RK-324

School House

The Grove May 25^th 1857

Dear Bob

Major received your letter saturday, we were, and indeed we always are very glad to get a letter from you. We enjoyed our= =selves very much yesterday. Frank and Miss Boyden cam out satur= =day, and all Uncle Hirams folks came down - and Uncle Will's flks came over, (as usual) so we had a house full, Plune came back too just in time to get dinner, I can tell you we were happy even to see her cross face again for we had got pretty well tired by being without any help three weeks, Uncle Hirams gover= =ness is not just what we could wish, I do not like her at all.

We have got the swing put up

[page turned written on left side and across the top] We should all be very glad to see you, we think of you every day all the girls carry buggin bottels but I am afraid they do not get many bugs. You must enjoy fathers visit all you can - and if it is possible get a free pass and come here for a few days –

Alice -

so you can tell what a pleasant time the boys all had yesterday. Aunt Carrie whiped little Pawl at supper and I guess you would have laughed if you had seen the whole performance, after she had whiped him to her hearts content he commenced talking to her - he said "you mean old thing I don't like you" over at least a dozen times, and "lots" of other very respectful things, while every one that saw made a great deal of fun of Aunt Carrie.

We all wished you were at home. Father told Frank about you frighening the man that was going to whip you, with the snake - and Frank told Dr Evens - who they said was very much delighted. I should not wonder if it had got to be a pretty big story by this time.

Bruno went to Chicago with "Frank and Vele" they were very anxious to have him go, and he of course wanted to very much.

We are having a very good school. Mr Stirges is pleasant, and the boys lik him. He help them in the nursery - all the time out of school.

Charlie has had the front yard graided, scraped, and rolled - till it looks beautifully - he has had grass seed sown, and sevral but not many trees planted - and lots of vines. he is in a great hurry just now - Major and Laurence are going away - and the hot weather is just com=ing on - and he has a great deal of planting to do yet. - evergreens, grafts, and seedlings, besides all the other ones. We are going to have a beautiful place in about three

years. I have been so busy that I have not skined a bird there four days. You would be astonished to see what a change the last week has made in the looks of things - all the trees are in full leafe, and it seems as though you could see them grow. We are in great want of rain - the ground is so dry every where - that it seems sure death to plant any thing, and it will not do not to plant then - so Charlie and all the rest of us keep wishing and hoping for rain - and I guess it will come to night. The rose that we have had in the house all winter has two beautiful flowers on it. We have a good many flowers now - the tulips are com=ing out - in about a week they will be in all their glory. we expect Mr and Mrs Hodge out here in a few weeks. All the girls send their love

Alice -