a forty acre tract (within the City limits) and sub‑divided it, built streets, sidewalks, put in City Water and electricity and is building houses, sells lots, also houses and lots. This keeps him somewhat busy, though he keeps a good real estate man with him all the time in his office on the lots. He likes it, and is doing real well.

I think you all know we have two daughters, both married and living in Rochester, N.Y. MaryRuth at 26 Sarona Street. Mary married Mr. O. C. Shewman and has three children:‑ Frances [later Zurflieh], twenty years old, Tom, sixteen years old and John, ten years old. Ruth married Mr. Meritt Mitchell and has two children:‑ Bobbie, five years old and Vernon, three and one‑half years old. You know each crow thinks her young is the blackest well, we love our children dearly and the grandchildren,‑ there are none others like them on earth. Mary and her husband and youngest son spent ten weeks with us here last winter and they are planning to leave Rochester, and bring the family here this fall; will probably have charge of the Hotel this winter, and we hope they will be permanently located with us hereafter. We also hope to have our other daughter and family here with us later on. Tommie thinks his land speculations will keep them all busy another year.

You have asked us to write of, not only the joys of this life, but of the sorrows. Both of our sons‑in‑‑law lost their Mothers during the past month: Mrs. Mitchell (the Mother of Ruth’s husband) was struck by a street car while crossing the street in Rochester and lived less than a day, never gaining consciousness. Mrs. Shewman (the Mother of Mary’s husband) fell down stairs, and died from the effects of the fall. It seems as though both our daughter’s families were so saddened at the same time, our regret being that we were not near them to help lighten their burdens and give sympathy in their sorrow. But such is life everywhere: Some weep while others sing, and it would be a sad old world if we were all to weep at the same time.

When we lived in the good old Keystone State, we thought it was about the only real good state in the Union. But "Oh Boy" it is not so. We have found Florida the real "Fountain of Youth", as it were, and St. Petersburg the City of eternal sunshine. We are enjoying excellent health and all the pleasures of life, and I believe are twenty‑five years younger than when we left Knoxville, Penn. We take a swim in Tampa Bay or the Gulf of Mexico every day.

Central Avenue (seven miles long) runs East and West, with one end in Tampa Bay, and the other in the Gulf of Mexico. We are quite centrally located in the busiest end of the City, which is nearest the Bay. But both the beaches have excellent bathing, and this salt water surely renews health, and I believe prolongs life.

I wish we could have one of our Cousins reunions down here; we could take care of the whole bunch, and I am sure all would enjoy a trip down here to this land of eternal summer, where the flowers are always in bloom, and the mocking birds sing all night long. Where grapefruit and oranges grow as profusely as apples in Pennsylvania, and are as free as cider apples north and by the way make as delicious a beverage as cider apples do. Now I really mean what I have written about the Cousins re‑union to be held with us next year. All of you think this matter over seriously, and plan to come here about September let and stay a full month. We will house all of you, and can run a community lunch house, and have a solid months pleasure.

We want to go North the latter part of July; expect to go by rail to Jacksonville, and boat to New York, then by rail to Rochester, N. Y. Cannot be away more than six weeks and are hoping that the Cousins re‑union will come off while we are North, for we want to see you all at that time.

With much love and good wishes for health, happiness and prosperity to each one of you, from your Cousins