RK-734

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Home. Thursday evening - Girls Room Feb 3rd /59

Dear Brother Mine: -

I have escaped from the "small talk", and still more nonsensical Euchre playing that is going on below stares. Father, Mother Uncle Flint and Mr Clarke (Our "delectable" School teacher) are sitting around the stand (in the dining room) which is drawn up by the lounge, and in front of a rousing fire, engaged in a game of cards; besides attending to their game Mother is asking, and Father answering the numerous questions about people and things he has seen during his absence. Co sits at one side "martyring" herself endeavoring to be agreeable to Master Eli Lewis; who made his appearance this evening in his usual style; He is a strange mixture of bashfulness and conceit. Bruno as usual is busy as a Bee working at a boat, He gets

[page turned] I received a very kind invitation from Carrie Clarke to ay to visit her before she goes awy to school which she intends doing soon. I don't think I shall go howevr

cuts himself, pricks his fingers, gets nexed and "darns", in a manner not to be equaled by Maj in his youthful days, and still will do so much. P Canel[?] Miss Hattie Clarke (Mr Clarkes sister, a little girl of twelve) are amusing themselves as best they can. I have been sitting by the machine sewing, and thinking like fun; until a few minutes since Father called out "Small Girl" did you find the flowers Bob sent you? that was the first I had heard of them, so I hunted them up. they are pretty many thanks to you for sending them, you migh have written just a word with them. The little red flowers are beautiful, I should think; what are they?

Now prepare for a scolding! wouldn't I scold if I could only see you.

Don't never again write to me about "egg nog", "flip", "conducive" "old bricks" ect. What are you coming to young man?

If there is any one thing I despise a young man for it is for drinking, No sensible girl would ever marry a man that was in the habit of using liquor of any sort. If you drink at all, you are so apt to drink too much, don't do it yourself; and if you have any friends that you care much for advise them never to taste any intoxicating liquor - In my opinion it was not much of a joke you played upon those gentlemen. I truly wish that every person who ever touched a drop of Liquor would suffer enough to make them hate the sight of it forever afterwards. if you once get in the habit of drinking if is very difficult to leave off.

Tell that gentleman that sent me the apple; (by the way tell him I am much obliged for it) the one with the handsome black mustaches, that I wish he would thake you in caharge and not

alow you to drink one bit of punch flik - or any thing of the kind when he is by.

I like the Miss Henrys, much better from Fathers description, than I did from yours. I imagine they are very lovely girls. Father thinks "Miss Bettie" is exceedingly smut.

We should make you some shirts before you come home if we knew just how you wanted them made what sort of wristband do you want? ect.

Mother was quite sick two or three days while Father was gone. She was threatened with fever, is quite well now however. I was sick yesterday, nothing serious though. Emma came home yesterday or dy before she has been here to dy.

I am reading notes from Plymouth pulpit, by Henry Ward Beecher: it is very good. Laurance came home to day he left Charlie quite well. I think married folk should be in love with each other always; else they never ought to be married. With much love Allie