p.

condition. Before I went to school I had
much rather sit down in a corner and read
or study than to learn the mysteries of cooking
and as I was not very strong mother was
kind enough to give me every opportunity
to follow out my inclinations, - I like my
business, I'm making a regular one of it,
and so far have had wits enough about
me not to have made very unpardon-
able blunders. How long the household
gods will smile propitiously on my efforts
I cannot tell, but I mean to do my [pretties?]
for I've often heard schoolma'ams weren't
worth a fig out of school. Tempie went
home to attend school but she cares more
for feet than brains and the only one she
has attended is a dancing. It's a pity
everyone cannot think as I do. Charley
went to Pontiac about a month ago. I may
have written of uncle Andrew [Tarney's?]
death, which occurred about a month
after mother's. Aunt Mary was anxious
to have Charley spend the winter with