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not quite eighteen years old. Refinement ditto as Mr. Wiley. They have one child eight months old. I have from thirty to forty scholars: forty, for a week or more past. Lydia Giles, the oldest & Julia Mower the next. A hateful mortal, the latter is'nt she? I suppose you can sympathize with me in my trials concerning her, Oscar Whitcomb Charles Graffan & the like, most especially Oscar Whitcomb, "Seem if I should die" sometimes when he's reading. There are some exceeding bright ones, especially the Mowers girls & Barry Dudleys youngest, Emily.

             July 4th Visited at Berry Dudley's by invitation, & met there the Dudley girls. On being introduced by Mrs. Wiley, we saluted each other & not another word passed between us, till when they started home.  They asked me to call on them. I am not usually so stuffy, but in this case I am determined to "stand upon my dignity." I like Mrs. Berry Dudley very much. I am some acquainted at Mrs. Clark's. Have called on Mrs. Buchanan & Gullin's also up on the Kasey road. Must go up Garman way next week. I liked the appearance of folks at Mr. Kasey's, also at Mr. Mower's, but Mrs. M. is rather forbidding in her manner at first. I think I shall like her. I guess you did'nt visit enough, here did you? I close my school with singing. There are here some very good singers. I do love to hear little children's voices don't you? They have learned quite a number of new tunes since school commenced. I fear you cannot read this for I am very warm & tired & my hand trembles so, I write just as fast as I can. The boys were up to see me last Sabbath afternoon. Mr. Wiley's people have company every Sunday, laughing & carrying on. I have no table in my room & am forced to do all my writing in my lap, or go out in the warm kitchen, which is grievous. Every body has their disagreeable things to get along with you know. We have meetings here every Sabbath and S. School. Some of the Students preach. Folks don't turn out to meetings any hardly, & only a dozen, fifteen or twenty children attend S.S. 
             I should'nt think the Students would try to help them. I want you should write to tell me who are the clever folks here if you know. Also I want to know all about yourself. Do write me a long letter with lots of good advice. You know I am alone here. I have'nt seen the boys but once. I received a note from Joseph yesterday. He said he had written to you. Tell me all about your visit at Boston. I am infiniment obliged for your lettre Francais. Shall not dare attempt an answer in kind, at present. I am progressing slowly in French, as I have time & opportunity but I need a teacher. I do wish with you, that I could have the benefit of your Libraries. I long for something tor read. Have'nt any thing here hardly. How miserable poor wretches like me do feel, who have just been permitted to dip into the fountain of intellectual enjoyment, and therein to realize its sweetness  & then are obliged to stand aloof & see others drink their full. while they hunger & thirst. However, "I'm thankful for what I got, but I want some more."
            Mother writes that Mary Barnes is happy as a kitten. I feared she would be homesick. They take comfort there, I expect, but it is rather an unfavorable season for farmers, I should think. I fear Charles will not realize his expectations. He laid out pretty largely this year.
           Mrs. Wiley and I went out in "Uncle Sam's" pasture for Strawberries tother day & a wicked, unbroken, five year old colt came at us full speed, his ears lopped & looking cross as could be. We would throw clubs at him & then run till he got most to us & then throw things again & in that way we managed to get out of the pasture. I fainted almost away when I got out of the pasture, or came so near it that I saw "men as trees walking." I suppose we barely escaped with our lives. He would have stamped us under his feet if he had got to us. It makes me tremble every time I think of it.