred, Maine 6 January-27 December 1888 Nellie has gotten married, apparently to Mr. D; John refers to the fact in one of his letters. Almost nothing is said about it and Nellie continues to exchange letters with Annie as usual. They continue their lengthy discussion about fabric, fashion, and what books would make appropriate presents; books with alligator skin are very popular though costly. Cracker jars are also mentioned as excellent presents. From home, Mary writes that she has increasingly been feeling weak and tired. John then reports later that Mary is still ill and has been using oxygen which seems to have improved her health. Several other neighbors have also fallen ill; many have had cancerous tumors removed. One of John’s workers, Charles, fell from the ladder while working in the orchard and died shortly thereafter.