(seq. 21)

[2]

Dear Sisters

I have nothing in particular to write
Father says he has commenced this letter and says
that Mother and I must finish it. He has given
you a history of the most important matters So that
we shall have an easy task to write the rest.

Mary Stout is teaching school at the same place when
She taught last summer & Harriet goes about making
wedding cloaks. The last she made was for Caroline Cole
who is going to be married (so report says) to Ancon Collins
this winter (two fools met). Grandfather & Grandmother
continue about as they have been. The rest of us are able
to eat our share of the Goose--Daniel has not returned
from the west yet. Our folks talk some of going out
after him. Almira Howe is not coming to teach
our school as we expected. Ira Howe and Emeline
Read are both maried to somebody. Mrs Burdick continues along about about as she
was when Susan left home. R Carter has not recovered
yet but is able to sit up and ride out some --
Esq. McLean's folks had a large party a week ago
last Friday Evening. There was a good many folks there but
I dont know any of the particulars. Aaron wont tell
any thing about it only that it was first rate -----
There was great sleigh rides on Christmas. The common
folks went to Woodworths in Salem and had an oyster
supper & dance in the Evening. Such as Dewitt & M. and McLean
Clapps folks, Fords, & Coles, & Bishops & Collins &c&c went
to Salem Aby McFarland also. -- But the upper crust
went to Union Village, and had an oyster supper & fair

Such as Esq. McLeans Girls, Sophia Fitch, H Stout, Henry &&
Ann McLean Esq. & [??] Docter Collins went to the villiage

I expect they had a high scrape for Aaron looked the
next 2 or 3 days, as tho he had been shot through a
wood pile, and his appetite was vey poor &c --