Letter from Mary, dated 1861-06-12

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go with them - but he thot uncle would hardly be able to give him as good a chance as he should wish - guessed he should have to [underline]travel[/underline] - for thot it would'nt pay to stay there & board out - hope he will travel this way.

[body of letter

5th day. A beautiful bright morning. Rested nicely last night - did not wake at all 'till day light - am feeling nicely now. Expect to go to G. B. Green's tomorrow or next day, & am in hopes next week to go to Boston and see the Norcross folks - and then [underline]come home[/underline]. Do not worry about me - every thing is comfortable and pleasant - as can be away from those I love best.

My "[lines?] could not have fallen in pleasanter places" away from East Montpelier. It has been a great comfort to hear from home so often - Horace has written twice a week - So many [sick?] about home shall be more anxious than ever to hear.

A great deal of love to each one as The mentioned - hope Howard is better - love to my own dear mother from her affectionate Molly -

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Medford. 6th. mo. 12th. 1861.

My own dear mother -

Oh such a nice comfortable day as I have had - how I wish I could throw my arms round thy neck and tell thee how well I feel tonight - Can hardly realize this is the same child of a week ago. Yesterday noon was the first time but what the smell or thots of victuals has seemed almost loathsome. Then I wanted some potato - ate it - and did not hurt me - today ate some more with steak - How well it relished - and has not distressed me a particle. Can I be thankful enough - for feeling so comfortable - how we hope if it is best - it may continue do we not? Horace does not

seem to like my Dr - but think could his stomach feel as mine has - then take medicine that seemed soothing and healing as hers has - his scruples would be overcome. I never took medicine before that seemed so exactly what I need as this does. Why I felt so miserably last week she said my blood - stomach - liver &c were so bad - of course I should feel miserable while the medicine was stirring up the old diseases. But I can go up and down stairs to day without my limbs cripling beneath me. H. thot I had better come home 7th. day - but if you are all well think I had better not try it so soon as that - I am doing so well now - seems as tho it would be a great pity not to persevere a little longer. Should any of you be sick, of course you would let me know immediately, and I

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would try and come home - but if you are well [underline]I[/underline] think it is best to stay another week. Have been visiting this afternoon - to Miss Lucy Osgood's - tho [underline]she[/underline] was not at home - C. Caldwell's sister lives there - sis went too. Dear little Howard - how sorry to hear he is so unwell - dear little fellow - hope he is well now. Received thy dear good letter to day - how glad to get it - but sad to hear of so many sick and suffering ones - ere this some of them are probably better or worse - indeed suffering seems to be the inheritance of man. A letter yesterday from sis [Ann?] she was well - and pretty happy should think - tho she is a droll child. Didn't thee see Timmy's letter? He says uncle J. has been appointed "superintendant of the Government farm at 11 worth" that the family all say T. must