(seq. 20)

Battenville 1 Mo 1 - 1838

Received 1 mo. 10.th 1838
At D. Joulsons
boarding school

Respected Daughters

A happy New Year to yourselves - Teacher and
your associates - We have
rcd Susan's letter of I think
the 17 ult -- or rather we have
rcd two posts from her & none from
Guelma - there was one last
week in the offce from Phil
for Mary Ann McLean & one [before??]
I have nothing new to say to you
only that we have now 4 P. M. just
got through with eating not Turkey
but Goose a good one it was
prepared by Hannah in most
elegant style -- the little company
that destroyed it consisted of no one
except the every day inmates of the
old store - this number however was
complete -- even Merritt occupied his
corner of the table and picked his
share of the carcass -- I should have
had just a piece for you had
you been on the spot