p.

[fr ASR (6 mo. 16th. 1861)
(enclosed w/
letter fr. RBR)]

My Dear Mother; - I have read thy letter
a good many times, and it is better
each reading. If I did not have so much
to occupy my time and thoughts particu-
larly I should be sober this summer. It is
the wisest way to look for flowers even
when you might expect thorns, and the
day is a good deal brighter out in the
sun than in the house with the blinds
shut, so I will endeavor to take the bright
side, if possible there is none, to make
one. My verse in the bible has done me
real good sometimes, "and she shall
rejoice in time to come." - I think I
can leave a great deal here, and I mean to.

My rommate has been sick for two or
three days, but is better now, suppose her
beauty struck to her stomach. She is
good hearted but don't study any and
looks in the glass most all the time. I
should want to see a better picture, to employ
all my time. We do not have the least