Scranton Jan 29th 1883

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Dear Brother

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I received your last welcome letter some time last summer for I began to fear we should never hear from you again, but I have been so much occupied, and felt so worn out, that it seemed as if I should never get an opportunity to write you again.

I am still suffering more or less all the time with sciatica, and very likely will never be entirely well again, although I am so much better now than I have been for a year and a half past that I have some hopes of a cure. Sciatica is an affliction of the sciatic nerve which originates at the spine just above the hips and extends in its ramifications to every portion of the body below where it originates. Sometimes it is rheumatic, and sometimes the result of other causes, but whatever the cause the result is the same - extreme tenderness and soreness of the flesh, where effected badly, changing sometimes from one part to another and at other times extending through the whole length of the nerve causing, when severe, the most intense suffering upon the slightest movement, and often very painful, even when quiet. The slightest pressure on any part affected causes so much pain that often it is impossible to place the body in any position so as to find relief either in sitting or lying down.

You requested me to get a pair of glasses and send you but the chances are not more than one in ten that if I should do so that they would fit your eyes unless you can tell me what number you require. Glasses to suit the eye should have the focal distance of vision about 15 inches from the eye - that is the object should appear most distinct at that distance. A pair of fifty cent glasses may be just as good if they fit the eyes as those that cost five times that. I am using glasses nights and in dark weather. I got a pair that cost $2.00 and lost them, then I got a 50 cent pair. Afterward I found the others, and if there is any difference I can see best with the 50 cent ones. If you cannot designate what number you require, take a news paper or print of some kind that has words or sentences of various sized letters cut them out and paste them on a piece of paper, one above the other and then look at them with the naked eye holding them about fifteen inches off, and the size print you can see most clearly at that distance send me, and state which you want, eye glasses or spectacles.

The other members of the family as far as I know are well. Eva, one of Ada’s twin daughters is dead.

I don’t know as I have any thing else of particular interest to write. Our city is growing rapidly in population and importance. I have seen it grow from a village of a few hundreds to an important city of 50,000, from a wilderness mostly covered with trees, to brick and mortar walls and costly edifices filled with the hum of industry.

Your Brother George