Lachen, June 27, 1867 My Dear Ones,
 In great embarrassment/distress I take pen in hand to write you, dear Heinrich, that I was in Beligheim [Bellheim?] yesterday, and Seligmann Haas told me that his son Lion had gone back to America, upon which I became very distressed/embarrassed. Since Lion & his wife promised to visit us before he left & since I didn’t see him anymore after that time & (so we thought) & Mother just said to me, now buy for the little meerschaum pipe & prepare for war, so that when Lion comes we [can] give him these things that you have been requesting for a long time. But Lion didn’t come – Probably it wouldn’t have been good enough for him at our house — — Or maybe he just forgot about it. Now my dear ones, when Lion arrives, you are going to think [page 2:] they haven’t sent us anything, for which reason you will very greatly insulted, while we are not at fault here. And we ask you therefore to excuse us for that. Now, my dear ones, in a short time I myself will soon bring some of your things & something nice for everyone. Now excuse us for this & think [pretend] Lion was not in Germany. Now I want to set that aside and start something else. We are, thank God, all well, which hopefully will not be lacking in the least in your midst either. Business is very bad here, however. If one is not established in a [retail?] business then not one penny more can be earned. My dear ones, how often I have wished that I could just be with you so that I could live somewhere outside of this miserable Germany. Now my dear ones, this is the third letter I have written to you & I have not received any answer. [page 3:] Now, dear Karolina & Emanual, why don’t you write to me when Heinrich is writing? If you don't have any time, then take [the time] for yourself, because we are always very eager for your letters. Also Uncle Meier told me that he recently had letters from Uncle Aberle [Abraham] and had received many photographs. Now, my dears, how is business going with you? As one reads in the newspaper, you have hopes for a good harvest & so you will also have good business again. Here with us, there are very good prospects for the harvests, but thus far everything is very expensive around here. Now I am going to end my letter. In the hope that you excuse us for these things and do not forget us. An so I wish you all fare well and you are warmly greeted and kissed by use all. Karl Mayer for everyone We are waiting and yearning for your answer, and hope to read a lot of good news in it.
 Is Karoline still not a bride? Is she thinking of remaining this way for long?
 [Note in left margin] As soon as we get a letter from you we will answer it immediately.