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Salem Dec. 28th 1862
My Dear Father
I am now enjoying a few days of rest during the Christmas holidays. My school commences again, on the fifth of January on the same day that you tell me you are to be in Albany. I did not hear from home last week but I suppose because I did not write as soon as I received my last. I have not much to tell you except that I am well having lost my face ache for a time. Are you entirely well or are you forcing yourself about. I shall be glad when you can come in this direction! Is there a prospect? I have
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now fifty children to teach a large number and I am quite tired of evenings. There is one thing that does not please me and that is my pay. I receive from the public money three fourths of my salary the remaining fourth to be collected from the parents. The public money is certain; the money from the parents uncertain. If the children were sent to school regularly the public money would support me nicely but they only pay for the time the children are sent to school, not considering the teacher's time worth much, if any thing. Last night I walked over two miles to receive the amount of $5 coming from three families, not one
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paid a cent towards it and I returned home as poor as I started. We are having delightful weather for this time of the year very spring like. how long it will last, I can't tell. We have such sudden changes. I trust you are having large audiences in Boston I would so much like to see the papers giving an account of the meetings especially on the first of January. I have given up going to Philadelphia. This is a most miserably written letter but unless I have a very good pen it is impossible to make other than miserable strokes.
Lewis is well. I see him every day he seems to be doing well in his business.
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Monday Eve
I have just received a letter from our friend Miss Amé-Draz she is well and sends her love to you.
A Happy New Year, to you and a safe arrival home,
From Your Aff Daughter
Rosetta Douglass