-[uno]-

Jacksonville, Fla. 12-27-16

Dear Sis--

It was about an hour before dinner on Christmas day that I got your letter telling of Dear [grandma's] death. I did not enjoy the turkey much because of it. Of course it is something that we all must face and I believe that grandma is in a better land now. What made me feel bad was the fact that mother could not be there. I have not heard from home for nearly two weeks so don't know how she is taking it. I think I can send her up there in the spring but that won't seem right like as tho[sic] she could have seen grandma. The trip will do her good and I would favor her staying up there if she wishes for she does not like it here. She has had a hard time but [I] think it is about over. I would be willing to sink a great deal more than I have already done or than I can and

-dos-

am going to do, right here in Florida. Dad is of the same [opinion] I think. He and I both think we have a good thing and when I feel that way I plunge. We have had some reverses and will possibly have some more but the results will be in our favor. I [didn't] realize this fact so much until I saw some of the productions at a fair here in Jax. Also I [didn't] realize the [difference] between the trained man and the untrained. Mother is beginning to see things like Dad and I but Art. is hopeless. He simply cannot work for himself. Can't see ahead and is pessimistic. You know that I am not built that way. I [haven't] had any flowery beds to lie on since I came South but I can give you all of this [verbally] soon [here's] [hoping].

I think I understand the attitude of Uncle [Hobert's] folks. I never thot[sic] much of

-tres-

them anyway. Overlook all that you can. The [lineage] from which we came has got more gumption and pep [than] anything that they can boast of. I think you will find that I am right. Ancestors or what they did [don't] get us anything but I will go this far. It may be doing Mother an injustice I fear it is but what I started to say was that Dad could have done better instead of worse as the Fishes I think. [Don't] take it that mother [isn't] up to the Bevins standard. That [isn't] the point I am laboring on. This I will say tho[sic], she [doesn't] beat it any. __ I have never expressed any such remarks before so don't let her get hold of these and I know you [won't].

I was always of the [opinion] that she favored Art. You have some [recollection] of the conditions at home when we were all together. I am convinced now that her idol has fallen for she said in a letter some

-quatro-

few weeks ago that Art [didn't] take the amount of [interest] in the place that he should have and she never said anything like that to me. I think Art has a little more Fish than Bevins in him.

I [haven't] done much to help the folks since I left home myself but they have got half of what I have earned and most of the bal[ance] has paid debts that I made while at home. Groceries and such bills.

One [doesn't] realize how hard it is to start on nothing and get things going smoothly when [everything] has been [different] from what one was accustomed. I lay a good bit of our slow progress to our own ignorance not the country. Get this settled in your mind-- I have been here and I ought to know more about it [than] some of the people up there. What have they to show for their years of labor. They [can't] show as much in all of the years that they have worried along as we have in the

-[cinco]-

last four. That is some [proportion] but is is[sic] pretty near true.

Getting back to yourself-- It is nice sometimes to be envied but envy and friendship are [strangers]. Elbert Hubbard, the author who lost his life on the [Lusitania] once said. "Live each day so you can look [every] damned in the eye and tell him to go to hell." If we do that no one can kick.

That was too bad about Ellsworth. He was hurt a year ago or so [wasn't] he? From what you say of him I believe I would like to know him better. I hope he gets all right soon.

Write me about things up there that concern yourself. I would like to take a sleigh ride behind that horse of yours. Do you even ride? It is great sport in Summer. I like it great and so would you.

-seis-

As it is nearly time to go to work again I will have to break away.

What is Louise's new name? What sort of a man did she get and where do they live?

I am well and gaining weight. Hope to hear from you soon.

Your Loving Bro.
Algy Knox.
U.S.E.D. Barnard.