cam_MasonLetters_B1878_F12_001_004

something "to look after. I think he would make a good
farmer. Maybe we may be farmers yet – I must tell
you now of our loss – an old hen and 38 little chickens –
three hens were sitting down in one corner of the chicken house
some nights ago with about fifty chickens under them. The
coyotes scratched a hole under the house & I suppose put
their paws or long noses under & dragged out the hen &
chickens – they were about two weeks old. The old hen was such
a pet & so tame – poor old thing we felt quite sad about her –
the coyote (pronounced cayoty) is much like the fox – we lost
two fine large hens some time ago – I think they took them –
they are very impudent animals – if we see one on the
road it will stop & look at us then run slowly some distance
& stop & look again. they came close to our house in new town
in day light. they are about the size of a large dog –
with a long sharp nose like the fox & a yellowish brown
colour. – I think you will make quite a farmer's wife. I
don't think there was any harm done about the butter. I
might have done much more, but the Presbyterians are more
strict in little matters than Episcopalians — We had Captn
Nagle of the brig Patterson (the vessel which almost left us
on the rocks) to dine with us on sunday – he is a good
hearted man – a little rough – we have to laugh at him. I
had on my green merino. he looked at me & says, 'You made
that dress since you came didn't you? I told him it was
an old one. after dinner he would help me to take the
table to the kitchen – asked me why I did not eat there?
I told him it was too small & warm – The minister was
thanking him for kindnesses received when on a trip with
him – I told him we also felt indebted to Capt. N. he turned
to me & says "what for, cause I didn't drown you? he is an
old slaver & has brought many a cargo from Africa. it is
strange as good a hearted a man could ever have been a
slaver. he sent us up a salmon – taken from The Sacramento. I
wish you could see it – it is 42 inches long & 22 broad & the meat
so thick & nice. I wish I knew what it weighed –

Did I tell you poor July Gates has affection of the spine. she suffers much.