My beloved Brother,

I cannot exprefs¹ [sic] the gratitude I feel for all you kindnefs to me your kind letter and handsome present came safe to hand on the 16th December but having engaged to go out on I [?] as I [?] at this festive season I thought it best to let it remain at the Post Office until I returned so on the Saturday 27th I received it all right. Many thanks to you and dear Mrs. Baker for it, you [?] do make the Widows heart rejoice I am sure the Lord blefses you for it, I feel very thankful that both you said dear Wife are improved in health how earnestly I have prayed that she may be spared to you your dear Daughter have had a deal of affliction on her [?]. What a mercy the children got over it. Scarlet fever was always very fatal in our family. I had heard from Maude of dear little [Heathe's??] misfortune he must have suffered much I can scarcely bear to think of it, I fear it has disfigured him but as he is so young he will grow out of it. I am thankful it was not one of the girls, being a boy it will only appear as if he had been in the Wars. Your son John had a similar accident. I am so pleased to learn he is getting on and has so nice a wife, it is really a comfort to know he has such a partner as he is far way from all belonging to him.

I hope you enjoyed Xmas. I suppose for were at dear Mary's it was dreadfully foggy on Xmas day, Mrs. Blackburn [?] husband [?] brought a cab for me and I felt thankful that we got safe to his house without accident. Boxing Day was a lovely day the sun shone out so brillantly that it made all things cheerful the Streets were nearly dry and I was able to walk to Mifs Pike, by taking Mr. Blackhburn's arm thinking that there [bound?] be such a great rush at the Post office as there always is at this [?time] he said if I signed the orders he would get the money for me he found as I am so feeble that I should be pushed down. I was glad he [?] do it for me, stronger to say when the sun shines I can walk [?feebly] well by leaning on an arm or my [umbrella?] - but this have been an exceedingly trying winter, such as one as I hope I shall never again experience. Until Xmas day I had not been out of doors for more than 2 months not having any person I can depend on to [fill/?] my [Errands?], I am often sadly put to it, and obliged to go without when I have the money to meet all my wants, you know what my income is, I always told you, exactly how I am situated, I could not be comfortable if I had a Sovereign more there you heard of but my expenses here are too high, as yet I have not been able to alter it-it costs me so much for attendance and yet have so many [??] I have not lacked anything. I feared I should this winter but the good Lord who always helps in every time of need heard my cry and sent me five pounds, an old debt which I never expected to get, that set me all strait [sic] again and enabled me to get some comforts which I really needed. You know I have still one hundred pounds in the Bank of England which I intended to sell out and put it in the [?Babick] Building Society where I expected to get as much for 50 pounds as I getting for the Hundred by that -- I should not reduce my income but as Mifs Vallance who had at pound more than 3 thousand in the [bank?] she advised me not to sell last April but wait till October for the weather was too wet for her to go with me to get it, and if I [?] in need of [money?] she would lend me, I took her word and when October came, she was gone to Heaven, so it is still there, but I hear that all the Building Societies [?] of any standing have returned their net of Interest so that at present the [Bahbick??] only gives [2?]1/2 percent this is a great disappointment [one?]. I purpose when I get it, putting all they will take, which is thirty pounds in one year, into to the Post Office Bank, and the remainder into the [Bahbick?]. I shall then be able to get at a little money if I stand in need of it. I feel sadly alone in this world now I have lost 4 oldest friends this year. Some things tell me I shall not be here much longer, I am not in pain which is a great thing, but I am unable to do for myself which is a dreadful drawback, some people tell me I ought to place myself as a Boarder in some Christian family, but I do not just like doing it, I am so dreadfully [?] that for [2 or 5?] days together, I do not see any person in the House, One of the [Miss nanies??] who occasionally calls to see me says I must not remain in such solitude, I intend asking him to look [not/out??] for a house for me, but it must be a [poor?] friend me tell me what you think of my plan.

Monday 5th January 1888

Oh my dear brother how time flies you justly observe we cannot expect to live here much longer; Oh for a thankful heart for the mercies received during the past may the good Lord prepare us for all years the events of the new year. May the Lord spare and bless you and all your dear family. Most sincerely and lovingly, do I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

I sent dear Maude a kind note and a Christmas Card, but have not heard from her since. I think she may be gone to Brighton to see her Aunt.

With much love and many thanks to you and dear Mrs. Baker and every member of your dear family, Mrs. Gorham's love to you all, I have not seen her for some time I rather think she is engaged in the country with a lady [of??] who is going to be married it is the lady whom she spends the summer months in Birmingham shire with.

I must now conclude, Excuse blunders for I cannot see to read what I have written.

With Kindest love to you all I remain

Your affectionate sister

Sarah Pike

[I check??]
We have such very dark weather and so foggy a rain

¹ Fs used in place of ss