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Sarah Montague June 18th 1843

                                  43?

My beloved Brother

                                                  I have just recieved your letter also one from Mary Powers both of which I perused with great interest. You directed it to Phillipston and Mother found it and sent it on to me. How glad I was to hear from you and to know that it was your own hand that penned those lines. O how I do want to see you. I reckon that I should chat a little for a while; but suppose I must be denied the favor. I suppose that you would like a description of my business this summer. Well I will try and give  it. I came to Montague May 10th ( in the stage and had a pleasant ride) and went to cousin Eliza Webster's and staid untill Monday morning some past 6 o'clock when Mr. Payne the agent of the district came to carry me to have the sentence passed upon me. I felt somewhat timid as you can readily imagine being amongst strangers and having to appear before 2 clergymen and another gentleman. However I made out much better than I expected and we made our way to the schoolhouse and I guess my heart beat as much as once or twice as I entered it; but I got along first rate and have what I call a pretty large school. I have 29 different ones besides two or three more that I expect will come some. I have 4 in Adams Arithmetic, 9 in Cobburns?, 4 in Grammar, 11 in Geography, and 12 that write, and 5 small ones which read, & the spelling book I am kept pretty much busy. Do not like to make their pens very well. I have one scholar that is larger than I am but not so old. I am to board around in the district and find first