(seq. 40)

Centre Falls. July 28.__
First day. 5 o clock P.M.

Dear Sister,

I have spent most of the day in
my room reading. Last evening A. sent your letter. also a book.
the title, "Married Life,, it is a very good book. I have
read it through. Father has been reading some in it and
at present Mother has it. Some very good and true
things in it.- Hannah is not at home. I expect she
will be quite lonely to day. as she expected us to come
after her. But it was not convenient. We have not
any of us been to Easton since E. left Therefore have
not yet received your package._ Uncle B. has not
returned from Adams. he makes a long stay.---

Mr Whipple &c. are at Mr. Wilsons. I believe I told
you in my last that Ann Tefft was at home: she has not
yet left. When she first come she expected "Them,, (Mr Smith)
after her the next Sunday. All things were therefore made
ready. Pies. Cakes. &c. and the "poor old pelted Rooster was
killed. But "They,, did not come. La! me! it has been "Mr
Smith, Mr Smith, ,, why don't he come? it must "their,, arm
is worse,, "They said if "they,, was alive and well, "They,,
should come after me-- Well just now Ann and a (gentle---
man rode by, they were from the village. Mrs. Jeff's being
over to Seth's, I presume they were going for her. I dont
know but this fellow was the said "They,, Just before they
got to the Bridge the horse turned out of the road. Would
not go &c. He got out struck and swore to the horse. And
finally was obliged to lead him------ - - - --- I can hardly
see to write it is quite dark and looks as though we
should have a hard shower-- I will now leave this____
monday 29 smith has come----

[In left margin]
Monday morning 29. Father is nearly ready to go to Battenville and I must send
this by him in order to go Tuesday- Mother says you must come home in the
Fall and stay a month or so. And then you can return to New Rochelle if
I will keep you. Father thinks I ought not to begin yet a while to say any thing
about your coming home- but I should like to know what time you
think you shall come - - - Guelma

[2]
I did think strongly of going down to Hardscrabble this after
noon but as it looks rather like a shower I have concluced not
to go as my business is not very urgent.. I shall probably be
that way tomorrow after noon. Do you want to send any word
if you do just let me know. I believe you said something
about not having any sister there to tell your little griefs to &
all that sort of thing. Now Susan if I was in your place
I should concider that same fact quite a blessing
These sisters of a body are always twice as much trouble
& bother as they are worth. At least so far as my experience
goes than the fact. Kind of necessary Evils.. - My new
vest is white ground work & very delicate purple Flower. Polly
Grey made it. The cloth cost 52 cents. Making 50 now
if you can Algebra Enough to tell me the sum total of the
Cost of the vest you can do very well. Its a lovely thing.
if that Titus concern you crack up so are the Colore[d?]
Ladies: you mentioned in one of your former letters. From
your a/e I should naturally suppose they were some great ones
I forbear making comments until I see you. I would rather
have my new vest than 40 the Blackest Ladies in New Rochelle
or any other place. And you would to if you could only see
it. Is the Post Master at Rochelle a Democrat or Whig
the next time he enquires about me tell I am a whole Hog
Democrat.. They way the poor Whigs will get used up at the
next Election wont be no way lazy. Matty has not come into the
the state of New York to spend the summer for nothing I can
assure you. Write often. Better not come home this fall

Thine truly

A.M. McLean

S. B. Anthony

[In left margin]
Tuesday morning. I have nothing to add to this this morning Susan, only the
weather was very warm thro the night and is oppressively warm & sultry this morning
There is no news about this morning. Farewell.

Aaron