.MTIxNA.OTQyMDY

Dear Mother Boston Dec 25th 1838

I suppose you wonder why you have not heard from here before, but we have all been so driven we could not well write. I will write some of my news without any order because I am in a plagy hurry. I have now attended school 1 quarter and 3 weeks over. A am now No 9 as to rank in my class. We had a week vacation at Thanksgiving and have 1 day [today] for Christmas. Tell Charles that his cousin David Alonzo is sentenced to 5 years in the state prison for stealing &c. He has appealed to the Supreme Court but Uncle Joseph thinks the sentence will be confirmed. Almeda rec'd a letter from Uncle J yesterday. Aunt Esther is at Barnard Vt with Sam'l Comant. We have been through Worcesters Geography 1 half times $100 pages in Emersons Show past Arith besides going through Colburns 1st lessons, 35 pages in French Grammar. I have of late excelled all but one (the head of the class) in Writing Compositions, & equalled him. We two, are chief of 49 in Writing Comp. I desire to hear all about all your school, farm, cattle, crops, work, studies, - New neighbors, prosperity, and peace; and everything else. Joseph M. Brother & Sister, I want to know about your condition, state, employments, studies, amusements, recreations, business, cares, troubles, and perplexities, &c &c so write me a long, concise & full letter. Isaac write me a letter in Langue Latin with Translation and I will try to answer it in Tongue Francois; it may be a useful exercise to both. Lucy & Eliab, if you will write me I'll try to return the favour. How many cattle have you sold? What kind of weather do you have? Last time I wrote you one of my titles H.S. Tig will now write another, J. Metcalf,, Member of the English Classical School of Boston which suits ye best? Good bye, M,E,C,S,B Jan 4th. 1839, I wish you all a happy new year! Here is some news which I forgot to mention: as, Mrs. Thaxter has a daughter about 5 or 6 weeks old named Rebecca- James, think there will be chances for me to go into a Wholesale Store in the spring and get about $50. first year $100. 2nd $150. 3d year $200. 4th year &c. My board would probably cost $130 per year at least* What is your opine as to what's best to do? Joseph I see so many advantages in a good situation but that it is my private opinion that I had better stay. I think he would find friends and perhaps be favoured more than some boys would. He is a very good boy in behavior. I think him to set in his own way about some things I not willing enough to take advice [right side] but I have found him ready to give up his wage just as soon as he was convinced it was not the best. I think he is in the most danger in [top of page] this point and needs admonition and caution. He has some of the elements of a great ?and we must look for its ? too.

The honey was all sold in a week or two 1 / per lb amounted to $ .17 or 18 as much sent every year would be quite a lift for you--without costing much.