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nearer to him than we now [do?] for Nathan says if Slavery becomes a National institution he shall go to Canada but I can hardly believe that the South will be able to conquer the United States and overturn the government, but we cannot foresee where our troubles are to end, the aspect of affairs is rather threatning it will be but a little while before our new President will take the chair if he is allowed to, and then we shall be able to judge a little better what will be the future course of events. Please write when convenient and in the mean time I remain thy affectionate Aunt Mary.
Wm. B. Stevens.
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Stowe 1st Moth. 20 1861
My dear Willie
I have not forgotten that I was owing thee a letter in answer to thy kind one to me of last [month?].
I was not aware until mother told me, that thee had the last chamber for thy schoolroom. I congratulate thee upon having such a pleasant place so nice and convenient, a closet for thy books and a press to hang thy clothes in, and then such a delightful prospect from the windows especially from the east one. What can be more beautiful than these distant hills when the sun is peeping up from behind them tipping them all with gold? and the view from the south is fine but not quite so lovely at this season as when spring has clothed the shrubbery and those young apple trees
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with verdure and summer has opened the sweetscented flowers. Does not the sight of that nursery remind thee of the many hours of labor which thy precious father spent there pruning and dressing it? Many a holy and happy thought filled his mind while thus engaged and many a secret prayer ascended from his heart that he might be kept in the right way and that his family who was as dear to him as his own life might also be preserved. I suppose now mother has made her visit here and gone home, that I need'nt expect to see thee here for thee will hardly know how to take the time from study. Now Howard has left I should think thee would have a very quiet time but thy number of scholars will be doubled when James returns but he will be so accustomed to learning that it will be a pleasure
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to teach him. Henry is having a nice time to study and is getting along well with his schools he looks as if he enjoyed excellent health.
They have a teacher from the Centre in the school where thee kept last winter. he has the reputation of being a good master. We have a woman in our district. They have an excellent school [on?] the [Branch?] the teacher's name is Day he has taught there several seasons before. he has $25 a month and is boarded at [?] place but his health is not good it is thought he is tending to the consumption the docter advises him not to teach but he dont love to give it up. he is much beloved by scholars and parents. I suppose you have had a fine visit from cousin William. If he has'nt gone home tell him perhaps we may come to live
