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                                                                                                                                                                  Milo Dec. 26th 1847.

Dear Brother Isaac

                 Your dear good long letters were joyfully rec'd a few days since, and now Sabbath evening after all have gone to rest but Mother and myself, I will begin a letter to you, not knowing however, when it will be completed. I do not often stop after commencing a letter until it is finished, but 'tis so late I shall write but a few lines tonight, and I am now expecting every day to go to Bangor. Have been waiting weeks for sleighing. We have had warm weather and frequent rains all the fall and winter thus far until within a few days. There is now a little snow - not so much however, but that waggons are used more than sleighs. People prophesy an open winter here abouts. The most agitating topic for the community in this vicinity is that the small pox is in Brownville. Two  cases of it there, and eight, I believe in a woods camp beyond. Was carried into the woods by a Mulatto. They have a hospital camp in the woods and are not supposed to bring any more out to Brownville. Dr. Shepherd has had the Varioloid. Our schools are all stopped for four weeks and Dr. Kimball is employed by the select men to vaccinate. 
  Some people are more easily frightened  than is meet, you know. We had no meeting today, and shall not probably have many all winter. No preaching at all but Mr. Jones; he has withdrawn his stated appointments, but will be here occasionally. Sorry, lonesome sabbaths. It is late, so with a mental kiss and good night to you I'll- stop.

Dec. 30th Evening. Will "try to attempt" to finish this letter tonight. Samuel and Oliver Furber spent last evening here. I have been at work three days and a half on my Herbarium ! Finished it - Alphabetical Index and all - today noon. That is, have just put in all my plants nicely, with descriptions etc. When you come home next spring I'll let you take it and fill

[left-hand side] I believe I shall have to refrain from writing much to you, for if I will write, Mother will not, and I know you want to hear from her too! [top of letter, upside down] Please remember my love my prayers and my blessing and my continual anxiety for your highest happiness but as Lucy is the scribe and will tell you whatever you desire to know of our affairs my letter if I think write one would be not much but Stale (not sage) advice therefore I will refrain from writing more at this time to my very Dearest Isaac from A.M.M.