.ODk.MjI4MDE

Lewiston Maine Dec the 28 - 1857 My Dear Cynthia. Nearly twenty months has lapsed since your last communication was duely received - not a week has passed since, but what I have thought of that smiling face of youres - and designed to make a reply. Procrastination is not a characteristic of mine onely through necessity, and under such circumstances you must pardon me for my hijinks - and take the will for the deed. Now how I wish I could exchange this pen ink and paper for a seat by your side, and tell you a thousand and one things that I cannot write. I hardly know where to commence to tell you anything. I have not heard from any of our old friends which were assembled on Saratoga for a long time except Mrs Manning Mrs Kellogg and Miss Safford - Mrs Manning wrote she had improved verry much in health - worked considerable - and walked a great deal and as far as her own personal self was concerned seamed well satisfied - but was laboring under great mental anguish about that Brother of hers that used to visit her while at the Mansion House - being insane and in the Brattleboro unclear Asylum - I pity her verry much she feels so bad. Mrs Kellogg is feeble yet though she is better in some respects. She