[Sterling—Friday, 15 October 1875]
Friday Sterling, Ill. After riding all night away from the beautiful town of Madison which we were very sorry to leave, we reached Chicago at ½ past 7; at once we shouldered our wraps and started for the Palmer House & breakfast—no carriage so we walked all the way—well repaid, the air & exercise revived us, the breakfast was good—bought newspapers, found letters and again started traveling off for a two thirds days journey to this place. The cars were very hot, and a broiling fire was burning away in our stived up bedroom when we arrived at a very measly looking hotel. Walked about the place. “J” lectured on Cheerfulness.
