West Littleton January 6^th 18 Sixty one

                       

Friend of my earlier years!

Not being in receipt of a reply to my second letter written about a fortnight ago, I will pen a few stray notings for your perusal, and to enable you to form the conclusion that "we still live" and are in suitable condition to read any epistles which our correspondents see fit to honor us with. In the first place then, I will state that Nahum & Mary have passed through the fiery ordeal, she has become one of his ribs: said event occurred two weeks ago, "such is life" but "in the kingdom of Heaven there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage" consequently there must be a powerful sight of old maids & Single Gentlemen. Your sister if I may be allowed to judge improves, daily, in personal appearance, manners & mental power, so that 'ere long she may become not unworthy of her kindred and name, and by the blessings of Providence we hope & trust that she will rival her fraternal companion. Littleton is in a comparatively quiet state, the last excitement—that of Pat Neagle vs. Martha Kimball—having sunk to repose. T

 

            The prevalent opinion here concerning Southern affairs, is, that the rebels will "cave in" knock under or absquatulate: it seems to me, that if the secession states have one jot of common sense they will not provoke an open collision with the Federal government in so unequal a contest as it must of course be what could the South expect, but defeat and disgrace. If worst comes to worst, I hope I may have the fun of doing what little I can, towards the discomfiture / of the fire eaters; unless they return and "do works meet for repentance" I hope they will be swept root & branch into the gulf of Mexico, and oblivion. So. Carolina has made trouble sufficient for a state of her worth. What think you of it?                     I wish you could be up here to attend our "debating club", you would like it better than our "Lyceum" of last winter, because we have no dead heads and more experienced debaters. We have thus far discussed as follows Resolved that in event of disunion the South would suffer more than North. That Mass. ought to repeal personal liberty bills. That we ought to obey the laws of the land right or wrong. I was on the aff of the last, and I believe it too, the resolution was carried unanimously. For next week we have, Resolved that commerce has more effect on a nation's prosperity than agriculture, aff J. A. Harwood, & O. H. Sanderson, neg. J. T. Alexander & G. H. Knowlton. we have three teachers in the club Alexander of the North School & Parmenter of Old common both first class fellows, keen on debate. The South school had a rupture and the teacher Harriet Whitney had to quit. Emma Cox has been up on a visit has returned. Vandolo is not doing much, Warren boards with him and chops for Father.

 

            I work out some by the day, and chop some at home have an easy time. As to Sarah & I we manage to see one another frequently I sat up all night with her Christmas night & again last Friday night, with out the knowledge of the Esquire. I am going to talk with him

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