Dowagiac Mich

                                                                                                            July 8^th 66

 

Dear Sister

            —Now dont start and turn pale, for ‘tis me Yes ‘tis T. J. who addresses you after a long silence

 

            The reason I did’ent answer your letter before was I wanted to wait until you got home, and after you got home I thought as I was writing to Alice every week you would’ent care to hear from me and furthermore there was nothing of intrest to write about I have written to Alice to day so there is no more news (?) to write but will make up / in nonsense what it lacks in intrest

 

            I am in an amiable mood now for I have just returned from a visit to my ladylove she has recovered from her recent indisposition which is probably the cause of your T. J.s good humor. Wont you write some to her in your next letter to me. Alice owes her a letter but she dont seem inclined to write to her

 

            Coleman come home this afternoon. he has been at work out in the country about 5 miles he is well & has dressed up and gone off somewhere perhaps to see his sweetheart

 

            By the way, who is your Rose Valley Correspondent—come tell a fellow something about / it or at least give us a hint as to who his Royal Highness is. It aint “some Juke in disgize” (A. Ward) is it. Please explain yourself

 

            Van Amburgh’s Menagerie shows here tomorrow You’d ought to be here if you want to see a worse lot of “moss backs” than ever dared to congregate at Wolcott on similar occasions with their “neck cloths” a la Ki Porter to see the “Sarkiss” as for me I shall probably go to the shop & bury my cares amid a shower of turning chips and sawdust et cetera

 

            I think some of coming home this fall or winter unless something should turn up to prevent me. will you make me some “mutton pies” provided / I will furnish the material and oven & peddle them

 

            Yes! I know what you’ll do you’l have me get the oven & then you’l back out as you did before. I am going to disguise myself as an ostrich so you wont know me when I come. Give my love to my dear friend Vic Tomicook

 

            Now write some to Julia when you answer this & I will be more prompt in future.

 

                                                                                                Your Affectionate Brother

                                                                                                            S. C. Doolittle

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