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June 16th Dearest Johnny, Alas it gives me very much pain not to be able to comply with your just and reasonable? request. We are just as ready and desirous of going as you can be to have and would start at a moments warning, but what can[underlined] we do, at one time we did hope matters were mending a little, but at present our hopes are dispelled. Poor Sis gets scolded and chastened with locking up the parlor and forbidden to laugh? I & talk on the steps &c &c. dear Frank is found fault with continually and after he leaves the room. Pa says to us[underlined] that won't do if he does take care I will send him off as quick as that (snapping his fingers) but we do not tell Frank[underlined] that[underlined], yet I very much[caret] fear he will not be able to remain thro? his term, but not a hint of that to him, often he has so much work to do and if any thing is neglected, he hears of it, dear Johnny you have some idea of the wear & tear of such a life you cannot doubt? our sincere & earnest desire to leave it even if we had not the deeply affectionate wish to oblige you and to enjoy your presence and that of your dear family. I don't know whence Pa draws his conclusions that it is only one of John's freaks' so I suppose he must think there is no real necessity. As to Julius he gets along pretty well, he has a good farmer with him, and then he is out of the way Dr. Naset? has written to me that he is to sell a lot of mine and wants a deed? I gave Pa the letter about a month ago but he has said nothing about it. The?