To RH Milroy From Mary Milroy Oct 9 1863

              Oct 9 1863 
 
Dear Robert 
 
 
 
                              Ella has been 
trying her best today, to write 
to you, I am doing what I can 
twords laying up supplies  things 
are going to be scarce and high 
this winter,  I have never known 
butter to be so scarce in Rensselaer 
as it has been this summer and fall 
I paid 15cts per pound last week, we 
could get it for 10cts all last winter 
plenty,   Cicero has not been in 
town for a week, he started off on  
some Rovo business to Laporte 
I was told the other evening that he 
was in Springfield, Ill, attending 
the State Fair from what I can 
learn he does not try collect  
any, Thompson told me the other 
evening that he had received a letter 
from some eastern man who had 
given Cicero some Collecting to do 
and wanted to know of Thompson what