Cherry Valley April 7^th 1861

Sunday afternoon

 

Dear Little Sis

                                    Now I have a sheet large enough I think, If I fill this I shall do pretty well. Do you really weigh one hundred and sixty odd pounds? Oh my, you little fairy. I weigh 140, No wonder I call you "Little Sis". I shall be glad when you get through growing. About the writing book. I saw Mr Howes last night but he had not got one in the house. he has been down to Lowell for the last fortnight and has sold all his books. He said he forgot to send me one. I shall have one as soon as he gets some more out and will send you one right off. I was sorry that I had not sent you one. Mr Howes is full of business, sold $90 worth of books in Lowell. Did you ever read "Dream Life" by I K Marvel? I have been reading it to day. Nancy and Rachel Gill / went to meeting on the Hill to day. Mother and I to the Methodist. There will be a new minister here next sunday. A Mr Longley from Clappville preached to day he was from Brooklyn N.Y. before he bought out Reuben Denny. quite wealthy I suppose. Fast Day Martha and I went to Charlton in a sleigh, it was very good sleighing going, but during the day the snow melted fast and coming home it was muddy for half the way the first four miles. Mother came home with me and Martha stayed. I never saw as much snow, before, as there was that day between Clappville and here. Mother thought it worth going to see. Mother had been away five weeks. When I went over with her there was two of Dr Curtis daughters visiting at Uncle Hirams. Sady and Emma. The youngest, Sady, is nine and real good girl. they are both pretty looking. But Sady and I had a nice time. she seemed quite fond of me and gave me a very urgent invitation to come and see her. did you ever see them? Last Monday I was in Worcester and bought three tickets for a lecture to be Wednesday evening by John B. Gough, on London. Father and a young fellow by the name of Collins and myself went down that evening, got in to Mechanics Hall ¾ of an hour before the time the lecture / was to commence. The Hall was most full then and in fifteen minutes was quite crowded. At last the Rev. Mr. James came out on the stand and anounced that Mr Gough had taken cold, had lost his voice and he could not possibly speak. So Father and I had to come home. I was disappointed enough. Father does not go to lectures very often. Collins is a Michael Patrick, he does the dyeing at Hodges. I play chess with him quite often. he and I went down to Mr. Rarey's Horse Taming Exhibition, one week ago last Friday. I had quite a good time then. Nancy is not to have the school here this summer Jessie Sargent hired her, but Augusta Bothamley had applied first and Sargent and had not given her a decided answer, so she went to work some way and is to have the school. it will commence next Monday. The large school is to be taught by Miss Waite. she is 16 or 17. she taught the small school last summer. Nancy got work at Chamberlins in Worcester. she is at home now but was in W. Friday and Saturday and is going back in the morning. My sheet of paper seems a mammoth one now. it seems to grow the more I write I did not get it for letter paper but used it to draw land plots on I am tired some and am writing in / some hurry. My ink is a newly invented dye stuff it was invented in France. I think you must have heard something about it. it is called Rosine.

 

We had a letter last night from Cornelia. Milton is at work again. Sarah I have not seen for some time. I may be down there this week. I believe I have written considerable and hoping to receive the thanks of all I will close I hopeing you will answer and let me know whether you were able to read all without resting yourself.

 

Good bye little sis. get weighed again next week and tell me how much you weigh. you're getting to be quite a—well I am almost afraid to write but I was going to write—well—eh—eh—a strapper—

Bub /

 

[enclosed fragment]

Monday morning

At Retreat last night an order was read from Capt M^cPherson thanking us for being so prompt Friday night. There may be something in the paper about it.

There was a prayer meeting last night and I believe there will be a sermon next Sunday from a methodist, and there is a bible class going to meet at half past two each Sunday. The storm here was very severe the wind blew very / hard. Boston light is in plain sight of here.

 

I do not know as I have much more to write

Jerome

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