RKFP-082

Buffalo November 6th 1854 Friend Charlie Once more I have the pleasure of scribbling a few lines to you and as a preface must beg your pardon for my long delay in answering your last kind letter; to tell you the truth Charlie you are the only one out of the long list of old schoolmates with whom it has been my lot to associate in days gone bye who thinks or cares enough for "Sim" [illegible] to write him a single line; and yet some of them have the audacity to declare that he is mean [underline] because he does not write to them when they have never since they left this vicinity sent him so much as their addrep, But let this pass for here I call to mind that the said "Sim" [illegible] was never a very great crony [underline][illegible] with any of them; but little he would be pleased to hear from any of them at any time concerning their present welfare and

amount of time:-but amid all this neglect it is cheering to my heart to know that are at least out of the many has the inclination and will take the time to notice even with a few lines one who was never a favorite; and yet Charlie I may not say that your lines are few for full well I know that I have received many a long and interesting letter from one whom I am proud to call my Friend [underline] and proud this knowledge I derive the greater pleasure. But a truce to this doleful sermon it is not fitting that I should complain for it is a well known fact that it is a rare thing for me to write a letter and then only in answer to some already antiquated epistle from yourself or per chance on some matter of business

be sure to answer them and that I shall receive both benefit and pleasure from the perusal of a letter from you. I am at present in good health, and have plenty of work to keep me busy and for that reason I have been unable to write you before: hoping that this will find you in good health and spirits (not ardent) and that you will excuse the gloominess of this epistle I will close ere I cause you to have a fit of the blues: I should have written more but matters of interest are very scarce at present and as I am not much of a creative genius I can not produce a plausible letter without good timber to build with. By dirt of great exertions I have managed to lengthen out this miserable scrawl till I fear it will

weary your patience in the perusal! I will therefore bring it to a close by wishing you a long life and a merry one with a handsome and accomplished partner to aid you in the enjoyment of it and also in the "nursery business".

And here I close remaining Ever yours James A Phelps