Boston March 19^th 1862

 

My dear Abbie

                        I had once made up my mind not to attempt to write to you this week I having so much business on hand but this afternoon having a spare hour I commence this. Trade is increasing so that I have but little spare time during the day, just enough to read the papers in. And this week every minute of my evenings are engaged, not to balls parties or theaters though I am going out one evening to play euchre with a fine young lady, walked home with her the other evening and rec'd a special invitation, of course accepted it. Have engagements out one other / night and the other four evenings am reading with all my might. I am down for opening the debate at the next meeting of the "B.L.A." (heavy work won't it be?) The older members have usually led off but this time myself and a particular friend of about the same age were set upon to take the lead. He agreed to do it if he could take the side he liked best and I could not very well back out so accepted his terms. The amount of the question is that the patriotism of the Ancients exceeded that of the mordens. You will readily see that I, in the affirmative, have the hardest side of the question with the line drawn at the commence of the 15^th Century. Not but what there were as great patriots then as now but young men are much better posted on morden than on ancient history. I am / reading and intend to present a fair array of facts & figures, have some pretty fair incidents to bring up.

 

I rec'd your letter the 15^th inst. All I have to say is that if I acted upon your principle and to the same extent that you did, you would not hear from me for some time, about 72 wks. Doubtless your school was among the finest of the fine. Did any of them have powdered onions sifted into their hdkfs. closing day? That's how they do it upon important occasions. No I am not a bit wild, go to bed every night before 10½ o'clock and get up before seven in the morning. Having a fair room I spend quite a number of my evenings in that reading & studying, don't play cards very often don't very often walk the St., only very pleasant afternoons when the fashions are out. I had an errand up Washington St. this afternoon & saw / plenty of gay styles, more dress than brains too some of them had.

 

I am very sorry that Ham. could not give me a call as he passed through but am aware how anxious he was when he got almost in sight of home. I hope he will let me know where he is and what he is up to. I rec'd a letter from Geo. this morning. He is enjoying himself the same as ever. I visited Braintree two weeks ago to-night, went out to attend a "fair" and had a very pleasant time. There are some fine young people in that place but more that are not. The girls are pretty well, their health is much better than it was early in the winter. Uncle Isaac was in to see me yesterday. All well at Weymouth.

 

I was very sorry to learn that Mothers throat was again troubling her. I will try and find time to write to her soon. I hope you are all well and presume you are with this exception. How is Homer? and what is Willie doing now that the school has finished? Howard must wait patiently till I find time to answer his last. I wanted to speak of something else but have not time to-night. Write soon                                        

Charles

 

[margin]          Say to Frank that I have not forgotten him, will write soon.    C.C.

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