p.

I did not think to tell the girls
that I was about to write to you
if I had they wuld have written
at this time. Our girls are
growing up to be little women
almost faster than we wish I
almost dread to have them
get to be young women.

They are very fond of going to
School Mary particularly is
a wonderful student. She studies
half a day regularly without a
word of encouragement. Indeed
we have to hold her back instead
of encouraging her to study. Both
of them are dilligent scholars
& I think favorites of teacher & pupils.
Our Boys are marvels too (did
you even know any that were not).
Willey has a heavy look but is un-
usually smart with Books. Charley
dont care much about Books but he
is the sharpest kind of an urchin.

[in left margin:]

All our love to all Farewell dear Sister

very affectionately
your
Bro.

J.H.B.

[right page:]

Leavenworth, Kansas
Nov. 20, 1861.

My Dear Sister Rachel,

Timothy
is absent from home so I have
not just now any excuse for
not writing to you. He is such
a capital correspondent that
I have excused my self so
long that I got into a very
bad habit of neglect.

Timmothy has gone with a
small train of waggons with
provisions to Ft. Riley, distant
130 miles I expect his return this
week. He will not sleep in a
house during his absence but
he will have a waggon double
covered for his lodging place.
He wished to go & try life on the
plains. All young men in this country
almost have been to Utah or New Mexico