p.

careful about telling - Mary has written
to thee - Paulina has had a most
beautiful letter from [Thelda?] Stearns - her
eldest son has gone to the war - she speaks
of it most feelingly, she says tell Rachel
I did not know it was so like death -
& then "dear mother, ask for his soul the
uniform of the saints, that he may become
a soldier of the Cross of Christ."

We have not had scarce any frost
till within a few days - it has been pretty
cool & some of the hills east have looked a
little white - the boys have not quite done
husking - have 400 bushels of ears - very good -
our garden vegetables are all very nice -
we have sucotash most of the time.

Aunt Rhoda & Laura have visited us today
Charley Templeton is first corporal in
[deleted]the ?[/deleted] co. F. of the 6th Reg. - Thankful
says they are intending to send a box of
eatables to Isaac - Please tell if thee would
like to have us do so - I have feared that
the freight would be more than the value.

Farewell my dear boy - I pray that the
Lord may preserve & bless thee - Give my love
to Henry - I suppose you are now separated - R. B. S.

[page break]

East Montpelier 25th of 10th mo. /61

My dear Boy

I have just received thy let-
ter & am surprised & sorry that mine do
not reach thee - I have got three from
thee & have written as many - I wrote
immediately after receiving thine
dated the 9th when thee was sick - & I
also wrote last first day in one of Tho's.
I am glad if thee has got the place
the wishes - but think its duties will
be arduous - do hope thee will try to
take care of thy self am glad thee
has a more substantial shelter
& hope thee will do well & satisfy thy
self & others - does [underline]thee[/underline] get any extra
pay? am very glad of Henry's success -
If thee writes for Walton's - I wish
to know thy initials - - There are
letters signed [S.?] but I hear they are not

[upside down at top of page:]

Dear Willie - I send thee some
stamps - hope thee has got my
letter - love from Mary