Punctuation is as it appears in the original.
Perhaps these marks were meant to conserve space on the paper, they seem to be indications of a new paragraph. 1863 Dear Parents, I take this opportunity of writing you in answer to yours of the 9th Aug., which came to hand on Sun. Aug. the 16th. Was glad to hear that you were all well again and that everything looked prosperous, that you were getting along finely with your work, would soon be through with your grain shucking. I last wrote you there has been little or no news of importance, things go on about as usual.