p.

old Betty Brown - which almost spoiled J's
visit - they returned this P.M. -

He informs that F. [Glied's?] widow has
a young child - poor afflicted woman how
my heart has ached for her - Philip & wife
live with her - Edwina Morris,
was married to a [Calkins?] of Waterbury on
new years day - James, & a cousin of his, C's
stood up with them - James weighs 170.
He does not think [McIlluhs?] is near equal
to A.J.B. in the school - Andrew & Abby
are in Barre - H. & Mary went to see them
last week; Abby has been very sick again
& is now very feeble - they have a very
lovely little boy - Andrew take a great
deal of care of him - they did not learn
any thing of their future plans -

Mary & Howard came home with us after
meeting - Mary is pretty comfortable but
far from well & strong - she uses the spring
water this winter - & does not feel near
as well without it - Ann wrote [Lars?]
first day - but I supposes he writes as
often to thee - she is now in school again
I suppose - hope she may get great good
from this long devotion to books - but I
sometimes fear she will not - any way
she [ingages?] it as she goes along - & is sure of so
much good.

[page break]

East Montpelier
5th of 1st mo 1862

My dear Wm.

Thy cheerful & very accept-
able letter was duely received - also Henry's,
for which I am grateful - I am sorry
thy box does not arrive - fear if it reaches
thee in safety thy brown bread will be
spoiled & frozen as well as the cheese -
but we did as well as we could & so must
leave it - I do not feel as anxious as I
should if thee was suffering for the com-
forts of ife - Aunt P. & cousin Fanny
say they should have been glad to put in
something, if they had known we were
sending - I fear thee is not yet as
careful of thyself as thee ought to be -
Why does thee not mention thy wrist -

Mason & Slidell I suppose are on
their way again - I do not pretend to
know much about public affairs, but

[in left margin:]

Give my respects to Henry - I will endeavour to answer his good
letter before long - I do not know how far apart your residences are.
I should like to -
I hope thee
will find time
to write us good long
letters telling all par-
ticulars about thyself
and the war, as far
as thee can - I can
not see what pos-
sible good you are
all doing there -
Fare well my
dear boy
Mayst thou be
preserved from
evil & all harm
is the prayer
of thy loving
Mother