.MTIxNA.OTQxOTE

to Milo and have Isaac come & you send money enough to pay the price for his board that you would have to pay at Foxcroft I could do Isaac more good than Lucy & she will have time enough to be here if she lives, Almeda may see the time when she'll need her help & be thankful for it, and, possibly I may sometime be in a situation to benefit her more than now, J. & A. feel poor and I wish it was in my power to pay my board constantly, I should be truly glad if I could pay all I owe them now; I expect to pay 1,75 this winter, I propose it rather than not have a fire & place to sit up stairs; I drink nothing but cold water, they are both rather opposed to sitting in the parlour but I have offered to pay all the additioned expense. Almeda would be really happy if she could have no one but herself and James in the family, and get down in the cellar kitchen with her work of all kinds all handy, if she could be sure nobody would come to see her all winter! to be serious I do think A. is too much shut up in herself and hus. and that if she did her duty in the sight of God she would long to "communicate" some good to others by Christian intercourse, what a duty that a person possessing the superior mind and talents that she does, should centre all her powers in her own self. She might, if imbued with the right spirit, by exciting her talents for conversation & by improving and communicating her knowledge she might do incalculable good in daily neighborly intercourse and be a great gaines herself too; I fear that Charles and I as well as she will have a great deal to answer for in not improving the talents and privileges committed to us; I am satisfied that it is sinful for Christians to hold back from duty because they are not sure that they shall act in the best manner or because it is trying; My School is just as it was when you left but I have some reason to hope that it will fill up in the course of the winter, for Miss Dorr close by James's shop) is going to give up her school 1st Jan. & I think it very probable that I may get some of hers though she has engaged to go round with another teacher and use his influence for him.