PlunkettWmR1850_18480127_001

Andover Jan 27th 1848

My Dear Mother,

"At last "the
box" is here" for which I send a great
deal of thanks. I had made up my
mind not to write home this week but
the "long wished for box" arrived and the
number of letters it contained made up
in a great degree for past negligence.
If you could have seen me upon
its arrival you would have laughed
heartily. I heard some one in the hall
inquiring for my room. I went to
the door and there stood a man with
a box in hand. I comprehended
the whole matter in an instant.
I could hardly wait to pay him I
was so anxious to see the contents.
As soon as the man left my hatchet
was forthcoming and totally regardless
of nails I began to hack and hew
but I soon found I could not get
it open that way so I acted a little